Hires and promotions at Nautilus, Ag States and Lockton - Around the Industry

People & Places

Nautilus promotes two: Raymond J. Hall has been promoted to vice president of marketing at Nautilus Insurance Group. He previously served as assistant vice president of underwriting, central region. In addition, the company promoted Craig N. Williams to vice president of underwriting, mountain region. Williams began his career with the company in 2001, most recently serving in the same region in the assistant vice president role.

Ag States names president: Ag States Group, an insurance and risk management subsidiary of CHS Inc., anounced that Keith Illa has been named president of Ag States Group effective Feb. 1. Illa succeeds Corwin Tufte who served as president of Ag States Group and its predecessor companies for the past 20 years. Illa joined the company in 2008 as sales director.

Lockton hires SVP: Michael F. Power has joined Lockton as senior vice president and northeast real estate practice leader, based in the company's Manhattan offices.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Markel completes THOMCO acquisition: Markel Corp. completed the previously announced acquisition of Thompson Insurance Enterprises. THOMCO will continue to operate as a separate business unit with Greg Thompson and Bob Heaphey, THOMCO's current chairman and president, leading the operation. The operating unit will be part of Markel Specialty.

Neace Lukens acquisition: Neace Lukens completed its acquisition of Berryman Insurance Agency of Hartford, Ky. Berryman offers auto, home, property, liability, workers compensation, life and health insurance. It also has offices in Owensboro and Hardinsburg.

New Policies

Momentous launches equine specialty program: Momentous Insurance Brokerage now provides insurance solutions for private horse owners and horse-related businesses through its Equine Specialty Practice. Products include: personal equine liability, commercial equine liability, equine mortality coverage and farm/ranch.