Worcestmer, Mass.-based insurer Allmerica Financial Corp. announced that Marita Zuraitis has been named president of Allmerica’s property/casualty companies, effective April 19. As president, Zuraitis will be responsible for the personal and commercial lines operations at Citizens Insurance Company of America, the Hanover Insurance Co. and their affiliates. Zuraitis also will serve as a member of the company’s operating committee.
Zuraitis comes to Allmerica from St. Paul Travelers, the second largest commercial property and liability insurance company in the United States, where she played a key role in the formation of the company through the merger of the St. Paul Cos. and Travelers Property and Casualty. Since 1998, she served as president and CEO of St. Paul’s commercial lines division, responsible for the company’s small commercial, middle market and large property and casualty solutions business units, including field operations.
From 1993 to 1998, Zuraitis held senior positions at United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. (which merged with St. Paul in 1998) in field and home office leadership roles in both of the company’s personal and commercial lines segments. While at USF&G, she was responsible for various aspects of the company’s field office, reinsurance and underwriting operations. Zuraitis also held management positions at Aetna Life and Casualty from 1982 through 1993.
Schaumburg, Ill.-based commercial lines insurer Zurich North America announced that Thomas Bradley will become chief operating officer of finance and administration and chief financial officer of its North American commercial operations. John McCartney, the current CFO, has announced his plans to retire on May 30, and will support Bradley during the transition.
In addition to being responsible for financial functions, Bradley will play a key role in developing financial plans, according to John Amore, CEO of Zurich’s North American commercial division. Bradley adds nearly 25 years of insurance experience to his new positions at Zurich. He is expected to begin the week of April 12, pending the completion of his current duties as executive vice president and CFO for the St. Paul Cos. Inc.
In that role, he had broad functional responsibilities including oversight of systems, treasury and controllership, including external reporting and taxation. In addition, he managed St. Paul’s relationships with rating organizations, investors, analysts and regulatory agencies. Bradley joined St. Paul in 1998 when that company acquired USF&G, where he was serving as vice president and corporate controller.
Chicago-based brokerage giant Hub International Ltd. appointed W. Kirk James to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer. James has served as vice president, corporate secretary and general counsel at Hub since 1999.
Meanwhile, Marianne D. Paine succeeded James and has assumed the titles of chief legal officer and assistant secretary at Hub, joining the company from a Chicago law firm where she was a founding partner. In addition to serving Hub’s Chicago-based brokerage, Mack and Parker Inc., for more than 12 years, Paine has been providing legal services to Hub since 1999 in matters such as technology procurements, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate and commercial activities.
Minneapolis-based medical liability carrier Midwest Medical Insurance Co. appointed Peggy Wagner its assistant vice president of risk management. She is responsible for developing and directing physician, clinic and hospital risk management activities.
Wagner served recently as director of risk management for HealthPartners/Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., where she was responsible for risk management, insurance, workers’ compensation and business continuity planning. Prior to joining HealthPartners/Regions, she served as director of administrative services for Metropolitan-Mount Sinai Medical Center in Minneapolis. Previously, Wagner spent several years in a variety of leadership positions with Divine Redeemer Hospital in St. Paul.
The reinsurance analytical firm John B. Collins Associates Inc. announced that Dan Burke, executive vice president, chief financial officer and one of the founders of the company, retired March 29. The company also announced the appointment of Vibhu Sharma as his replacement.
Sharma spent 17 years with the international accounting firm of KPMG, most recently as a partner in the Minneapolis audit and advisory services practice and as a member of the national insurance practice leadership team. During his tenure with KPMG, Sharma assisted clients representing virtually all segments of the insurance market in various capacities, including financial audits, annual and quarterly SEC reporting, public offerings and private placements of securities.
Chicago-based brokerage Acordia Inc. announced that Renita Wolf is the new vice president and regional controller for its Central region. Wolf is responsible for business planning, reporting, accounting and financial statements. She will be working from the company’s Colorado Springs office.
Most recently, Wolf worked for Agilent Technologies where she started as a merger and acquisition integrating manager. Prior to joining Agilent Technologies in 2000, Wolf worked for Honeywell Inc., Cray Computer Corp., Telectronics Pacing Systems and SRC Computers Inc. She began her career with Current Inc in 1983 as a cost accountant. She later advanced her expertise in finance and attained a position as vice president of finance and chief financial officer for SRC Computers Inc., in 1996. She then worked with Global Financial Services as a quality, communications and organization development manager.
Acordia is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Wildfires Are Upending Some of the Safest Bets on Wall Street 
Uncertainty Keeps Prices Up; No Prior-Year Loss Development: Travelers 
Former Congressman Charged After Collision with State Trooper in Florida 
North Carolina Adjuster and Son Charged With Embezzlement in Roof Jobs From This Issue
