LexisNexis Insurance: Movers & Shakers

Meckler Bulger & Tilson Selected as the First LexisNexis Expert Content Provider for Insurance

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:15:51 GMT

Meckler Bulger & Tilson (MBT) has joined an exclusive new LexisNexis insurance content development initiative: the LexisNexis Expert Content Provider Program for Insurance. The purpose of the program is to gather an elite group of thought leaders in the practice of insurance law to develop c

Majewski Appointed President and COO of Harleysville Life

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:07:49 GMT

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. -- Theodore A. Majewski has been named president and chief operating officer of Harleysville Life Insurance Company. In this new expanded role, Majewski also will continue in his leadership of Harleysville Insurance’s personal lines operations, a role he has held since 2003.

“I am

Jay Bullock Appointed CFO of Argo Group

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:04:14 GMT

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. on May 5 announced that Jay S. Bullock will join Argo Group as chief financial officer.

Bullock, 43, will be based in Bermuda and will report directly to Argo Group president and chief executive officer Mark E. Watson III. Bullock’s appointment w

Markel Reports First Quarter 2008 Results and Announces Election of Officers to New Positions

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:59:23 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. -- Markel Corporation on April 30 announced that its Board of Directors has elected Anthony F. Markel as Vice Chairman and Paul W. Springman as President and Chief Operating Officer effective May 1, 2008.

Markel has been asso

QBE the Americas Completes Acquisition of North Pointe Holdings Corporation

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:55:19 GMT

NEW YORK -- QBE on May 1 announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of North Pointe Holdings Corporation, a Southfield, Michigan based property and casualty insurance group.

This acquisition represents another significant event for QBE and will furth

Sagicor USA Appoints New Sales Director - East Division

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:50:44 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. -- Sagicor USA Inc. has appointed Rick D. Miller to the position of Sales Director - East Division of Sagicor Life Insurance Company. Miller will lead the growth and development of Sagicor Life Sales Division for the Eastern region of the United States. He will report directly to the Sagicor Life Insurance's Divisional General Manager, George Estock

CNinsure Announces Acquisition of Leading Insurance Agency and Expands its Business to Guangxi Province

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:48:24 GMT

GUANGZHOU, China -- CNinsure Inc. on May 5 announced the signing of definitive agreement to acquire 60% equity interests of Guangxi Xingfu Insurance Agency Co., Ltd., a leading insurance agency based in Guangxi Province. The acquisition also marks CNinsure's footprint in the 13th province.

NEW YORK -- Gary Hirschkron has been appointed President of AXA Partners, the life insurance business unit of AXA Distributors, LLC. based in Farmington, CT. The announcement was made May 5 by Jamie Shepherdson, Executive Vice President of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company and President of AXA Distributors, LLC., the company's proprietary life insurance and annuity wholesale distribution organi

Gilreath to Lead ING Employee Benefits Business

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:39:40 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Ivan Gilreath has been named president of ING Employee Benefits effective June 1, replacing Curt Olson, who was recently named chief executive officer for ING Life Korea, according to an announcement by Catherine Smith, CEO of ING's U.S.-based Life insurance businesses. Gilreath has been chief operating officer for ING Employee Benefits since joining the company in 2006.

WASHINGTON, DC -- John F. Rathgeber, president and chief executive officer of Arch Reinsurance Company, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Reinsurance Association of America on May 2, 2008.

