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Kyle Stevens was elected president and CEO of Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers based in Pasadena, Calif.

Stevens was promoted to chief operating officer in 2005 and was charged with overseeing all offices of the company. As COO, he was responsible for overall production and progress of the WSS branches. Working with the branch managers, he executed WSS’ 2006 business model and marketing plan.

Stevens will remain in the Texas office and assume his new duties from there. Richard Polizzi will remain as chairman and oversee the growth of the organization. Georgina Polizzi, senior vice president, will continue to oversee the company human relations, IT and accounting departments.

New York-based Willis Group Holdings Ltd. named Theresa (Terri) Clune president and CEO of Willis’ operations in Seattle.

Clune has more than 20 years of brokerage industry experience. She began her career as an associate at Willis and later worked for another broker as a senior vice president in Seattle and New York before rejoining the company in 2006. Previously, she served as the senior vice president of Willis’ operations in Seattle.

Los Angeles-based Chartwell Independent Insurance Brokers LLC named William A. Hildebrand executive vice president and director of programs and proprietary products. His responsibilities will include fostering retail agency and market relationships to expand business opportunities, developing proprietary programs with insurance carrier partners, enhancing sales and marketing efforts, and continuing to develop Chartwell’s team.

Previously, Hildebrand served as senior vice president and regional manager for the Agency Specialty Product Network (ASPN), a subsidiary of Aon Corp.

Woodland Hills, Calif.-based C.M. Meiers Co. named Robert M. Bryar executive vice president, responsible for the marketing direction for growing the entertainment insurance company, client relations, production, special projects and programs.

Bryar spent two years as managing director, Southern California for Acordia/Wells Fargo and 14 years as president and CEO of Speare & Co. Prior to that, he was with Hoffman Brown Co. for 14 years and with Max Behm & Associates for 10 years.

Hull & Co. promoted Tim Neff to senior vice president of Profit Center Operations in the western United States. In addition to his new position, he will be the Hull & Co. liaison to carrier partners located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Neff owned his own wholesale brokerage until it was purchased by Hull in 2005. He will continue to run that operation with offices in Albuquerque, N.M., and Scottsdale.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers hired Jay Johnsen as assistant vice president in the San Francisco office. As a producer at Heffernan, Johnsen will be charged with new business development focusing on skilled nursing facilities and assisted living. For the past seven years, he has been primarily devoted to the assisted living community with a focus on elderly facilities, nonprofit group homes and homes for the developmentally disabled.

Los Angeles-based Executive Perils named Bridget Livingston vice president/broker. Livingston brings technical expertise, strong education and industry experience to her new role. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in finance. She also completed two semester study abroad programs in London and Rome focusing on international business and finance.

Colemont Insurance Brokers promoted John Trittipo to assistant vice president of Colemont’s Southern California operations based in Woodland Hills.

Trittipo’s book of business is primarily comprised of commercial general liability and excess liability/umbrella for construction-related risks, including OCIP/CCIP/WRAP programs.

The company also named Shane Palmer senior vice president in the San Francisco office. He will focus on property accounts with Fortune 1,000 companies, specializing in earthquake/difference in conditions, hurricane/wind storm, complex layered accounts, construction, and cargo/stock throughput.

Palmer began his career in 1989 in London as a Lloyd’s broker with Sedgwick. He moved to San Francisco in 1995 for a brokerage position and has worked in the industry continuously since.

The California Department of Insurance named Tony Cignarale acting deputy commissioner of consumer services and market conduct. Cignarale replaces Woody Girion, who was named deputy commissioner of rate regulation.

Cignarale has served as chief of the Consumer Services division of CDI since 2001. In that position, he directed statewide activities, which includes responding and investigating consumer complaints and inquires relating to many lines of insurance. Cignarale has served the DOI for 15 years, including as associate and supervising compliance officer. In 2004, he was the recipient of the Insurance Commissioner’s Leadership and Teamwork Award.

Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. promoted Jennifer Walsh to employee benefits practice leader. She joined the company’s Benefits Team three years ago as vice president and account executive.

Walsh has more than 17 years of group benefits experience, and her background includes carrier sales and large account management. In her new role, her focus will be business development, expanding existing client relationships and working closely with carriers to ensure successfully managed programs.

Lynette Lavin was promoted to claims manager for California State Compensation Insurance Fund’s Los Angeles Claims Services.

Lavin began her State Fund career in 1988 as a claims adjuster for the organization’s Woodland Hills District Office. Her most recent post in 2005 as assistant claims processing center manager for State Fund’s Burbank location.

Topics California Agencies