People & Places

Risk Partners Inc. named Tripp Craigits vice president of business development. Craigg has more than 25years of experience in alternative risk and specialty programs andwill help build out Risk Parter's specialty casualty placement andniche program business services.

Steve Handmaker was promoted to chief marketingofficer at Assurance. During his tenure at Assurance andmore than 20 years of professional marketing experience, Assurancesays Handmaker became a charismatic speaker, an expert in digitalmarketing within the industry, assisted Assurance's small businessand private insurance operations with his executive oversight andfinancial responsibility, and strongly influenced Assurance culturewith his pop-culture knowledge.

Maritime Program Group (MPG) welcomed two newcrew members. Dana Downes assumes the overallresponsibilities for all commercial recreational marine businesswritten with New Hampshire Insurance Co., North American Specialtyand Chubb as the vice president of MPG's Recreational Marinedivision. Shari Trefil has more than 23 years ofindustry experience and will work with new and existing brokerrelationships to cross-sell products and access markets and risksoutside of MPG's programs as a senior broker.

Ken Stanley will assume the newly created roleof senior vice president–distribution management and fieldoperations for PMA Cos. He has more than 25 years of industryexperience. In his new position, Stanley will execute PMA's agencydistribution strategy and lead its network of branch offices.

Wells Fargo Insurance chose JonLindstrom to fill the role of managing director for itsColorado offices. He will lead business development, client serviceand sales and cross-sell for the company's insurance operations inColorado. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2012, Lindstrom heldvarious positions at Willis Group Holdings and Arthur J. Gallagher.He also founded Lindstrom & Associates Inc., a commercialbrokerage firm based in the Denver Metro area.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Cochrane & Co. acquired J. L. Von Arx andAssociates, a surplus lines wholesaler headquartered in LosAngeles, Calif. The acquisition provides:

• A broader and deeper range of products and markets to meetbusiness needs
• A commitment to cutting-edge technology solutions
• Greater support and resources for J. L. clients
• A financially strong and conservative partnership withlong-term growth strategies
• Marketing, accounting and IT support teams

ConnectureInc. acquired DRX, a web-based shopping and enrollment systemsprovider for consumers of Medicare health plans those comparingname brand pharmaceuticals with therapeutic alternatives. Bothcompanies share a committment to making it less expensive forconsumers to to compare plans and enroll in the right one. Trendssuch as acceleration of senior enrollment into managed care and theincreasing utilization of competitive marketplaces in the privatesector attracted Connecture to DRX.

News

The RealTime/Download Campaign will hold its second Real Time Day onApril 9, 2013 to increase activity and awareness for theindependent insurance agent channel to save time and costs onindustry workflows. The day will update providers and carriersabout building profitability by using Realt Time and Downloadtools. Plans include:

• Web broadcasts featuring discussions with Real Time andDownload agent users and technology experts
• Webinars and educational events sponsored by agency managementsystems user groups
• Presentations by insurance carriers and vendors on using RealTime tools
• Contests and prizes to recognize success in Real Time andDownload usage and participation in Real Time Day.

The NationalAlliance for Insurance Education & Research announced theCertified School Risk Managers Program's (CSRM) plans to conductclassroom courses in Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan,Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey and Washinton as well as its16 original state offerings. CSRM provides the following CEapproved courses:

• Fundamentals of Risk Management
• Handling School Risks
• Measuring School Risks
• Funding School Risks
• Administering School Risks