Managing people and projects from across the hall is tough enough. Managing people and projects from different cities, states, time zones, or countries is infinitely more difficult. You might as well be on different planets.

William J. Marino, the longest serving CEO of a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, is retiring as chairman and CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, effective March 1, 2001, the company announced.

When you talk to people, are you focused on the transaction or your interaction? A transactional encounter is one where you’re going through the motions to get the task or the discourse done. Maybe you are texting, talking on the phone to someone else or just dazed and confused, but the bottom line is that you’re not engaged with the other person or the process. Interaction occurs when two people are engaged in a dialogue or actively participating in the process.

Donald Segal, vice president of Aon Hewitt, has become the 62nd president of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), taking the role at the organization’s annual meeting in New York.

Derek Cooper of EarthNet in Roanoke, Va., will lead the Roanoke Claims Association for its 2010-2011 year.

There are times that require a business person to be selfish — not just for his or her benefit, but for benefit of the employees with whom he or she works.

Markel Corp. announced a new management structure that the company said allows for future succession among its leaders, including the creation of a new Office of the President.