People & Places

Willis names 1 SVP, 1 region leader and 2 risk advisors: Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, appointed Tanja Maffei as senior vice president of Willis North America International Practice. Maffei is now responsible for driving growth and leading quality control. The company also named Tyler Banks as western region leader for Willis's personal lines practice. Banks is now responsible for leading personal lines teams in Arizona, California and Washington. Willis also promoted Eric Massi and 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's head of risk management. Now he is responsible for providing best practice process and controls and developing more efficient regional and global operations.

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

Equity names VP: Equity Risk Partners named Kevin Blake vice president of employee benefits. Blake is based in Equity Risk Partners' Chicago office and is now responsible for driving growth in the firm's employee benefits practice, as well as developing and managing client relationships. Prior, Blake worked for Aon Hewitt as assistant vice president and client lead for the health and benefits practice.

Read on for Hires and Promotions at PIA Indiana, Fireman's Fund and Allianz, and TAPCO and Worldwide's Acquisitions

PIA Indiana hires 2: The Professional Insurance Agents of Indiana named Megan Vaught membership coordinator and Libby Gardner administrative coordinator. Vaught is now responsible for overseeing recruitment and retention programs, and member services. Gardner is now responsible for assisting with education programs.

Fireman's Fund and Allianz announce underwriting team: Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty—a Canadian Allianz affiliate company—named an underwriting team to further expand its entertainment division and capabilities in North America. On this team is Lynne Pepper and Natalie Reynolds—two entertainment underwriters; and Robyn McMahon, a customer service specialist.

Worldwide opens office, hires SVP: Worldwide Facilities announced it will open a Chicago office. The company hired David Fiske as the office's senior vice president while Worldwide attempts to expand into the Chicago marketplace. Prior, Fiske was the head of casualty for Crump.

TAPCO opens N.Y. office: TAPCO Underwriters, a Burlington, N.C., firm, announced it is opening a New York office. The company initiated an aggressive national growth plan 5 years ago, so New York is a strategic move. It currently serves 25 states and plans to serve 10 more by year end.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Worldwide acquires 3D Star and Privett Special Risk: Worldwide Facilities purchased the assets of 3D Star Insurance Services of St. Louis. Denise Dockendorf, president and principal of 3D Star, joined Worldwide in the acquisition. Worldwide also purchased the assets of Privett Special Risk Services, a New York City-based insurance wholesaler. Worldwide will keep 7 members of the Privett team: Don Privett, founder and president; Greg O'Connell, vice president; Peter Tichacek, broker; and Julie Stewart, Suzanne Quist, Beth Rogers and Nancy Davis, all members of the production and support staff.

Special Reports /

Hires and Promotions: Willis, CGSC, Mayer Brown, and More - Around the Industry

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