People and Places

Phyllis R. Austin has been named Crawford & Co. senior vice president of human resources, according to Tom Crawford, president and CEO.

Austin assumed the position April 24 when Bill Beach, former head of human resources, assumed leadership of Crawford’s continuing education facility, Crawford University.

Austin was previously with DS Waters of America LP, where she was vice president of human resources. The firm produces and distributes bottled water products in the U.S.

Austin’s previous experience includes vice president of human resources for Danone Waters of North America; director of compensation, benefits, and HRIS for Danone Waters of North America in Pasadena, Calif.; and first vice president of human resources for Great Western Financial Corp. in Chatsworth, Calif.

Also in Atlanta, Crawford & Co.’s board of directorsannounced it accepted the resignation of John F. Giblin as chief financial officer, effective May 2. The board named Bruce Swain, who is now controller, as interim chief financial officer.

Main Street America Group, of Jacksonville, Fla. promoted Mike Lancashire to vice president of claims. He replaces Steve Canty, who recently became vice president of market research. Lancashire will report to Tom Van Berkel, president and CEO, and remain in Jacksonville.

Lancashire joined Main Street America in 2003, as technical claims director. In August 2005, he was named national director of claims product. Prior to joining Main Street America, Lancashire was at Kemper Insurance for 17 years in management positions in its claims division, including regional claim manager and branch manager.

Swett & Crawford, based in Woodland Hills, Calif., announced that Neal Abernathy, its president and chief operating officer, has been named chief executive officer.

Abernathy has been president and chief operating officer since August 2005. He will also retain the president’s title.

In addition, the firm will move its corporate offices from Woodland Hills, Calif. to Atlanta to streamline and consolidate administrative and support functions under Abernathy’s leadership.

Colemont Insurance Brokers-Atlanta has promoted Gregg Godde to senior vice president.

Since joining Colemont in 2002, Godde has been responsible for the firm’s Financial, Professional and Healthcare service practice, according to Curt Ross, Colemont-Atlanta president.

Previously, for almost seven years, Godde was with AIG, responsible for managing Southwest region financial services operations; managing the national accounts group for the Southwest region; and managing the New York region’s Mergers & Acquisitions group. Prior to AIG, Godde was with Marsh, Inc. and managed the financial services department for the New Orleans office for four years.

Martin A. Durant, III has rejoined Aflac Inc. in Columbus, Ga. as senior vice president, corporate finance, effective July 1. In his new position, Durant will be heavily involved with Aflac’s capital management activities and strategic financial initiatives.

Durant joined Aflac in 1990 as vice president and comptroller and remained with the firm for 10 years, during which time he became senior vice president, corporate services. In 1999, he accepted a position as senior vice president and CFO of Carmike Cinemas Inc., from which he retired April 1.

Jeffrey S. Wright has been promoted to vice president of DVUA West Virginia Inc., DVUA of Virginia Inc. and DVUA of Ohio Inc., according to George F. “Rusty” Ellis, senior vice president. Wright manages a staff of 11 in the commercial transportation and garage departments of the West Virginia office. These departments specialize in exposure classes within trucking, public auto and dealer/non-dealer garage. Wright joined DVUA in the fall of 1991. He was promoted to senior underwriter in 1995 and assistant vice president in 1996.

Betty Williams, vice president of the Middle Georgia Independent Insurance Agents Association will assume the role of president for the remainder of the program year. Williams is with the Trowell Insurance Agency in Hazelhurst, Ga.

USG Insurance Services Inc., a Tampa, Fla. national insurance wholesaler, announced five promotions: Dave Hosler, director of branch operations; Amy Whiting brokerage manager; Jennifer Szalkay underwriting manager in the Pittsburg office; James Welsh, senior underwriter; and Marni Barnhart, underwriter.

Hosler will be responsible for agency management, carrier management, new personnel development, marketing and branch office sales. He will also be involved with acquisitions, mergers, and new office start ups.

USG has opened a new branch office in St. Louis, Mo. and relocated its Tampa and Michigan offices to larger quarters.

Maurice “Chico” Sabbah, a Greensboro, N.C. businessman and philanthropist died this week at the age of 77 after a long illness.

In 1972 Sabbah and with Kenneth Kornfeld, also of Greensboro, co-founded Fortress Re of a reinsurer.

Sabbah’s family cited his charitable work. In 2003, Business Week named Sabbah among America’s 50 most generous philanthropists. He contributed to the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, donated funds to build a gym at Beth David Synagogue in Greensboro and established a hospital wing in Israel, where he had a house.

Sabbah was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in Great Neck, N.Y. His parents were founders of the temple there. Sabbah attended college in California, and later joined the Israeli Army, where he met his wife, Zmira, who was also a soldier. He later joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea. Sabbah is survived by his wife and daughters, Leeor and Ronee Sabbah.

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