People & Places

Willis names 1 SVP, 1 region leader and 2 riskadvisors: Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings,appointed Tanja Maffei as senior vice president ofWillis North America International Practice. Maffei is nowresponsible for driving growth and leading quality control. Thecompany also named Tyler Banks as western regionleader for Willis's personal lines practice. Banks is nowresponsible for leading personal lines teams in Arizona, Californiaand Washington. Willis also promoted Eric Massiand Valerie Soubra to personal risk advisors.

CGSC appoints head of operations: Cooper Gay Swett &Crawford promoted Gavin Southwell to head of operations. Prior, Southwell was CGSC'shead of risk management. Now he is responsible for providing bestpractice process and controls and developing more efficientregional and global operations.

Mayer Brown hires 2 partners, co-leaders: Theglobal law firm Mayer Brown named both Stephen Rooneyand James Woods as partners and co-leaders of theinsurance finance group and the insurance industry group, respectively.Rooneycurrently is a member of the firm's banking and finance practice.Prior, Rooney worked as a partner at Dewey & LeBoeuffor more than 20 years. Woods also is a member ofMayer Brown's corporate and securities practice. He will split histime between the Palo Alto, Calif., and the New York City offices.Prior, Woods also was a partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Equity names VP: Equity RiskPartners named Kevin Blake vice president ofemployee benefits. Blake is based in Equity Risk Partners' Chicagooffice and is now responsible for driving growth in the firm'semployee benefits practice, as well as developing and managingclient relationships. Prior, Blake worked for Aon Hewitt as assistant vice president and client leadfor the health and benefits practice.

Read on for Hires and Promotions atPIA Indiana, Fireman's Fund and Allianz, andTAPCO and Worldwide'sAcquisitions

PIA Indiana hires 2: The Professional InsuranceAgents of Indiana named Megan Vaughtmembership coordinator and Libby Gardneradministrative coordinator. Vaught is now responsible for overseeingrecruitment and retention programs, and member services. Gardner is nowresponsible for assisting with education programs.

Fireman's Fund and Allianz announce underwritingteam: Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. and Allianz GlobalCorporate & Specialty—a Canadian Allianz affiliatecompany—named an underwriting team to further expandits entertainment division and capabilities in North America. Onthis team is Lynne Pepper and NatalieReynolds—two entertainment underwriters; and RobynMcMahon, a customer service specialist.

Worldwide opens office, hires SVP: Worldwide Facilitiesannounced it will open a Chicago office. The company hiredDavid Fiske as the office's senior vice president whileWorldwide attempts to expand into the Chicago marketplace. Prior,Fiske was thehead of casualty for Crump.

TAPCO opens N.Y. office: TAPCOUnderwriters, a Burlington, N.C., firm, announced it is openinga New York office. The company initiated an aggressive nationalgrowth plan 5 years ago, so New York is a strategic move. Itcurrently serves 25 states and plans to serve 10 more by yearend.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Worldwide acquires 3D Star and Privett SpecialRisk: Worldwide Facilities purchased the assets of 3D Star InsuranceServices of St. Louis. Denise Dockendorf,president and principal of 3D Star, joined Worldwide in theacquisition. Worldwide also purchased the assets of Privett Special RiskServices, a New York City-based insurance wholesaler. Worldwidewill keep 7 members of the Privett team: DonPrivett, founder and president; GregO'Connell, vice president; PeterTichacek, broker; and Julie Stewart,Suzanne Quist, Beth Rogers andNancy Davis, all members of the production andsupport staff.