Risk Strategies Expands Atlantic Region Growth Team

Josh Conklin, Atlantic Region growth leader for employee benefits, Risk Strategies

Rob Nesselt, Atlantic Regional growth leader for property & casualty, Risk Strategies

Specialty insurance brokerage Risk Strategies announced a promotion and addition to its Atlantic Region growth team.

Josh Conklin has assumed the role of Atlantic Region growth leader for employee benefits, while Rob Nesselt joins the team as Atlantic Regional growth leader for property & casualty.

Conklin and Nesselt will be responsible for sales process development and implementation, recruiting talent and revenue growth for their respective areas.

Conklin joined Risk Strategies in 2019 through a specialty acquisition and brings decades of experience in cultivating successful growth platforms and leadership teams.

“To have someone with Josh’s pedigree driving growth in this key business unit is tremendous as we continue to invest in, and build out, our regional team structure to support our growth strategy,” said Scott Popilek, Atlantic Region leader at Risk Strategies.

Nesselt, with over 20 years of experience, joins the team after a stint at Marsh McLennan Agency. He is efficient in building effective growth platforms and teams at two of the largest insurance brokerage operations in the United States.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome someone with Rob’s expertise to our Atlantic Region family. We are steadfast in our commitment to provide both our office leaders and producers with the very best resources to drive their business. I’m very excited to see the impact he will have on our teams,” Popilek added.

World Insurance Associates Welcomes Employee Health & Benefits Leader

Josh Simerman joins World Insurance Associates as its new employee health and benefits leader following his tenure at Willis Towers Watson as the director of the mergers and acquisitions health and benefits team.

“Josh’s extensive experience partnering with M&A teams to build growth-enabling programs for PE portfolio companies will prove invaluable for World’s acquisition partners,” said Jennifer Barton, World’s head of benefits, North America.

“He has a strong understanding of unique vendor solutions that will aid our advisors in providing their clients with the customized programs they want and need.”

In his new role, Simerman will focus on strengthening carrier and vendor relationships, optimizing client benefit programs in niche markets and building placement and analytics tools and processes.

SVP of North American Sales Joins IMS

Insurance & Mobility Solutions, or IMS, has appointed David Lukens as its senior vice president of North American sales.

“David has real-world experience developing and implementing connected insurance propositions for the insurance industry,” said Nick Corrie, CEO for IMS.

“His nearly quarter century in the industry covering all aspects of the insurance value chain – from claims to product management to sales – gives him extensive insights into how insurers need to achieve profitable outcomes leveraging driving data.”

With experience as both a claims manager and pricing product development manager with AIG, as well as his most recent role as a senior product director for auto-focused Insurtech, Root Inc., Lukens is well-equipped to handle IMS’ mission.

“I appreciate the opportunity to lend my experience to IMS’s North American growth,” said Lukens. “I have spent my career developing unique solutions and seeing them through to production, scale and positive ROI for insurers. My passion is identifying new information sources and applying them creatively to improve business outcomes, and that is perfectly in line with my new position.”

Two Promotions Announced Within Chubb 

Jim Shevlin, division president of ESIS, a Chubb Company

Leigh Anne Sherman, specialty officer for North America Middle Market, Chubb

Chubb has appointed Leigh Anne Sherman as specialty officer for North America Middle Market. Sherman assumes this role after serving as division president of ESIS, a third-party administrator and Chubb Company.

Sherman has been with Chubb for 25 years, serving in progressive leadership roles throughout her tenure.

“We look forward to having Leigh Anne join Commercial Insurance,” said Ben Rockwell, vice president, Chubb Group and division president, North America Middle Market. “She has a proven track record in leading innovative organizations and driving results and will be able to leverage decades of insurance industry knowledge and experience in this new role.”

Chubb also named Jim Shevlin as Sherman’s replacement as the division president of ESIS. In this role, Shevlin will be responsible for profit and loss performance, as well as overseeing the advancement of strategies around product development, customer service and relationships, and sales for ESIS.

Shevlin will report to Matt Merna, senior vice president, Chubb Group and division president, North America Major Accounts. He assumes this role after service as regional executive officer of Chubb’s Southeast Region.

“Jim has close to 30 years of insurance experience, with 20 of them being at Chubb where he held a variety of leadership roles,” said Merna.

“His background and understanding of our business positions him well to lead ESIS in continuing to provide outstanding service and results, while developing strategies to further grow the business through innovative solutions that help clients reduce their total cost of risk.”

Chad Yarlagadda has stepped into Shevlin’s previous role.

The Liberty Company Introduces Carter Herrin as Vice President

Carter Herrin, vice president, producer, The Liberty Company

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers has announced Carter Herrin as its new firm vice president and producer.

Herrin most recently served as a risk management consultant for Brown & Brown, after holding various financial consulting roles with Duff & Phelps. His areas of expertise include property and casualty, workers’ compensation, executive risk, cyber liability, OCIPs, real estate, hospitality, agribusiness, food and beverage, tech and financial services.

“Liberty is committed to providing our clients with the resources, service and care that will pave the way to unparalleled results,” said Herrin.

Herrin graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Southern California and holds the commercial lines coverage specialist designation.

Goldberg Segalla Welcomes John K. Hamberger

Goldberg Segalla has added John K. Hamberger to the firm’s workers’ compensation group in Garden City. Hamberger was previously with Stewart, Greenblatt, Manning, and Baez in Syosset.

Hamberger has dedicated his practice to defending employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in complex workers’ compensation matters.

He draws on more than 25 years of litigation experience before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Hamberger earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his J.D. from the Hofstra University School of Law.

BMS Re Appoints Managing Director, U.S. Deputy General Counsel

Independent reinsurance broker BMS Re announced the appointment of Jennifer Nodes as managing director, U.S. deputy general counsel, effective June 1. Nodes will report to Pete Chandler, president and CEO of BMS Re.

“Having the right talent, sitting in the right seats, is essential to achieving our growth aspirations.  Jennifer’s knowledge, experience, and work ethic is a great fit for us and the supportive, collaborative culture that is a hallmark of BMS,” said Chandler.

“Her experience within the financial services industry will be a tremendous asset and I welcome her energy, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness as a key member of our team.”

Nodes formerly worked as a principal at Jackson Lewis P.C., where she advised employers on management issues, including best practice employment policies, employment agreements, performance management and separations, and compliance audits.

“Joining BMS Re at a time of immense growth and potential is incredibly exciting. Their unrelenting focus on client service and development is a testament to the culture, professionalism, and commitment across all aspects of the business,” Nodes said. &