AmTrust Title Insurance Expands Energy Team with Lou Canaras, Mellissa Atle and Rob Concepcion

Mellissa Atle, vice president, energy division, AmTrust

Rob Concepcion, vice president of business development, energy division, AmTrust

AmTrust Title Insurance Company, an insurance holding company that is a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services is expanding the energy team within its National Commercial Division, with the hiring of Lou Canaras, Mellissa Atle and Rob Concepcion.

Together, they bring an average of 20 years of underwriting and production experience to the team. 

“This extremely knowledgeable and experienced team was added to address some of the most complicated transactions in the real estate industry, with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake per transaction. A typical energy project presents complex underwriting issues that can involve thousands of acres with acquisition, easement, mineral estate, access, development and project finance challenges. There is no room for error in the transaction process,” said Jason Gordon, President of AmTrust Title Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial.

“This team has successfully insured hundreds of these transactions.”

As SVP and underwriter for the energy division, Canaras will be overseeing the team of underwriting, sales and production specialists. He served as senior vice president, senior underwriter and director at another major title underwriter prior to taking this position and he has extensive experience  in underwriting energy related transactions.

Atle will serve as vice president of the energy division. In this position, she will lead and oversee a team of six energy project coordinators. Her experience in the in the title industry spans nine years and includes managing multi-million dollar transactions involving wind, solar, LNG, transmission lines, and other energy-related sectors. 

Concepcion will round out the team as vice president of business development for the energy division. His previous roles include stints as a real estate supervisor for Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and EGPNA and experience as vice president of business development-renewables for another underwriter. 

Sedgwick Brings David Stills On as Global Risk Management Executive

Sedgwick, a global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions for casualty, property, marine, benefits and other lines, is bringing on seasoned risk manager  David Stills as a global risk management executive. 

As a global risk management executive, Stills will focus on global carrier relations, global insurance markets, risk management, and litigation strategy and practices for clients’ businesses. He will also advise the company on how to address issues that global organizations are facing during the pandemic. 

He brings to this position 18 years of experience as Walmart’s vice president of global risk management. In this role, Stills oversaw a team of over 550 risk management and risk finance professionals and was responsible for the supermarket chain’s global risk management division, which included global insurance, captive insurance company management, U.S.-based casualty claims management, and leadership of Walmart’s third party administrator, Walmart Claims Services.  

“With an experienced professional like David joining our team, we are confident that Sedgwick will continue to strengthen our caring counts approach to all client relations and customer service,” said Mike Arbour, CEO of Sedgwick.

“We are excited to have such a well-respected and knowledgeable industry leader join our ranks and look forward to working together to achieve continued success.” 

Stills is looking forward to sharing what he has learned over the course of his career in his new role at Sedgwick. 

“Sedgwick is a company that continues to drive efficiency and innovation within the claims industry, and I am honored to join them in their efforts,” he said. 

“I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with the company and aim to further ensure that all of Sedgwick’s clients’ needs are met to the highest standard.” 

One Call Adds Chief Information Officer Mark Bilger to Senior Leadership Team

Mark Bilger, chief information security officer, One Call

One Call, a national provider of specialty network management services for the workers’ comp industry, appointed Mark Bilger to the position of chief information security officer. Bilger will focus on enhancing the company’s technology, innovation and automation abilities as a member of the senior leadership team. 

He will oversee One Call’s information and technology department which includes strategy, networking, corporate computing, infrastructure, applications development and information security teams, among others. 

Prior to taking on this role, Bilger served as chief information officer and executive vice president at York. He has worked in IT for over 35 years, at companies including Dell and The Bilger Group. 

“The world is more virtual than ever before, relying heavily on technology to drive services and experiences,” Thomas Warsop, CEO of One Call, said in a press release. 

“Adding Mark’s expertise to our senior leadership team is essential to continue coordinating the most timely, efficient care possible.”

Clyde & Co Brings Marc Voses On as Cyber Partner in U.S. Practice

The law firm Clyde & Co, which specializes in issues of insurance, transport, infrastructure, energy, and trade and commodities, is welcoming Marc Voses to the firm as a partner in their New York offices. 

