Liberty Mutual Appoints a New Chief Underwriting Officer, Marine

Dan Fiege, chief underwriting officer, U.S. Marine Practice, Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual, the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer announced Dan Feige to lead the new U.S. Marine Practice as chief underwriting officer.

Liberty Mutual recently combined two underwriting teams to create the practice.

“We joined our U.S. inland marine and ocean marine underwriting teams under Dan to help brokers easily access integrated marine solutions, and to identify ways to further enhance our products and workflows,” said National Insurance Property General Manager Gregg Cunningham.

“Dan has the deep product, underwriting and management experience needed to help us add even greater value to inland and ocean marine brokers and buyers.”

Prior to leading the new practice, Feige led Liberty Mutual’s Inland Marine Practice and held important Ocean Marine leadership and underwriting roles.

Vincent Catalano Joins Lockton Pacific Series to Expand Employee Benefits Business

Vincent Catalano has joined Lockton Pacific Series to grow its employee benefits practice in the Sacramento region.

Catalano is an industry veteran with nearly twenty years of leadership experience in the employee benefits industry, both in non-profit and private sectors.

“Joining a broker that is uncommonly independent and working with professionals I’ve known and respected in the industry for a long time is a tremendous opportunity for me to implement more creative, forward-thinking solutions to employers’ complex business issues,” Catalano said.

Most recently, he served as area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher. He specializes in total benefits rewards consulting, healthcare funding, benefits administration, compliance, wellness program development and employee communications.

“As healthcare costs continue to rise, compliance becomes increasingly complex, and employees look to relocate out of state for more affordable housing, Vinny’s expertise will be a tremendous asset to employers to more effectively manage costs, design plans and communicate the value of those plans to drive employee engagement and retention,” said Alex Michon, Executive Vice President and head of Lockton’s Sacramento office.

Lockton has a rapidly growing Pacific region, with eight offices throughout the Western United States including Portland, Sonoma, San Francisco, Sacramento, Encino, Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego.

PMA Companies Announces Katti Smith as Southwest Region VP

Katti Smith, vice president, Southwest region, PMA Companies

PMA Companies has named Katti Smith as vice president, Southwest region.

In this role, Smith will develop PMA’s presence in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico and manage distribution partner relationships. She will report to Ken Stanley, senior vice president, distribution and field operations.

Smith joined PMA Companies’ Irving, Texas Operations in 2019. She has 17-years of experience in commercial insurance, including in underwriting and business development.

“I am very pleased that Katti will be leading our Southwest operations,” Stanley said.  “She is a well-known and respected insurance professional with a successful track record of working with brokers and underwriting large and mid-size accounts. The Southwest Region is a vital strategy for PMA Companies and I look forward to our continued expansion under Katti’s direction.”

Marsh & McLennan Agency Announces Peter Krause as CEO of Southeast Region

Marsh & McLennen Agency, a subsidiary of Marsh, appointed Peter Krause as CEO of Southeast Region.

Krause will oversee Marsh & McLennen offices in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Tallahassee, Florida. He will report to David Eslick, chairman and chief executive officer, Marsh & McLennen Agency.

“Clients, carriers, and colleagues will benefit from Peter’s exceptional industry knowledge and leadership as we continue to deliver services and solutions that provide midsize firms with the protection they need to operate and grow in today’s challenging risk environment,” Eslick said.

Krause brings more than three decades of underwriting, marketing and leadership experience. Most recently, he served as president of the Southeast region. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president, managing director and marketing manager of J. Smith Lanier Co.

Krause will be based in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I am honored to assume leadership of this great organization across the Southeast and look forward to continuing our focus on providing clients with world-class property/casualty insurance and employee benefit services,” Krause said.

Garett Kaneko Joins Worldwide Facilities

Garett Kaneko, executive vice president, national client management and sales, Worldwide Facilities

National wholesale broker, managing general agent and program underwriter Worldwide Facilities announced the appointment of Garett Kaneko to executive vice president, national client management and sales.

Kaneko will be responsible for developing and enhancing the company’s relationships with its customers across all divisions.

His experience includes leading the management of agent and broker relationships on behalf of national carriers, as well as being a wholesale insurance broker.  He also has experience in commercial underwriting, retail agency and leadership roles.

Kaneko rejoins Worldwide Facilities after serving at the company from 2016-2019.

Richard P. Creedon Named Chairman of Insurance Information Institute

Richard P. Creedon, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the member companies of Utica National Insurance Group has been elected chairman of the Insurance Information Institute’s (Triple I) board of directors.

He was elected to the board in 2016.

“Rich is a strong proponent of our mission to be the trusted source of unique, data-driven insights on insurance that inform and impower consumers. I look forward to working with him closely and learning from his proven leadership skills as well las his knowledge of the industry we serve,” said Sean Kevelighan, chief executive officer.

“The Triple-I is the go-to resource for consumers, media outlets, and professionals seeking useful insurance information…so I appreciate the opportunity to help the Institute continue to do its good work as it marks its 60^th anniversary in 2020,” Creedon said.

Creedon will serve a two-year term and succeed Hank Watkins.

H.W. Kaufman Hires Matthew Lefchik to Expand Node International

Matthew Lefchik, director of cyber risk management services, Node International

H.W. Kaufman Group announced the expansion of Node International’s North American presence with the addition of Matthew Lefchik as director of cyber risk management services for Node.

Node International is a United Kingdom based company that is recognized for its expertise in cyber-risk and technology insurance solutions. Lefchik will see it’s growth across North America.

He has extended experience in cyber and privacy insurance marketplaces and a knowledge of security risk management practices. He will report to David Derigiotis, corporate senior vice president, H.W. Kaufman Group.

“H.W. Kaufman Group acquired London-based MGA Node International to deepen our bench of expertise and ensure we are at the forefront of the evolving digital space,” said Alan Jay Kaufman, Chairman, President and CEO, H.W. Kaufman Group. “Adding Matthew to the team, with his background in leading cybersecurity and telecommunications companies, reflects our intention to broaden Node’s reach beyond the United Kingdom.”

Lefchik has more than 16 years of experience and most recently served as global director of strategic partnerships and sales for Avertium. &