EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Add Pam Stoutenburgh and Dave Tate

Pam Stoutenburgh, property and casualty operations, principal, EPIC

Dave Tate, property and casualty operations, EPIC

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has appointed Pam Stoutenburgh and Dave Tate as principals, property and casualty operations.

Stoutenburgh and Tate will both be based in Dallas and report to the director and managing principal, Southwest region, KJ Wagner.

They will both be responsible for new business development and the design, placement and management of property/casualty insurance programs, providing risk management strategies and solutions for mid-market and larger clients, with a focus on Private Equity/M&A and the Construction and Real Estate industries.

Stoutenburgh has over 20 years of experience working with brokers such as Willis, Marsh and Aon.

“We are thrilled to continue the growth of our property & casualty team in the Southwest region with Pam’s addition,” said Wagner.

“She brings a strong risk management background that adds tremendous value to our clients. With her experience on the corporate side of risk management, she has a unique understanding of her clients and their ever-changing needs.  In addition, she has hands on experience managing M&A risk due diligence and post-closing servicing.”

Tate joins EPIC from Marsh where he focused on product liability issues and risk challenges in the Manufacturing, Construction and Energy industry.

“He brings a strong risk management background that adds tremendous value to our clients,” said Wagner of Tate. “Dave will be a terrific addition to EPIC.”

The Liberty Company Welcomes New Executive Vice President, Director of Information Technology 

Roy Caswell, executive vice president, director of information technology, The Liberty Company

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, a privately held broker, has welcomed Roy Caswell as executive vice president, director of information technology.

Caswell’s career in insurance began in 1992. He worked for American National Insurance before leaving to open his own agency. Since then, he has held many leadership positions in information technology for various firms such as Hull & Company, Marsh, and Insurance Office of America.

“More than ever before, technology is a critical component in the success of insurance brokerages in today’s competitive landscape,” said chief executive officer Jerry Pickett.

“Roy has a deep understanding of the opportunities that exist in this arena and we quickly realized that he was the right person to lead the advancement of The Liberty Company’s expansion and evolution into the future from a technological point of view.”

NTG Consultants Announces the Addition of Four Industry Legal and Regulatory Experts

NTG Consultants, a government relations agency focused on the insurance industry, has added four industry experts to its professional team.

Paul Zuckerman served as assistant deputy superintendent and counsel in the Office of General Counsel at the New York State Insurance Department.

Zuckerman headed the Department’s opinions and research section, ensuring that the Department’s opinions were consistent with the Insurance Law. He also was a prosecuting attorney, hearing officer and adjudication counsel at the Department adjudicatory hearings.  Mr. Zuckerman represented the Department at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on matters involving federal issues.

Doug Hartz has served dozens of state departments and different commissioners in various receivership, law firm and expert capacities since 1987.

He served as deputy commissioner for company supervision at the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.  There he covered the market and risk surveillance and analysis and examination of all insurers, health care services contractors, health maintenance organizations and other entity types to transact the business of insurance or other risk assumption in Washington State.

Joe Chvasta is a risk and reinsurance consultant who has worked with regulators and reinsurers to create a new captive association and risk retention group, negotiating three reinsurance treaties to support the program.

He has more than 20 years in property and casualty insurance as an underwriter, broker and risk consultant having worked for AIG, Aon and Zurich.  An attorney by training, he earned a CPCU and has been published by the CPCU Society and Insurance Advocate.

Jeff Hunt served as assistant deputy commissioner – financial regulation division – at the Texas Department of Insurance.

There, he oversaw licensing and monitoring of insurance companies throughout their entire lifecycle. He is a former board member for the Texas Workers Compensation Self Insured Groups Guaranty Fund, as well as a former Co-Chair of the NAIC National Treatment Working Group.

“We’re thrilled to be adding these seasoned industry professionals to our team to help meet our clients’ needs in all 56 insurance jurisdictions and at the federal level,” said Norm Taplin, NTG’s chief executive officer.

“NTG takes great pride in the experience and expertise we offer to represent and advise insurance companies to help them navigate legal and regulatory complexities, and these new team members will further enhance our capabilities.”

Jason Mahler Named to Holmes Murphy Leadership Team, Houston 

Jason Mahler, head of consulting and actuarial services, Holmes Murphy, Houston

Holmes Murphy has added Jason Mahler to its leadership in Houston. His official title is head of consulting and actuarial services. He will lead strategy throughout the Houston and central Texas markets.

