(Bloomberg) -- Gen Re promoted JohnBrogan to chief executive officer of an aviation unit as thereinsurer at Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. phases in anew generation of leadership.

Brogan replaces David McKay, who plans to retire in April afteralmost 40 years at United States Aviation Underwriters, the companysaid in a statement Thursday. Brogan is currently the president andchief operating officer, overseeing underwriting and claimsoperations.

Ajit Jain, one of Buffett’s top deputies at Berkshire, has beenshuffling management at Gen Re since taking responsibility for thebusiness this year. Tad Montross, who previously led the reinsurer,announced his departure in April, and Jain promoted Kara Raiguel torun that operation in May.

Berkshire was among the five largest insurers for aircraft risksin the U.S. and Canada in 2014, and competes with firms includingAmerican International Group Inc. and Allianz SE for that business,according to data compiled by the National Association ofInsurance Commissioners.

The market for aviation insurance was about $1.7 billion ofpremiums written in 2014. That year included losses by MalaysiaAirlines and TransAsia Airways Corp. and was “tumultuous” forinsurers, but the industry started to stabilize in 2015, accordingto a report from Wells Fargo & Co.

‘Unique perspective’

The aviation insurer “benefits greatly from John’s leadership andvision for the future,” McKay said in the statement. “He brings aunique perspective to the task ahead of him. Under his direction,USAIG will continue as a global leader in aviation insurance.”

McKay has previously worked at Aerospace Management ServicesInternational, and held roles including chief underwriter and chiefoperating officer while at United States Aviation Underwriters,according to the statement. Brogan joined the company in 1997, andwas promoted this year to president and COO.

USAU is a subsidiary of Gen Re and manages UnitedStates Aircraft Insurance Group, which is a pool of insurersincluding Chubb Ltd. and Liberty Mutual Holding Co. according toits website.

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