People & Places

Starr announces division head, senior managingdirector: Starr Cos. named Bob Coords ashead of Starr Specialty Reinsurance, a divisionof Starr Indemnity & Liability Co. Coords's team, based out ofNew York, will concentrate on the agriculture sector, specificallythe crop business. The company also hired X. RickNiu as senior managing director of Starr Strategic Partners.Niu will focus on the insurance and investment needs of Asian andother emerging market companies and individuals.

IMUA names chairman, deputy chairperson and vicechairman: The Inland Marine Underwriters Assn. board of directorsnamed Peter Opinante as chairman of theboard, Michelle Hoehn of Travelers Group asdeputy chairperson and Bill Rosa of XLGroup as vice chairman. Previously, Opinante served as deputychairperson.

Zurich hires one to head Canada business:Zurich North America announced PatrickLundy as the head of its Canada Division for the NorthAmerica commercial division. Lundy will serve as chief agent andCEO for Zurich Canada, based out of Toronto.

Partners promotes one to VP: Partners Insurance Group, an affiliate of BayCoastBank, announced Cheryl Curt as vicepresident of personal lines and operations. Curt willoversee the Tiverton, R.I. Partners location, aswell as four in Massachusetts—one in each Swanseaand Somerset and two in Fall River.

Vertafore also promotes one to VP productmanagement: Software provider Vertafore namedMark Craig senior vice president of productmanagement. Craig will be responsible for developing andrefining product strategy. Prior, Craig worked as vicepresident of agency management systems product management.

AmWINS, NEBCO hire two: AmWINSGroup announced Jennifer Hetzel asassistant vice president and casualty broker last month.She specializes in hard-to-place casualty risks. In addition,NEBCO—an AmWINS Group Benefits division—hiredCatherine Colburn as director of association andaffinity sales. Colburn will oversee NEBCO North and South'sassociation of business.

Read on for more People & Places and NewPrograms and a new student scholarship

People & Places, continued

Affiliated appoints manager: AffiliatedInsurance Managers hired Heidi Forte to be commercial insurancemarketing manager. The company is currently expanding itscommercial insurance division. Forte will market new and renewalbusiness and manage insurance carrier relationships.

Applied opens new office: Applied Systemsannounced it will open a new southeast regional office in Atlanta. Withthe new office, the insurance software company also will increaseits staff.

New Programs

Brownyard introduces E&O for PCOpro:Brownyard Group introduced E&O coverage for itsPCOpro pest control program. The newprogram protects against claims seeking monetary damages dueto pest control operator negligence.

Maritime launches program with Swiss Re:Maritime ProgramGroup announced a motor truck cargo program with Swiss Reinsurance Co.The program is available nationwide and focuses on risks with 1 to15 units, but can consider risks of all sizes. Long and short haul,refrigeration breakdown, unscheduled vehicles, shipper'sendorsements and terminal coverage are all included.

News

RHS&B establishes scholarship: Roach Howard Smith &Barton established a scholarship to honor CEO and Chairman Karen K. Farris. Established with theTexas Risk & insurance Professional Society, the fund will beawarded to students majoring in risk and insurance management atthe University of North Texas. Two scholarships of $1,250 willbe given over 4 years.