Mahler has more than fifteen years of experience. Prior to joining Holmes Murphy, he acted as senior vice president, health solutions, Aon.

“We are very fortunate to be adding Jason to our Houston leadership team,” said Travis Brashear, vice president, south and central Texas markets leader. “Jason has a track record of delivering healthcare strategy to some of the largest employers in the US. He’s a true intellectual and an innovator in our industry.”

“I have worked in healthcare in Houston for my entire career, and the industry has never been more in need of creative and disruptive solutions,” Mahler said.

“Holmes Murphy is a fast-growing, private firm with an impressive team of health and benefits experts, and I am enthusiastic about the future that we are building.”

Mahler is a seasoned public speaker.

Beecher Carlson Names Brad Darr Client Solutions Leader  

Brad Darr, client solutions leader, Beecher Carlson

Beecher Carlson, specialized large account insurance broker, has appointed Brad Darr as client solutions leader.

Darr will work to connect the organization by facilitating and empowering teammates to challenge the status quo. He will do this by partnering with clients and collaborating in the ways they identify risks.  By working with the different product and industry groups, he aims to increase production and innovation.

“With Brad’s exceptional leadership skills and extensive industry experience, he will guide Beecher Carlson’s efforts to increase collaboration throughout our organization and within Brown & Brown,” said Joe Seich, chief executive officer.

“This increased collaboration will allow us to better communicate and educate our teams and clients about the unique solutions we continue to develop.”

Darr will report directly to Seich.

Vitech Appoints Gary Sherne as Chief Revenue Officer

Vitech, provider of cloud-based administration solutions, announced Gary Sherne’s appointment to chief revenue officer.

Sherne will be responsible for driving Vitech’s expanding business development, sales and marketing activities internationally and across all market sectors.

He will focus on opportunity as a market leader in cloud-available, revolutionary quote to claim administration services.

“We are relentless in our efforts to help organizations improve their customer experience, operational capabilities, market agility and digital offerings,” said Frank Vitiello, chief executive officer of Vitech.

“Gary’s unique talents, skills and enthusiasm will help us bring our solutions to more insurance, retirement and investment organizations, allowing us to make a much larger impact on the industries we serve in a much shorter time frame. This is a tremendous step forward for Vitech in our mission.”

Sherne has held previous C-Level and senior executive roles at StoneRiver, a Sapiens company and Fiserv.

“I look forward to expanding our sales and marketing operations, enhancing our partner network, and deepening our existing client relationships so that we can introduce our cloud-based solutions to the greatest number of organizations possible, worldwide, to help them achieve maximum transformational impact,” said Sherne.

Gina Bernardo Joins RT Specialty as Account Administrator

Gina Bernardo, account administrator, RT Specialty

Gina Bernardo has been named an account administrator within RT Specialty’s National Environmental and Construction Professional Liability Practice.

She will be responsible for working with the executive team to grow key lines of business and support their account management, claims and policy servicing activities.

“Gina has the initiative to not only grow, but thrive within this industry,” says Jefferey S. Lejfer, CPCU, President of RT New Day.

“Our goal is always to find the brightest and the best. Gina is another valuable addition that we are sure will help us reach the next level of growth and achievement through superb customer service and an unrivaled knowledge of the marketplace.”

Before joining RT Specialty, Bernardo served as an intern at Hartree Partners LP in New York City. She has a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey.

Risk Strategies Appoints John Mina to Chief Executive Officer 

John Mina, president, Risk Strategies

Risk Strategies, a privately held national insurance brokerage and risk management firm, announced that president John Mina has been named chief executive officer.

Until now, Risk Strategies founder Michael Christian served as chief executive officer. Christian is now moving into the executive chairman role.

Mina has been a key player in developing efficient processes and instituting a regional structure that has catalyzed the company’s growth. During Mina’s time as president, Risk Strategies has more than doubled in its number of employees, revenues and premiums placed on behalf of its clients.

“I’m excited for John to assume this new role,” said Christian. “Since joining the company, he has quickly demonstrated he has the right vision, skill set and experience to ensure the firm’s continued success as we move into our next chapter as a leading national brokerage firm.”

Mina has worked in the insurance industry for the entirety of his 30-year-career. He joined Risk Strategies in April 2017 from Willis Towers Watson. &