Main Street America’s Board of Directors Announces Five Top-Level Promotions

Five promotions and appointments have been announced by the board of directors of the Main Street America Group in Jacksonville: Ed Kuhl, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Toni Porterfield, senior vice president; Jack Craw assistant vice president; Bill Garvey assistant secretary; and Steve Sauthoff, assistant actuary.

“These officer-level promotions and appointments reflect the depth and quality of our management team and will position The Main Street America Group for an even greater level of performance,” Tom Van Berkel, Main Street America Group president and CEO said. “Each of these leaders truly embraces the qualities that drive our organization’s success.” All of the promotions and appointments are effective immediately.

Kuhl joined The Main Street America Group in 1988 as controller. He has served as treasurer of all of its operating companies since 1999 and became a vice president in March 2000. He was appointed as chief financial officer in September 2002. Kuhl is responsible for the oversight of all financial activities of the organization including accounting, treasury, tax, planning and internal audit functions.

Kuhl was formerly vice president and chief financial officer at Sedgwick James of Pennsylvania, Inc. He has also been the manager of corporate accounting at the PMA Group in Philadelphia and began his insurance career as an accountant in the International Division of INA.

Porterfield has been promoted to senior vice president, human resources. Porterfield joined Main Street America in May 2004 as vice president of human resources. She is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of all human resources products and services throughout the organization.

Porterfield’s background is diversified and includes training, marketing, communications and human resources. Her broad experience includes working at Chrysler Motors as manager of field sales and marketing training. Porterfield began her insurance career in corporate training and development at The Travelers and The Maryland Insurance Group. She joined Zurich in 1994, where she held several senior management positions including vice president, marketing; senior vice president, corporate development; and most recently, senior vice president, human resources, organizational development and rewards for Zurich North America.

Crawford has been promoted to assistant vice president, corporate counsel. Crawford joined The Main Street America Group in 1976 and has held several positions including assistant secretary and corporate counsel; underwriter; manager, commercial insurance products; lead underwriter; and district marketing manager. Prior to joining Main Street America, Crawford worked for USF&G as a line underwriter and home office underwriter.

Garvey has been appointed assistant secretary, systems analysis and programming. Most recently, he was director, systems analysis and programming. Garvey joined Main Street America in 1985 as director, claims technical. His other roles at Main Street America have included technical director, systems and director, customer relationship management. Prior to joining Main Street America, Garvey worked for Royal Insurance Company of America as an examiner.

Sauthoff has been appointed assistant actuary. He joined Main Street America last July as director, personal lines pricing. Prior to Main Street America, Sauthoff was a director and regional product manager for Encompass Insurance, a division of Allstate Insurance Company. He has also held management roles with CNA Personal Insurance, Continental Insurance Company, Allstate and Maryland Casualty Company.

Topics Training Development