The GEICO board of directors has named Gary McKenzie regional vice president of the company’s Macon (Ga.) Southeast operations, which manages policies for customers in seven states. He previously served as assistant vice president of underwriting at GEICO’s Fredericksburg, Va., regional office.

McKenzie is the first alumnus of GEICO’s Emerging Leaders Program to be named a regional vice president. He began his GEICO career as member of the 2004 ELP class at the company’s San Diego regional office. After rotating through several claims, sales and service positions, he was promoted to claims service manager in 2005.

He relocated to Fredericksburg in 2007 to serve as planning and control manager before being named regional sales manager in 2008. A year later, McKenzie was named service director at GEICO’s regional office in Buffalo, N.Y. In 2012, he was selected for a year-long executive assistant program at GEICO headquarters in Chevy Chase, Md.

McKenzie moved to Indianapolis in 2013 to help lead the company’s newest office. There, he served as sales and service director before being named assistant vice president in 2014.

“GEICO is fortunate to have such experienced and capable associates ready to take on these roles,” said GEICO President Bill Roberts. “I’m confident Gary will excel in this new role.”

McKenzie has a bachelor’s degree in business from Fresno State University and a master’s in business administration from Mississippi State University. He will graduate this May with a master’s in leadership from The Citadel.