Hires and promotions at Interstate Insurance, Condon & Skelly, Utica, SIA Group - Around the Industry

Peoples and Places

4 promotions at Interstate Insurance Management: Larry E. DeFrances has been promoted to executive vice president, commercial auto underwriting manager for U.S. operations. DeFrances also is a member of the firm's management committee. Constance L. Kennedy has been promoted to vice president, binding underwriting manager. John A. Maurizio has been named treasurer-controller, and Dale W. Shirey has been promoted to senior vice president, CAT property specialist. Insterstate is a regional managing general underwriter, headquarterd in Johnstown, Pa.

Condon & Skelly names director: One year after aquiring Condon & Skelly, NSM Insurance Group named Jim Kruse its program director. Kruse previusly served K&K Insurance and founded MTK Specialty Insurance, which focused on specialty auto risks.

Utica promotes 3, names an officer: Three officers have been promoted to vice president at the Utica National Insurance Group: Steven D. Alcott, manger of product development; Steven E. Barry, director of research and budget; and William M. Walker, business segment manager for personal lines. In addition, James C, Kristoff, director of risk management technical and field services was named an officer of the company as assistant vice president.

SIA Group hires program manager: Morgan Markham joined SIA Group as program manager. She will oversee all marketing projets and strategies, employee recruiting and retention, and assist senior-level management.

Dante Disparte returns to Clements: Clements International appointed Dante Disparte director of partner solutions. Disparte will manage and develop the company's global broker and partner network, and identify new sales, channels, customer segments and markets. Disparte previously served the company as a broker.

Norman-Spencer appoints execs: Norman-Spencer Agency promoted Brian Norman to president, Porus Austin to chief oeprating officer, Pat Malone to director of the boat/yacht specialty division, and Greg Woryk to chief marketing officer.

NetVu names COO: The Network of Vertafore Users named Lisa Harrington, CPCU, AAI, vice president and chief operations officer. Harrington is a frequent contributor to AA&B's For the Manager column.

Assured Agencies hires SVP of business development: Paul Vredenburg has joined Assured Agencies as senior vice president of business development. Vredenburg comes to the company from Brown & Brown.

Sparta names chief underwriting officer: Brian D. First has succeeded the retiring Brian P. Mulroy as chief underwriting officer at Sparta Insurance Co. First joined Sparta from Discover Re.

Read on for mergers and acquisitions and new policies.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Doodson Broking Group acquires CSI Entertainment: Doodson Broking Group, an entertianment specialist in the United Kingdom, acquired Dallas-based CSI Entertainment Insurance to form Doodson Entertainment. The partnership will create the world's largest insurance broker for music and special events, extending to more than 10,000 concerts, 600 music festivals and 300 touring artists. The company also has provided specialized risk management for Lance Armstrong and the Radio Shack Cycling Team. James Chippendale, founder and chief executive of CSI Entertainment, will serve as president of Doodson Entertainment.

Trion Group acquired by RCM&D, Marsh & McLennan p&c: Insurance broker RCM&D acquired the commercial property and casualty insurance division of Trion Group Inc. Marsh & McLennan Agency acquired the other divisions at Trion. Trion was the largest privately held employee-benefits specialist in the country with $74 million in annual revenue.

Crawford & Co. acquires ClaimHub assets: Crawford & Co., the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, has acquired the assets of ClaimHub Inc.  ClaimHub's staff has been offered positions at Crawford. 

New Policies

Paragon Underwriters launches Cannabis Insurance Advisors: Paragon Underwriters, an independent Michigan insurance agency, launched a specialty insurance dvision Cannabis Insurance Advisors. Based in West Bloomfield, Mich., Cannabis Insurance Advisors assists dispensaries, compassion clubs, collectives, cooperatives, growers, certification centers, bakeries and all other related medical marijuana businesses.

Schinnerer launches railroad protective program: Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. launched its Railroad Protective program. The coverage offers monoline coverage designed specifically for railroad related exposures, including project specific coverage for individual contracts and coverage for private grade crossings on private property. It admitted, available in all states except New York and is offered through Chartis.

News

Lockton opens Charlotte, N.C. office: Lockton Charlotte will provide commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits services. Longtime Charlotte insurance advisors Blake Graeber, Adam Withers and Steve Montgomery have joined Lockton Charlotte as senior vice president, vice president adn senior vice president-unit manager, respectively.