Hires and Promotions at Willis, XS Brokers, Swett & Crawford - Around the Industry

People & Places

Willis North America of Willis Group Holdings announced appointments to its Personal Lines Practice as part of a succession plan. Tyler Banks was appointed national practice leader and CEO, replacing Sarah Bravo, who will be retiring. Kim Connell was named chief operating officer, Willis Personal Lines. Max Gilman and Mike Smerkanich also will be joining the Willis Personal Lines leadership team. The company also named James DeCourcey as senior vice president, regional healthcare practice leader, Willis of Massachusetts. DeCourcey previously served as principal at Integro Insurance Brokers and has more than 15 years of experience in the health care area.

XS Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. hired Steve DiBattisto as senior broker/sales manager and Suzanne Averille as senior account executive.

Swett & Crawford announced several appointments in offices across the country. Gina Kerpon joined Swett & Crawford as a transportation underwriter in the company’s expansion of its Transportation Practice Group in Dallas, Texas. Shelbi Nicholson was appointed as property broker to the Property Practice Group in Seattle, Wash. Alex Mazza joined the New York office in the enhancement of Financial Services.

New Programs

The Main Street America Group introduced a commercial product line, featuring its Main Line Business Owners Policy, to independent agents representing Austin Mutual Insurance Co. in Wisconsin.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Digital Insurance acquired Fallick Insurance Services, which will join the Los Altos/Silicon Valley office of Digital Benefit Advisors, a division of Digital Insurance. Clients of Fallick Insurance will be sustained by improved services and expanded resources. 

News

Officers were elected at the 83^rd Annual Meeting of the Inland Marine Underwriters Assn. Kevin O’Brien and Lillian Colson were re-elected to serve as president and CEO and vice president and secretary respectively. Peter Opinante, Swiss Re America, was inaugurated for a second term as chairman, and Michelle Hoehn, The Travelers Group, is to serve a second term as deputy chairperson.  William Rosa, XL Reinsurance, was elected as vice chairman. The board of directors for the Class of 2015 was also announced, including James Cunningham, Markel Group; Diane Shelton, Catlin U.S.; and Grace Thomas, Great American.  Members of the board to fill vacancies of the Class of 2015 are Sheila O’Keeffe, Gen Re; Joseph Rich, Liberty Mutual; and Michelle Sipple, AIG.  Tim Brockett of Munich Re America will fill vacancies of the class of 2014.