Brit Global Specialty Expands Casualty Portfolio

Two new vice presidents have been appointed to Brit Ltd in hopes of strengthening the company’s casualty portfolio.

Garick Zillgitt was named vice president of primary general liability, while Justin Magee is now vice president of excess casualty. Both positions were appointed by EVP of casualty, Doug Trainor.

Zillgitt will report to senior vice president Mark Richards in Walnut Creek, California, while Magee will report to vice president Jon Liening in Los Angeles.

“We are pleased to announce two more excellent hires to our well-established U.S. casualty team. Justin and Garick bring both extensive experience of successfully writing casualty business, and their market relationships will help drive growth in the segment. Their appointments will build on the strong momentum we have seen in casualty classes over the last few years,” said Nick Davies, president of Brit Americas.

Both new hires have previous experience as vice presidents.

Prior to joining Brit, Zillgitt was VP of Swiss Re, where he was responsible for western territory wholesale produced E&S casualty business. Before that, Zillgitt developed and launched the general liability E&S business and led the sale of the surety team to AmTrust from Rockhill Insurance Company. On top of this, he has over 35 years of experience in underwriting for various casualty classes.

Coming from Redstone Underwriters, Magee served as SVP, concentrating on contractors’ general liability. He began his career with Lexington Insurance, underwriting construction risk, before being hired by Pioneer Programs Insurance Solutions and later Ironshore Insurance.

These hires follow a period of sustained growth for BGSU’s casualty and professional lines offerings, most recently with the appointment of Mark Richards as SVP, general liability in 2018.

Michael Jacoby to Help RCP Move Forward as Health Care Practice Leader 

Risk Consulting Partners (RCP), which focuses in middle market businesses, has announced that Michael Jacoby will head the firm’s rapidly growing health care practice.

Michael Jacoby, health care practice leader, Risk Consulting Partners

With 35 years of industry experience, Jacoby has crafted worded policies for risks pertaining to medical networks, home health and palliative care.

Jacoby’s responsibilities will include overseeing cyber and management liability perils for medical organizations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike to RCP,” said Heather Gardere, chief growth officer for RCP.

“His depth of experience as an innovative and passionate industry leader will be of tremendous benefit to our clients.”

Jacoby has worked for nationally recognized intermediaries such as Marsh & McLennan, Lockton and IMA.

In his previous position as health care practice national director for IMA in Dallas, Jacoby helped with client and revenue growth.

Zurich Appoints New CEO of EMEA and Bank Distribution

In its efforts to exceed customer satisfaction in the region, Zurich Insurance Group appointed Alison Martin as chief executive officer of EMEA and bank distributions.

Martin joined Zurich in October 2017 and was appointed group chief risk officer in January 2018. She will continue to oversee group risk management until a successor is chosen.

Martin has a background in transforming management pertaining to industry technological values.

“Alison is perfectly suited for this role,” said group CEO Mario Greco.

“She is an enthusiastic leader who combines industry expertise with the right mix of customer focus, people management and commercial experience. She is a mature leader with a strong international background. I am confident that she will successfully expand our capabilities to meet customer needs in the region. She knows our culture, she knows our business and is well suited to take our EMEA business to the next level.”

Prior to joining Zurich, Martin held a series of management positions at Swiss Re, where she spent 14 years. In her final four years at the company, she was global head of life & health business management, where she focused on value creation and business distribution.

Western Growers Names Jodi Martin Director of Employee Benefits Account Management

Western Growers Insurance Services recently announced their new director of employee benefits account management, Jodi Martin.

Jodi Martin, director of employee benefits account management, Western Growers Insurance Services

“It feels good to be home! My prior experience made me the best fit for this opportunity,” said Martin. “I am excited to not only bring my expertise of the industry to the team here at Western Growers, but to also polish and perfect those skills while working for this fantastic organization.”

On top of her 30 years of industry experience, with a focus in agriculture, Martin is the granddaughter of sharecroppers, making her well-suited for her new role. She credits her passion to them.

“As a veteran in this industry, Jodi possesses all the vital qualities needed to succeed in this role,” said Jeff Gullickson, SVP of Western Growers Insurance Services.

Western Growers Insurance Services provides security and solutions in the food and agriculture industries.

Martin will be tasked with supporting the consistency and growth of the WGIS client base while implementing customer service strategies.

CSAA Insurance Promotes Linda Goldstein to Executive Vice President, Customer Experience and Marketing 

CSAA Insurance Group promoted Linda Goldstein to executive vice president, customer experience and marketing.

The AAA insurer is a personal lines property casualty insurance group.

“Our customers are at the center of everything we do, and they provide valuable insights that can help us improve how we serve them,” said Goldstein.

“I am inspired to lead a talented group of professionals who share a passion for understanding AAA Members and a dedication to satisfying their insurance needs.”

Linda Goldstein, EVP, customer experience and marketing, CSAA Insurance Group

Prior to her promotion, Linda was the vice president of marketing channels and partners. Before joining CSAA, she held various senior executive positions over the course of a 17-year career with Citigroup.

Tom Troy, president and CEO of CSAA Insurance Group, clearly expressed his confidence in her appointment: “Linda is a proven leader with a passion for serving customers … Her focus on enhancing the insurance experience helps us deliver on our vision to be AAA Members’ first choice for solutions to life’s uncertainties.”

Goldstein’s passion for service goes beyond people and insurance coverage.

She is the president of the board of directors for Berkeley Humane, which provides programs to improve the lives of cats and dogs while also improving the human-animal bond.

Paul Frank & Collins Names New President

Attorney Peter J. McDougall was recently appointed president and treasurer of Paul Frank & Collins law firm.

A captive insurance and business lawyer within the firm, McDougall replaces Stephanie Mapes after her five-year term as president.

He has been on the firm’s executive committee and served as vice president since 2014. He has been a director since 2012.

“I am truly honored to be elected by the Directors of PF+C to serve as the 6th President in the firm’s 51-year history,” said McDougall after his election.

“Stephanie’s outstanding leadership over the past five years has left the firm in a great place, and I am very excited about our future.

“PF+C is made up of amazing people who are not only outstanding at what they do professionally, but who care about each other and their communities,” he said.

“The culture and values of PF+C are paramount to the success the firm has enjoyed in the past and will lead to continued success of the firm in the future.”

Some of Paul Frank & Collins core practice areas include labor, business and tax, captive insurance, insurance services and coverage work and litigation.

Andreas Krause Named Berkshire Hathaway Country Manager, Germany 

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance named Andreas Krause as country manager, Germany.

Krause joins BHSI with nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Andreas Krause, country manager, Germany, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Prior to taking his current role, he was Germany’s general manager of QBE Europe. He also held roles in underwriting and distribution at AIG Europe and was director of broking at Aon Germany.

President of BSHI Europe and UK Chris Colahan expressed his hope for Krause’s leadership skills: “Drawing on his extensive experience in the European insurance industry, Andreas will lead our efforts to grow our team and our customer and broker relationships in Germany, and coordinate with colleagues throughout Europe and around the world to bring BHSI’s formidable underwriting, service and financial strength to the marketplace.

“We are pleased to further establish our geographic presence in Germany and our leadership team in Europe.”

Krause’s appointment is not the only excitement happening for BSHI Germany. On top of their existing office in Munich, the company has expanded its presence to Cologne in order to better serve clients across the nation. &

Got some news about a promotion, a hire, or an honor one of your employee’s received?

Drop an email to staff writer Emily Spennato at [email protected].