With this hire, Clyde & Co hopes to strengthen their U.S. practice with a partner who is focused on cyber issues. An insurance lawyer by trade, Voses previously served as chair of the cybersecurity and data privacy group at Goldberg Segalla. 

His legal practice focuses on handling coverage issues and disputes arising under insurance policies, including cyber, technology and media, energy, directors and officers, management and professional liability, and general commercial liability. 

Additionally, he has assisted insurers in drafting insurance policies covering risks such as cyber, energy, property, technology, and management liability. 

“Marc’s hire is a further demonstration of the market-leading insurance practice we are building in the US and he strengthens our cyber and data privacy capabilities, which are important areas of focus for our insurance clients. Clyde & Co is the perfect place for him to further build his practice as part of our integrated global team,” said Michael Knoerzer, Clyde & Co’s New York Managing Partner. 

Insurance Office of America Welcomes Jeremy Moreno to Western Region Team

Jeremy Moreno, commercial property and casualty and employee benefits risk advisor, Insurance Office of America

Insurance Office of America (IOA), a full-service insurance agency headquartered in Longwood, Florida, announced that Jeremy Morento will be joining their Western Region Team as a commercial property and casualty and employee benefits risk advisor. He will specialize in agriculture, construction, and employee benefits.

His new position is equivalent to a high-level VP position.  

“Often business owners and executives find navigating the risks that affect their business difficult and may underestimate the potential impact of those risks. They need an advisor that understands their exposures and aligns with them professionally to provide solutions for their current and future needs,” Moreno said. 

“With the resources and partners at IOA, I’m looking forward to providing unparalleled risk management services to clients so they’re protected for whatever lies ahead.”  

Before coming to IOA, Moreno served as vice president and risk advisor for Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services, an Assured Partners agency. 

Anthony Lyons to Lead the Portfolio Solutions Division of Ascot 

Ascot, a global specialty insurance and reinsurance group, announced the appointment of Anthony Lyons as executive vice president and leader of the new portfolio solutions underwriting division.

In this role, Lyons will focus on identifying, cultivating and maintaining a range of partnerships with a myriad of third-party firms seeking a relationship with Ascot. 

He will also work to find external providers who can execute technological partnerships exploring new digital distribution models and operational solutions and he will oversee  group and single parent captive insurance solutions that combine underwriting expertise with other platforms.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tony for many years and he’s proven himself to be a collaborative and engaged leader who combines a significant depth of underwriting and managerial experience with a deep understanding of technological solutions and implementation,” said Jonathan Zaffino, group president at Ascot. 

“I look forward to working closely together as we assess and analyze a wide range of exciting opportunities for Ascot.”

Previously, Lyons spent two decades at AIG, where he worked in a number of underwriting and analytics roles, including his most recent position as executive vice president and global head of analytics and technical services.   

Kathy Antonello Is Named as President-Elect of Casualty Actuarial Society

The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), an international organization for credentialing and professional education, announced that Kathy Antonello will serve as CAS president for the 2021-2022 term. 

Antonello, who is currently executive vice president and chief actuary at Employer Holdings in Reno, Nevada, is a long-time CAS volunteer and has served terms on the CAS Risk Management Committee and Member Advisory Panel over the last seven years. 

Kathy Antonello, executive vice president and chief actuary, Employer Holdings; president-elect Casualty Actuarial Society

Additionally, she served on the CAS Board of Directors since 2017 and is a past president of Casualty Actuaries of the Southeast, a CAS regional affiliate.

As president, Antonello plans to ensure that CAS provides pertinent continuing education and quality research. She also wants to foster a sense of community to CAS members and candidates.

“It is such an honor to be elected by my peers as president-elect of the CAS, and I am thrilled to be supporting the organization that laid the foundation for my career,” Antonello said. 

“Our industry is facing substantial challenges, but as actuaries, we view challenges as enormous opportunities. Our high standard of professionalism and integrity, paired with critical thinking skills and natural curiosity, position us to tackle these challenges head on and with great success. I look forward to working alongside so many talented actuaries over the next three years.” &