7 People on the Move

AXA XL announces several promotions, Global Risk Solutions hires a new senior vice president, IAT Insurance Group appoints a vice president of underwriting.
By: | January 18, 2021

Bauknight Pietras & Stormer Announces David Ward as Firm Partner

Bauknight Pietras & Stormer (BPS) announced the appointment of David Ward, CPA, as a firm partner. Additionally, Ward will join the firm’s leadership team to head strategic and operational responsibilities.

David Ward, firm partner, BPS

Ward initially joined BPS in 2006, where he eventually became a lead audit professional on the BPS property and casualty insurance team. Through his time at BPS, he has also served as a trusted client advisor and provided guidance when finalizing deals and transactions.

BPS managing shareholder Russell Bauknight said, “We’re pleased to start 2021 by welcoming David as a partner. Since joining BPS, he’s focused on building an industry-leading knowledge base in property and casualty insurance, which in turn contributed to BPS’ growth. He’s an asset to our clients, the firm, and younger team members who also want to grow their careers with BPS.”

IAT Insurance Group Hires Joe Buffalano as Vice President of Underwriting, Management Liability

IAT Insurance Group recently hired Joe Buffalano as vice president of underwriting, management liability.

Buffalano has worked in the industry, specifically the management liability sector, for more than 22 years.

His most recent role was at Travelers Insurance as the insurer’s managing director of bond and specialty for private and not-for-profit management liability.

Senior vice president of management liability John Passaro commented, “Joe is an integral leadership addition for IAT as we build a top-tier, experienced team to bring our management liability products to the market.”

Risk Placement Services Announces New Leader Within Signature Divisions Programs 

Risk Placement Services (RPS) has hired Joe Clifford to lead the broker’s self-insured workers’ compensation program within its RPS Signature Programs division.

Joe Clifford, head of the self-insured workers’ compensation program, RPS

In this role, Clifford will oversee and manage seven Michigan self-insured workers’ compensation funds under RPS.

Clifford has spent the entirety of his insurance career working with Michigan’s self-insured workers’ comp program administration.

“Joe is a well-recognized industry leader and represents the type of expertise resident within our division to support independent agents and insureds. He is well qualified to lead us to continued growth and profitability within these programs,” Chris Leisz, president of RPS Signature Programs said.

Global Risk Solutions Names Suzanne Ziemann as SVP of Sales

Global Risk Solutions (GRS) appointed Suzanne Ziemann to the provider’s senior vice president of sales.

In this role, Ziemann will oversee GRS’s growth ambitions across several group divisions, including property & casualty and environmental risk management. Additionally, Ziemann will be tasked with leading a sales team solely focused on the growth of GRS’s U.S. property and casualty business.

Ziemann first joined GRS in 2019 as a business development executive, in which she worked directly to manage claims and control costs for both corporate and insurance industry clients.

“Suzanne is an outstanding claims executive with significant experience. Before she joined GRS, she led a national team of adjusters, attorneys and third-party administrators as the head of primary casualty claims for a major insurance carrier,” GRS Group CEO Kip Radigan said.

AXA XL Announces Several New Promotions for U.S. Risk Management Team

AXA XL recently announced three executive promotions within their U.S. risk management team.

Jason Mandik has been promoted to vice president and head of the U.S. central zone’s risk management team; Sandra Clarke has been appointed vice president, national practice leader for temporary staffing; and Jessica Carpita has been named senior casualty underwriter, U.S. risk management.

Jason Mandik, vice president & risk management head, AXA XL

Sandra Clarke, vice president & temporary staffing practice leader, AXA XL

Mandik first joined AXA XL in 2019 as a senior commercial casualty underwriter for U.S. risk management, where he focused on workers’ compensation, commercial auto and general liability.

Clarke brings 10 years of insurance industry experience to her new role with AXA XL. Prior to her promotion, she worked as an AXA XL senior casualty underwriter for U.S. risk management.

Carpita joined AXA XL in 2013 where she served as a property underwriting assistant. She continued to work for the insurer up until her most recent role as senior casualty underwriter, U.S. risk management.

“Each of these individuals has contributed to the success of our U.S. risk management portfolio in the U.S. Central Zone during a very challenging year,” said Chris Kopser, president of primary casualty in the Americas.

“I am confident that the regional and technical expertise within this team will further enable us to provide exceptional service for our brokers and clients in the evolving casualty industry.” &

Emma Brenner is a staff writer with Risk & Insurance. She can be reached at [email protected].

More from Risk & Insurance