Elected to serve with Rathgeber a

Former Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services Appointed Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:24:31 GMT

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has announced that former commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Health, Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., has been named vice president and chief medical officer of BCBSTX, effective May 30, 2008. Most recently, San

National Life Group Appoints Chief Financial Officer

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:20:44 GMT

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- National Life Group on April 29 announced the appointment of Edward J. Parry III as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Parry has been serving as the interim CFO since November and will assume his post May 1.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Judge William Maddux of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, approved a global settlement of over $100 million on April 28, 2008 on behalf of the 22 victims of the Chicago Loop office high-rise building fire in Chicago on October 17, 2003. Four victims were represented by attorney Daniel Kotin, partner at the law firm of Corboy & Demetr

AIG American General Appoints Durr Sexton President of Annuity Profit Center

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:09:18 GMT

HOUSTON, Texas -- AIG American General on April 28 announced the appointment of Durr Sexton as president of AIG American General’s Annuity profit center. Sexton, 50, will be responsible for setting strategy and direction for both the retail and group annuity business segments that offer deferred and immediate inco

H. Clay Bassett, Jr. Joins Navigators as Chief Underwriting Officer; CFO Paul Malvasio Retires

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:57:55 GMT

NEW YORK -- The Navigators Group, Inc. on April 28 announced that it has appointed H. Clay Bassett, Jr. as Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer of the Company. Bassett will be located in the Company’s executive office in Rye Brook, New York and report to President and Chief Executive Officer Stan Galanski.

STAMFORD, Conn. -- General Re Corporation on April 28 announced that Berto Sciolla has been promoted to Executive Vice President of General Reinsurance Corporation and Manager of General Re’s North America Treaty operation. J. Daniel Hickey, formerly Manager of Gen Re’s North America Treaty operation, has re

James Cornell Receives Award From State Bar of Texas Insurance Law Section

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:23:50 GMT

On March 27, 2008, James Cornell of Cornell & Pardue in Houston was presented with the "True Texas Legend in Insurance Law" Award by the State Bar of Texas Insurance Law Section. Cornell received the award at the insurance section’s annual meeting and seminar. He was a co-founder of the Insurance Law Section, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

NEW YORK -- Assurant, Inc. on April 28 announced that Bart Schwartz, 55, has joined the firm as executive vice president, chief legal officer and secretary, effective immediately. Schwartz will be responsible for Assurant's legal department and its compliance, government relations and internal audit functions.

RALEIGH, N.C. and SAN DIEGO -- Raleigh, N.C.-based BB&T Insurance Services on April 23 said it has reached an agreement with Union Bank of California, N.A., to purchase its San Diego-based insurance subsidiary, UnionBanc Insurance Services Inc.

The acquisition would expan

Folksamerica Re Announces Three Promotions

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:59:51 GMT

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- White Mountains Re Ltd. on April 23 announced three new promotions on the Folksamerica Reinsurance Company underwriting teams.

Melissa Emmendorfer has been named Chief Underwriting Officer of the Professional Liability, Clash and Workers Comp business. She has over 17 years of experience wor

Neal Wasserman Becomes President of Folks Re Solutions

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:57:13 GMT

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- White Mountains Re Ltd. on April 23 announced that John D. Liberator, President of Folksamerica Re Solutions, is leaving the company to pursue personal interests. Neal Wasserman will succeed Liberator as President.

Allan Waters, President and CEO of White Mountains Re Ltd., commenting

Guardian Announces Executive Appointments

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:53:08 GMT

NEW YORK -- The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America on April 23 announced the appointment of Lisa Powell to Vice President, Advanced Sales, Individual Products Distribution. Lisa joins Guardian from AXA Equitable.

In her new role, Powell is responsible for managing a c

Aon Corp Announces Appointment of Peter Breitstone as President and CEO of ASPN

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:48:34 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Aon Corporation on April 23 announced the appointment of Peter Breitstone as president and chief executive officer of Agency Specialty Product Network Insurance Services, Inc., effective April 22, 2008. Jerry Tegan, who has served as president and chief executive officer for eight years, will now serve as ASPN chairman.

