Hires, Promotions and Association Elections at Grange Insurance, Highmark Insurance, Markel, CPCU Society and PIA - Around the Industry

People & Places

Dave Medvidofsky was elected as 2012-2013 president of the CPCU Society at its annual meeting and seminars in Washington, D.C. Medvidofsky serves as vice president and head of the internal audit unit at The Main Street America Group and has filled many positions there during his 21-year tenure.

PIA assocs. of New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire chose Kelly K. Norris to fill the position of deputy director. She has 20 years of industry experience and was previously executive director of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers Inc. and executive director of the New York State Consumer Finance Association.

Grange Insurance named Ken Lin vice president, chief actuary. He succeeds Curt Parker, who will remain senior advisor to the president and CEO until his retirement in February of 2013. Mr. Lin brings 15 years of actuarial experience to the position, 7 of which he served with Grange after joining the company in 2005.

Julia R. Babbit was promoted to president of Highmark Insurance. She previously served as the agency's executive vice president and has helped the company strengthen its regional influence on Florida's East Coast for the past 6 years.

Markel announced the apppiontment of Jake Kouns to its Cyber Security Advisory Committee, which meets to research, study and make recommendations on assigned technology and security topics. Kouns is internationally known as a leading expert in data breaches and has presented at security conferences, written several books on the topic and holds a number of industry certifications.

Mergers & Acquisitions

National Financial Partners Corp. (NFP) acquired Lane McVicker (LMV), a provider of personal lines property-casualty insurance to high net worth clients. The transaction is consistent with NFP's strategy to grow its influence in the property-casualty business and will allow LMV customers to benefit from enhanced quality and diversity of services available nationwide.

New Programs

IronHealth launched two financial risk products aimed at healthcare organizations. Provider Excess Insurance (PEI) and HMO Reinsurance (HMORe) are the company's response to changes in the healthcare sector as providers and HMOs assume additional risks.

Insurance Noodle, part of Willis North America, announced the availability of its immediate personal lines quoting hub. The hub allows insurance agents to login and complete an online application to get real-time quotes for home and auto risks in 38 states. Agents can also use the hub to easily access their Insurance Noodle book of business.

News

The Daniel and Henry Co. will open a Chicago office with the addition of veteran producers Steve Lorenzini, Doug Marcheschi, Bill Durkin, Michael Sobel, Richard Blumberg, Tim Lain, Marc Alberico, Jeffrey Oostema, Mike Blumberg and other professional staff members. The new office will deepen the resources and services available to clients and strengthen the company's position in the industry marketplace. The Daniel and Henry Co. is headquartered in St. Louis, Miss.

Sterling & Sterling Inc. announced a joint venture with The Hyde Agency, to be called SterlingHyde Group. The entity will use its combined experience of more than 170 years in the surety and insurance businesses to oversee placement of multi-million dollar construction insurance and surety bond programs to a wide array of domestic and international clients.

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