Paul Hering, managing principal and chief executive officer ofBarney & Barney LLC, announced that Jim O'Connell has joinedthe San Diego-based firm as a principal.

Mr. O'Connell will serve as development director for Barney& Barney Programs--Specialty Insurance Solutions division, theinsurance brokerage said.

In that position Mr. O'Connell will be responsible for bothregional and nationwide expansion of new and existing programs bydeveloping collaborative solutions that provide discernable valueto carriers, brokers, and the insurance buyers, the firm said.

Mr. Hering said in a statement that Mr. O'Connell "understandsthe market and how to create programs that provide value to buyers,while also providing needed margins to our carrier partners."

Barney & Barney, said Mr. Hering, will benefit from Mr.O'Connell's "understanding of the needs of carrier facilities thatprovide capacity, underwriting, and distribution authority toprogram administrators."