Former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson will step down as chief executive officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), when his current term ends on Jan. 31, 2016. He began his tenure at NAIC in January 2013. The two-year contract came with an annual base salary of $950,000.
Nelson will return to his private law practice in Nebraska and Washington, D.C., and be available in a consulting role to the NAIC as needed during this transition.
Nelson began his career with the Nebraska Department of Insurance in 1965 as supervisor of Claims and Inquiries, served as director of the Nebraska Department from 1975-1976, and as executive vice president of the NAIC from 1982-1985. The Democrat served as governor of Nebraska from 1991-1999 and as a U.S. senator from 2001-2013.
Great American Insurance Group, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, named Chad D. Stewart senior vice president and chief information officer of its Annuity Group.
Stewart joined Great American in 2011. Since that time, he has held roles of increasing responsibility, and was promoted to divisional vice president in 2013.
He has over 20 years of industry experience and previously served in leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Hewlett Packard.
Portage, Mich.-based J.M. Wilson added John Nichols as a personal lines underwriter in its home office. Nichols quotes new and renewal personal lines risks, and serves independent insurance agents in 21 states.
Prior to J.M. Wilson, Nichols was a renewal underwriter for an insurance agency in St. Petersburg, Fla.
J.M. Wilson also added Kristin Bolhuis as a property/casualty underwriter in its Portage office. Bolhuis quotes new and renewal property and casualty business, and serves independent insurance agents in Michigan.
She began working for J.M. Wilson 25 years ago as a life and health assistant underwriter. Prior to her return, she worked as a P/C service representative for six years. In addition, she was also a life/health manager for 10 years.
Bolhuis holds life/health and P/C insurance licenses, and has earned the CISR (Certified Insurance Sales Representative) designation.
Andrew Hamilton joined J.M. Wilson as sales and agency relations specialist in its Carmel, Ind., office. His focus is on Indiana and Ohio.
Hamilton has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years. Most recently, he managed independent insurance agents in Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
He has earned his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation and is working towards his CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation.
Eydent Insurance Services LLC, a Mt. Pleasant, Mich.-based program administrator specializing in niche markets, announced that Jim Swearingen, chief underwriting officer, will retire effective Nov. 15.
Swearingen began his career with St. Paul Fire and Marine and successfully worked his way through the ranks at Northbrook Property and Casualty, Meadowbrook Insurance Group and The Hartford. He has more than 15 years of experience in captive and specialty programs.
Susan Wicker will assume the role of chief underwriting officer upon Swearingen’s retirement. Wicker has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, including 10 years at Eydent, with emphasis on energy multiline underwriting.
Jeffry Blackman will oversee the firm’s ArborMAX Program as program manager. Blackman previously served as an underwriter with the ArborMAX Program and has been with the company since 2004. He is a primary and excess casualty underwriter specializing in the tree care industry. Blackman has earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and is working on his CPCU designation.
Brent Wright will continue to oversee Eydent’s new managing general agent division (MGA) as assistant vice president. Wright has been an MGA assistant vice president for three years, most recently at Towerstone Inc., a wholesale broker with extensive experience in a broad spectrum of industries.
Chicago-based CNA appointed Liz Aguinaga as senior vice president and chief human resources officer.
Aguinaga joined CNA in 2010 as a vice president and human resources business partner. Prior to this role, she served for nine years in both recruiting and human resources generalist functions at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
Aguinaga succeeds Debbie Nutley, who announced her retirement earlier this year after 19 years of service at CNA.
Independent insurance broker, Hylant, appointed Kim Riley president of its Cleveland, Ohio, office.
Riley has more 30 years of insurance. She joined Hylant in 2011 as president of its Nashville office.
Prior to joining Hylant, Riley was president at First Tennessee Insurance Services and First Horizon Insurance.
Topics Ohio
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