People on the move in the P&C insurance industry: Dec. 23, 2016

The Alexandria, Virginia-based Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America said it has appointed Brian R. Bixby president. He succeeds Lisa K. Lounsbury, who recently assumed the position of interim president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc.

Bloomington, Illinois-based actuarial and management consulting firm Pinnacle Actuarial Resources Inc. said it has appointed Linda K. Brobeck senior consulting actuary at its San Francisco, California office. She joins from Brobeck Analytics Consulting, LLC where she served as principal.

Richfield, Ohio-based National Interstate Insurance Co. said it has promoted George Skuggen to senior vice president and has appointed Steve Blankenship vice president, passenger transportation. Skuggen previously served as vice president, truck group and environmental transportation group. Blankenship joins from AIG where he served as vice president and national mining practice leader.

Fenton, Missouri-based moving and storage industry insurer Vanliner Insurance Company said it has promoted Matthew Grimm to president. He previously served as vice president, passenger transportation.

Zurich-based property and casualty insurer Chubb Ltd. said it has promoted Jeffrey Updyke to regional manager for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the company's commercial insurance division in North America. He previously served as regional chief operating officer for the Northeast Region.

London-based adjusting and claims management company Cunningham Lindsey said it has appointed John Gragson vice president and director of U.S. catastrophe operations. He joins from Safeco Insurance where he served as catastrophe claims ops manager.

London-based advisor firm and brokerage Willis Towers Watson said it has promoted Mary O'Connor head of client and business development. She will continue to head the global financial institutions industry group.

Chicago-based insurance brokerage Hub International Ltd. said that it has made the following promotions:

• Neil Hughes to president of U.S. North Region.
• Lerone Sidberry to president of the Midwest division.
• Michael Booth to chief sales officer.

Hub International also said it has appointed Seth Hopkins chief marketing officer and property & casualty practice leader. He joins from Chubb where he served as vice president and Midwest regional marketing manager.

Tampa-based homeowners' and reinsurance company HCI Group, Inc. said it has appointed Mark Harmsworth senior vice president of finance. He joins from JMH Consultancy Group, LLC where he served as president of financial services and technology.

Irving, Texas-based NetVU, a nonprofit networking organization for users of insurance software company Vertafore, said it has appointed Lynn Walsh Albertson business development coordinator. She joins from Applied Client Network where she served as director of business development.

The Gahanna, Ohio-based Ohio Insurance Agents Association, Inc. said it has promoted Jeff Smith to CEO. He previously served as director, government affairs and general counsel.

Reno, Nevada-based Employers Holdings Inc. said it has appointed Michael S. Paquette executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, 2017. He joins from Blue Capital Reinsurance Holdings Ltd. where he served as chief financial officer.

Atlanta-based agent and broker consulting firm Reagan Consulting said it has appointed Paula Williams research director. She joins from Deloitte where she served as senior consultant.

Cayman Islands-based reinsurer Greenlight Capital Re Ltd. said it has promoted Leonard Goldberg interim CEO, effective March 31, 2017. He will replace Barton Hedges when he steps down.

Neenah, Wis.-based Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. said it has appointed Kathryn Sieman chief financial officer and treasurer. She joins from Secura Insurance where she served as executive vice president and CFO.

Brentwood, Tennessee-based insurance services company Brentwood Services Administrators said it has appointed Theresa Vinson senior claim representative in its Raleigh office. She joins from CorVell Corporate where she served as a claim specialist.