New Hires and Promotions at Aspen Re, Willis North America, Marsh and More - Around the Industry

People & Places

Tom Meyer joined Aspen Re's Specialty reinsurance team. Prior to joining Aspen, he spent six years with Willis Re and four with Allianz in various broker and underwriting roles. He will maintain his responsibilities for overseeing the Marine and Terrorism reinsurance business.

Willis North America strengthened its brokerage operations in Columbus, Ohio with a series of appointments: Jeff Orlando will assume the role of client advocate – human capital pratice and will be responsible for development and expansion of Willis' outreach in the employee benefits marketplace. Diane Snyder was appointed client service team leader – human capital practice and will oversee operations and client services functions in Columbus. Ellie Mast was appointed placement & finanical team leader – human capital practice. Prior to joining Willis she served as a consultant for Mercer. Jamie Dunston was appointed claim consultant – strategic outcomes practice and recently worked at DPDHL Global Business Services as senior claims adjuster.

Brenda Shelly, a veteran management liability broker and underwriter, was promoted to the position of US D&O liability product leader at Marsh. She will be responsible for developing and delivering technical expertise and content to Marsh clients and colleagues.

NationAir Aviation added Jason Little to its team of aviation insurance professionals as a sales executive. He will handle the company's agricultural and general aviation insurance sales in the southeast.

Janet Vreeland was named vice president of new business development and account leadership at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. Her past experience includes more than 10 years at Aon Risk Insurance Services, where she earned a rating of 100 percent client satisfaction through Aon's Client Net Promoter scoring system.

JLT Specialty Limited hired Penny Jepson to manage its new residential real estate offering. The hire continues to build upon JLT's experience and expertise. Jepson was recently head of business at Deacon.

Steven Sternberg, senior vice president of business development for BankDirect Capital Finance, will be presented PIANY's Industry Professional of the Year award at the annual Metropolitan Regional Awareness Program on January 31, 2013. The award recognized an individual who has demonstrated qualities that foster a strong working relationship with agents and brokers, and who has exemplified a commitment to professionalism and service.

Mergers & Acquisitions

USI Insurance Services acquired Welsch Flatness & Lutz. Inc and Construction Insurance Partners, two middle-market brokers based in St. Louis, Miss. The merger will enhance cross-selling opportunities for Welsch and Construction while providing them with national reach. USI will benefit by broadening its suite of insurance solutions.

Houston International Insurance Group (HIIG) completed its acquisition of Axiom Insurance Managers. Axiom is headquartered in Chicago, Ill. and is an underwriting manager specializing in the hospitality industry. Axiom will continue to underwrite on HIIG paper.

New Programs

Business Risk Partners (BRP) created a technology E&O product with built-in data breach/privacy coverage for tech service providers. The target market includes website designers, engineers, software developers and emerging tech firms. Small and Middle market companies nationwide can also opt for a stand-alone data breach/privacy coverage option. The policies will be underwritten by Liberty International Underwriters and includes:

• Legal liability (third party) and direct loss
• Cybercrime expenses
• Proactive loss mitigation services
• An innovative first responder concept.

All Risks introduced an ice rink product called RinkPro. The program can be tailored to a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities and includes rinks featuring restaurants/snack bars and equipment/sporting goods stores. Acceptable classes include rinnks with ice hockey, ice skating or figure skating camps, leagues and tournaments as well as non-ice sports. Coverages include:

• GL
• Sexual abuse & molestation
• Liquor liability
• Property including building replacement costs, buried piping and equipment breakdown
• Indoor/outdoor glass coverage
• Inland marine and pollution liability for ice resurfacing equipment
• Workers' comp
• Umbrella.

CFC launched a fully combined modular policy, WEB, designed for online retailers. CFC believes this proposition is unique and comes at a time when online shopping continues to grow its market share at “unprecedented” rates. WEB will offer cyber exposures such as network security, privacy, breach notification and cyber liability as well as cover for media and advertising exposures and a multi-media liability insuring clause.

News

Houston International Insurance Group (HIIG) announced a reorganization of its domestic underwriting operation. The operation will be re-branded under the HIIG symbol, and the following divisions were created in the hopes of better identifying specialty products offered:

• HIIG Construction
• HIIG Engery
• HIIG Professional
• HIIG Specialty.

The CPCU Society launched its new website and announced its new logo, which can be viewed at www.cpcusociety.org. New website features and enhancements include:

• Streamlined navigational menus
• Content teasers to encourage engagement
• Enhanced search interface with filtering capabilities
• Community groups for each interest group
• “Share this” functionality.