Venture Programs Appoints Shaffer, Kearney as Program VPs

Venture Insurance Programs Inc., a national provider in the design and underwriting of select industry-focused insurance packages, announced that two senior staff members have been promoted to vice president positions and will lead three of Venture’s best-in-class programs.

Susan Kearney was appointed vice president of Venture Hospitality, and will be responsible for sales, marketing, underwriting and financial operation of the program.

Kearney joined Venture in 2000 with 10 years experience in the insurance industry, working in risk management specific to food service and self-insurance programs. At Venture, Kearney has served as program manager of Venture Hospitality and director of National Accounts.

Jim Shaffer was appointed vice president, Venture Technology and Venture Life Science, and will be responsible for sales, marketing, underwriting and financial operation of the two programs. He has been a member of the Venture management team since 2000, leading Venture Technology, the Preferred Club Program and also serving as director of program operations during this time.

Prior to joining Venture, Shaffer served as assistant vice president for Commonwealth Risk Services, a Philadelphia-based alternative market specialist, where he was responsible for the development, design and implementation of large corporate risk structures through off-shore captive facilities.

His experience also includes a position as production underwriter for the Philadelphia Insurance Company’s Virginia and Washington, D.C. branches.