Business Moves

AmWINS

North Carolina-based wholesale insurance broker AmWINS Group Inc. has formed an energy practice within its brokerage division. Based in Houston, the energy practice is led by Pascal Ray and Maryanne Maniaci.

Ray and Maniaci have more than 50 years of combined experience in the insurance industry. Each has held several senior level positions in both a brokerage and underwriting capacity.

Gallagher & Co., Summit Ins. Group

Illinois-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Summit Insurance Group in San Antonio, Texas.

Established in 1997, Summit Insurance Group offers a wide range of employee benefit consultation and brokerage services for its Texas clients. The firm specializes in group medical, dental, life and disability insurance with an emphasis on planning, design, implementation, cost containment and plan administration for group businesses with 50 or more employees.

L.P. “Buddy” Morris and his associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, South Central Regional executive vice president of Gallagher’s employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

Higginbotham & Associates, Madison Benefits Group

Houston-based employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm Madison Benefits Group has joined forces with Higginbotham & Associates, headquartered in North Texas.

The new partnership expands Madison Benefit’s current service offerings by adding personal and commercial property and casualty coverage lines and risk management services to its portfolio, the company said.

The new alliance has a combined staff of more than 310 employees and 11 statewide offices.

Founded in 1989, Madison Benefits Group specializes in corporate employee benefits and retirement programs.

Higginbotham & Associates, headquartered in Fort Worth for 60 years, provides businesses and individuals a single source solution for comprehensive financial and insurance services.

Apex Global, Global Benefit Solutions

Apex Global Partners has acquired Austin, Texas-based employee benefits broker and human resources consultant, Global Benefit Solutions.

Global Benefit Solutions provides health and welfare insurance brokerage and consulting, as well as retirement planning, executive compensation and human resources consulting to corporate clients based throughout central Texas.

Tom Newby will continue in his role as president of the Global Benefit Solutions Division of Apex.

CAA, EFGI Insurance & Bonds

Austin, Texas-based Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA) added EFGI Insurance & Bonds LCC of San Antonio as its 37th member agency. EFGI is the fourth agency to join CAA this year.

EFGI Insurance & Bonds was formed in 2002 when EFGI purchased the southwest Texas insurance operations from Employers General Insurance Group (EGIG), and hired much of the support personnel. EFGI’s core staff has worked together for 25-plus years.

In 2004, Canez-Gunter Insurance & Benefits (CGIB) merged with EFGI enhancing the employee benefits side of the agency. While EFGI designs and manages programs for a wide range of clients, it also specializes in the oil and gas, construction and transportation industries.

Southwest Risk

Dallas, Texas-based Southwest Risk LP, a privately held wholesale broker, is expanding its CORE facilities to Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.

These facilities provide property, general liability and umbrella liability coverages for habitational real estate exposures including apartments, condominiums, townhomes, hotels and motels. Coverage is available for all construction types, including frame and joisted masonry.

CORE facilities are structured to provide critical coverage for commercial real estate risks. Southwest Risk teamed with select carriers rated “A” or better by A.M. Best to provide coverage enhancements and limits to satisfy the requirements inherent to the class. The facilities allow Southwest to cover coastal wind exposures along with fire and other perils throughout the Southeast.

Topics Texas