Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon Corporation, promoted Shawn Ram to national technology practice leader. For more than 10 years, Ram has worked with many clients in Silicon Valley and across the country to deliver risk advisory services.

According to Forrester Research, in the year 2010, the U.S. technology sector grew nearly twice as fast as the overall economy and in 2011, that trend is expected to continue. This growth is the result of investments in cloud and smart computing solutions, which will provide the tools for companies to grow profits.

"This continued boom opens the door to challenges and opportunities for our clients in 2011," said Ram, in a press release. "Evolving risks, such as those emanating from social media, cloud computing and privacy issues will continue to challenge organizations, and clients who manage these risks now will be a step ahead of competitors."

"Aon is optimistic about the technology industry this year," said John Willett, Aon Risk Solutions' national practice leader, in a press release. "We are looking to Shawn's continued leadership in this segment to further develop Aon's expertise in meeting our clients' needs."

For both middle market and Fortune 100 technology organizations, Aon Risk Solutions' Technology Practice addresses risk exposures, identifies insurance solutions and provides risk program design, risk quantification and analysis. To ensure both client satisfaction and growth in the technology segment, Ram will lead delivery of Aon's strategies. He will also look after the brokerage, product development and service quality for Aon's technology clients. These new responsibilities build upon Ram's proven expertise in directors' and officers' liability, patent infringement risks, cyber liability and privacy.

Ram holds a graduate degree from Brigham Young University. He is also actively involved with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Founder Institute – a startup accelerator and entrepreneur training program, and the Churchill Club, a Silicon Valley business and technology forum.