People and Places

Wholesale insurance veteran to manage RT Specialtyoffice: RyanTurner Specialty (RT Specialty) announced theMark M. Smith has joined the firm as president andmanaging director of its New York office. Smith began his wholesalecareer in New York City with Trans World Excess, and spent sixyears with Horan Goldman managing their New York office.

Fireman's Fund Insurance announce newappointments: The Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has reportedthat David Zona is now the chief underwritingofficer and Kathleen Zortman is the chief fieldexecutive. Zona is responsible for setting the direction andpriorities for commercial and personal insurance product lines andhas primary accountability for driving profitable growth. InZortman's role she will lead the field underwriting, customerservice and sales teams to create a consistent experience forFireman's Fund agents and broker partners.

New chief underwriting officer for Zurich: MaryMerkel has been appointed as the regional chiefunderwriting officer for Zurich in North America. She replacesTim Carter, who left the company to pursue anotheropportunity.

FWCIGA adds new member to board of directors: TheFloridaWorkers' Compensation Insurance Guaranty Assn. hasnames Mark Hogle to its board of directors. Hogleis senior vice president and regional manager for EMPLOYERS'eastern region. He will serve a two-year term as a carrierrepresentative and responsibilities include oversight of theevaluation of workers' compensation claims transferred to the Assn.as the result of an insurer's insolvency, as well as makingrecommendations to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ofthe need for an assessment if necessary to pay claims of aninsolvent insurer.

Willis appoints CEO: Global insurance brokerWillisInternational has delegated TimWright as its chief executive officer. DavidMargrett, the current CEO of Willis, is leaving to pursueother interests. Wright joined Willis in 2008 as the Group ChiefOperating Officer and has over 20 years of international experiencein the insurance and financial services industries.

Lockton expands New York City office: Locktongrows its financial services insurance and risk management practicewith Derek M. Lakin a senior vice president in NewYork City. Lakin joins Lockton after more than 17 years with Marsh,most recently serving as Senior Vice President and Team Leader forthe broker's New York City Commercial FINPRO team. Hisresponsibilities included the placement and servicing ofpredominately Fortune 500 and large/mega cap business in theexecutive liability arena.

Hobbs to lead corporate development at Applied Systems:AppliedSystems, an insurance software company, reported thatRyan Hobbs has joined the company as senior vicepresident of corportate development. Hobbs is responsible forbusiness strategy and merger and acquisition initiatives at AppliedSystems, the major provider of insurance agency and brokermanagement software in the United States and Canada.

Hildebrand and Eichhorn to lead arBreckenridge: Breckenridge Insurance Group realigned its propertycasualty insurance operations naming William A.Hildebrand as president and CEO of Breckenridge InsuranceServices' brokerage division. Michael J. Eichhornwas also named executive vice president and COO of BreckenridgeInsurance Services.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Aspen and Brownstone join forces: Aspen US Insurance(Aspen) and BrownstoneInsurance Agency (Brownstone) have formed apartnership to bring their combined underwriting and claimsexpertise to the commercial residential property market. Thepartnership allows Brownstone to increase the depth of service andcoverage it offers and provides opportunity for expansion andinnovation.

Lockton and First Equity join to open office in SouthAfrica: Lockton and First Equity RiskManagement Services announce plans to form a new SouthAfrican joint venture company Lockton First Equity to providecommercial insurance brokerage services in South Africa. Theventure will service Lockton's retail insurance brokerage clientsin South Africa and also seek to combine Lockton's and FirstEquity's respective reputations and commercial capabilities togenerate new business in South Africa.