Counsel To Counsel Best Practice Forum To Be Held By Martindale-Hubbell In Philadelphia on Regulatory Compliance May 7

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:53:15 GMT

On May 7, 2008, Martindale-Hubbell will hold a Counsel to Counsel Best Practice Forum entitled Facing Regulators at Home and Abroad. Hosted by

Martindale-Hubbell To Hold Counsel To Counsel Best Practice Forum In San Francisco on E-Discovery and Managing Electronically Stored Information May 7

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:20:30 GMT

On May 7, 2008, Martindale-Hubbell will hold a Counsel to Counsel Best Practice Forum entitled Increasing Predictability, Mitigating Risks: Next Generation Electronically Stored Information (ESI) Management and E-Discovery Approaches. The session will be held at the Pal

Gibraltar Names New Insurance Head

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:03:45 GMT

GIBRALTAR -- The Financial Services Commission on April 18 announced the appointment of Mr. Michael Oliver as the Commission’s new Head of Insurance. Oliver brings to the FSC over thirty years of international experience in the insurance industry. He replaces Chris Collins who will retire in October after a 6 years on the job.

Allianz Life Appoints New Senior Executives

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:48:18 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS--Allianz Life insurance Company of North America has added two accomplished senior executives to the leadership team of this $10 billion annuity, life insurance and long term care company.

Maureen Phillips has been named Chief Counsel, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and Deputy General Counsel, Allianz of America. In that role, she is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the Allianz Life legal function

Alliant Insurance Services Promotes Jim Castle to Group President of West Coast Commercial Brokerage Unit

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:38:40 GMT

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Alliant Insurance Services on April 17 announced the promotion of Jim Castle to Group President of Driver Commercial Group, its West Coast commercial brokerage unit.

In his new position, Castle will focus on expanding the specialty operations of the group, which services the various insurance needs of middle market businesses, providing property and casualty, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits.

W. R. Berkley Corporation Announces Executive Appointments at Acadia Insurance Company and Berkley Regional Specialty Insurance Company

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:34:15 GMT

GREENWICH, Conn. -- W. R. Berkley Corporation on April 17 named William M. Rohde, Jr. president of Acadia Insurance Company. Rohde succeeds Bill Thornton, who will now serve as chairman of Berkley Regional Specialty Insurance Company. Walter E. Stradley remains president of Berkley Regional Specialty. The appointments are both effective immediately.

Rohde comes to Acadia with more than 23 years of experience in the property and casualty ins

Brian Birmingham Joins AXA Equitable's Corporate Markets Business as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:28:11 GMT

NEW YORK -- AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co. on April 15 announced that it has hired Brian F. Birmingham, CFA, as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Corporate Markets, a business unit of AXA Equitable that provides retirement plan strategies and solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and their employees. The announcement was made by Bill McDermott, Executive Vice President of AXA Equitable and Head of Corporate Markets.

Birmingham will create and

Swett & Crawford Names Steve Sadler as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Sales

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:24:09 GMT

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Neal Abernathy, Chief Executive Officer and President of Swett & Crawford, on April 17 announced that Michael S. "Steve" Sadler has joined Swett & Crawford as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales.

The majority of Sadler's career was spent at Marsh & McLennan, the nation's largest retail insurance brokerage, where in his 29-year tenure he held a series of top-level, national management and sales pos

Aon Corporation Names Greg Besio as Chief Administrative Officer

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:06:16 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Aon Corporation, the leading global risk advisor and insurance broker, on April 17 announced that Gregory J. Besio, currently serving as Executive Vice President, Global Strategy, has taken on the additional role of Chief Administrative Officer. In this role, he takes responsibility for managing governa

Farmers Insurance Appoints Mhayse Samalya Executive Vice President and President, Farmers Business Insurance

LexisNexis Insurance Center Staff — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:43:21 GMT

LOS ANGELES -- Robert Woudstra, President and Chief Operating Officer, Farmers Group, Inc., on April 7 announced the appointment of Mhayse Samalya, former Farmers Senior Vice President Farmers Group, Inc. & President, Farmers Business Insurance, to Executive Vice President, Farmers Group Inc. & President, Farmers Business Insurance.

“Our goal is to establish Farmers as the Number 1 small business insurer in America, and we are confident Mh