Dallas-based commercial insurance firm, McQueary Henry Bowles Troy L.L.P. (MHBT), appointed Jesse (Jay) Beck as vice president of the employee benefits group. Beck brings 15 years of industry experience to the company. Prior to joining MHBT, Beck worked with Canada Life Assurance Company beginning in 1994, and helped to establish Canada Life’s office in Dallas, facilitating its growth to account for nearly 20 percent of the firm’s nationwide revenues. While with Canada Life, Beck was responsible for writing medium and large accounts. Beck is also particularly experienced with partially self-funded groups and ancillary products.
MaximInsurance recently added three new associates to its team of insurance professionals—Jennifer Dues, Pamela Corkill and Annette Handley.
A Houston resident, Dues will serve as business development representative for the organization, developing and nurturing relationships with local businesses and facilitating new connections in the community and surrounding areas. Prior to joining the MaximInsurance team, she worked for McGuyer Homebuilders Inc.
Corkill will serve the organization as a customer service representative (CSR) for current policies in personal lines, while also writing quotes and new business. She also will take an active role in advising current clients on home, auto, umbrella and other coverages—ensuring they get the best possible product available to meet their goals and suit their lifestyle. Prior to joining MaximInsurance, Corkill served as a CSR for Allstate Insurance.
Handley will serve as commercial marketing and sales coordinator, driving new business efforts. Prior to joining MaximInsurance, Handley served as commercial new business manager with Rust Ewing Insurance for 11 years. She earned her commercial ACSR designation in 1989, her personal ACSR in 1996, her general insurance designation (INS 21, 22, 23) in 1997 and her associate’s in insurance services in 2001.
David Molchan has been appointed as Insurance Journal‘s regional advertising manager for Insurance Journal East. Molchan has extensive experience in business-to-business advertising sales and ad sales management at several trade magazine companies. Most recently, Molchan served as the regional sales manager for the eastern United States at Lightwave Magazine, published by Pennwell Publishing. Prior to that, he spent more than 10 years serving first as a regional sales manager, and then advancing to the position of national sales manager for Electronic Component News, published by Chilton Publishing and Cahners Publishing, respectively.
In his new position, Molchan will work closely with Insurance Journal‘s current advertisers, as well as prospective advertisers, in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, Delaware and Maryland regions. Molchan can be reached by e-mail at: dmolchan@insurancejournal.com, by phone at: (610) 293-1114, or by mail at: 15 Highview Dr., Ste. 301, Radnor, Pa. 19087.
Dave Thomas, managing editor of Insurance Journal‘s southeast magazine, was appointed to the position of online editor. In this new position, Thomas will oversee all editorial content for Insurance Journal Online and ClaimsGuides.com. Thomas will work closely with members of the Insurance Journal editorial team and Web site development team to provide strategic direction for Well’s Publishing’s online operations. Thomas will continue to serve as IJ’s southeast managing editor, as well.
Thomas, who has been with Insurance Journal since April 2001, is a native of Pennsylvania, and has a degree in communication studies from East Stroudsburg University. Prior to joining Insurance Journal, he served as a sports editor for the La Jolla Light newspaper in San Diego. Thomas has been a freelance sportswriter for the La Jolla Village News in San Diego since July 2001.
Bob Shipe was named acting executive director of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (TWCC), effective July 17, 2004. Shipe is currently director of TWCC’s Medical Review Division. TWCC commissioners named him to the new post upon accepting a notice of retirement from current TWCC Executive Director Richard F. Reynolds.
Reynolds, who retires July 16, has served as executive director since September 2001. He served as a TWCC Employer Commissioner from 1995 to 1998 and as chairman from 1995 to 1997. Reynolds also served as a member of the Texas State Board of Insurance from 1989 to 1993, and was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977. He will continue to assist the agency in the coming months.
Shipe has held numerous positions at TWCC in addition to director of the Medical Review Division. He has been involved in field operations, served as chief of records processing and served as the Commission’s legislative liaison.
Pascal Ray (pascal_ray@aesbrokers.com) joined American E&S Insurance brokers as vice president and will be opening an office in Houston, Texas. Ray has over 18 years experience in commercial insurance, most of which has been concentrated in MGA program conceptualization, design, development, implementation and management. MGA program focus areas will initially involve the Energy and Marine Industries.
David Wetzel has joined the Houston office of wholesale insurance broker Heath Insurance Brokers of Texas LP, as a vice president. Wetzel has nearly 30 years experience in providing innovative insurance solutions in the energy and maritime industries. He specializes in the global land and offshore exploration, production, contracting and servicing sectors. Wetzel is active in the Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA) and is a past member of the TSLA’s Board of Directors.
Professional services firm Deloitte & Touche LLP named William O’Connell as the national leader of the firm’s Dispute Consulting & Forensic Investigations practice. O’Connell, who will be based in the company’s Dallas office, most recently served as the national product line leader. O’Connell, a founding partner of the practice, has more than 30 years of industry experience. He has held many leadership roles within the Dispute and Forensic group and in other sectors of Deloitte & Touche’s Financial Advisory Services practice. O’Connell has also provided expert testimony in a variety of major commercial and transactional disputes.
Texas-based American Underwriting Managers announced that Phyllis K. Barnes has joined the company as marketing director. Barnes has more than 10 years of experience in the surplus lines field. She was previously associated with several insurance wholesalers and retailers in the Dallas area. An Accredited Customer Service Representative, Barnes has also done background studies toward the CIC, CPCU and ARM designations. She is a member of the Federation of Insurance Women of Texas.
AUM maintains offices in Southlake and San Antonio, Texas.
Zurich Financial Services Group appointed Axel P. Lehmann as CEO of Zurich North America Commercial (ZNA), effective September 2004. He succeeds John Amore who is assuming a global leadership role as CEO of General Insurance.
As CEO of ZNA, Lehmann will oversee all Zurich North America General Insurance activities.The heads of Zurich North America units will report to him, and, on behalf of the Group Executive Committee (GEC), he will provide the GEC leadership for the U.S. Small Business strategy development.
He joined Zurich in 1996 and has held various positions in corporate development and executive management. He was appointed to the Group Management Board in 2000 and he joined the GEC as CEO of the Continental Europe Business Division in March 2002.
Zurich said his successor at the helm of the European General Insurance businesses will be announced at a later date.
Gary Bhojwani was named president of Commercial Business for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. He was previously president of Lincoln General Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Kingsway Financial Services.
Prior to Lincoln General, Bhojwani was founder and president of Avalon Risk Management, a national underwriting manager, third-party administrator, and insurance brokerage.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) named Frank Abagnale Jr. as its official spokesperson for a new national consumer-awareness campaign, “Fight Fake Insurance: Stop. Call. Confirm.”
Abagnale, who once had a reputation as a master of deceit, was portrayed in the 2002 motion picture hit, “Catch Me If You Can.”
In the coming months, the NAIC will roll out a comprehensive campaign designed to combat fraudulent insurance sales, emphasizing unauthorized insurance plans, which often are not approved by state insurance regulators and do not offer the benefit requirements of legitimately licensed policies. Public service announcements featuring Abagnale will be key components of the campaign.
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