Safeco Appoints Mikolajewski and Vargas to Leadership Posts in California

Seattle-based Safeco has named Tim Mikolajewski general manager for the state of California, responsible for the profit-and-loss performance of the company’s insurance products; and Juan Vargas was appointed vice president of external relations for California.

Mikolajewski will add the general manager role to his current duties as head of Safeco Surety. A 22-year company veteran, he has held a variety of management positions with the company, including manager of Surety’s California operations from 1986 to 1994.

Vargas joins Safeco after a career in California state politics. He will lead the company’s public policy strategy and will serve as a primary liaison between the company and California state officials, community leaders, and other businesses and associations. Vargas is leaving the California State Assembly after three terms in office.