The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)board of directors appointed three new members for 2017:

• Al Redmer Jr. – Maryland insurancecommissioner

• Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer – Rhode Islandsuperintendent of insurance

• Larry D. Deiter – South Dakota insurancedirector

"Their combined experience and commitment to the U.S. regulatoryinsurance system will be a great benefit to the NIPR board ofdirectors," says Roger A. Sevigny, NIPR board president and NewHampshire insurance commissioner of the appointments.

Bill Wilson, CPCU, ARM, AIM, AAM has launchedInsuranceCommentary.com, a free educationalweb site that features a blog on P&C insurance industry issues.According to Wilson, the web site is a "source of relevant, timelyand accurate insurance information, from coverage interpretationsto expert opinions on industry issues."

Centerville, Ohio-based P&C insurance providerNorman-Spencer Agency, Inc. said Northern StarManagement, Inc., acquired in 2014, will now operate as thetransportation division of Norman-Spencer. Northern Star'sspecialty haulers, auto transporters, towing, and collateralrecovery programs will now be part of the new transportationdepartment.

University Park, Illinois-based AppliedSystems announced The Cincinnati Insurance Companies will utilizeits insurance quoting application Applied Rater to automate personal auto andhome quoting for agencies nationwide.

TheIHC Group repurchased 243,000 shares of its commonstock for $20 per share, for a total of $4,860,000. IHC has beenrepurchasing stock in open-market purchases under its repurchaseprogram.

New York City-based risk management nonprofit Spencer EducationalFoundation announced 40 companies will have theopportunity to hire a summer risk management intern thanks to a$5,000 grant from the Foundation. Sponsors of this year's programare Allied World, RIMS Atlanta Chapter, the RIMS Northeast FloridaChapter and the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS).

USIInsurance Services, a Valhalla, New York-basedinsurance brokerage and consulting company, has acquiredAccelerated Benefits, the largest insurance agency in central Ohio.Accelerated Benefits and its employees will remain its currentDublin, Ohio location. Terms of the transaction were notdisclosed.