People

W. R. Berkley Corp. appointed Richard M. Baio to the newly created office of vice president – treasurer. He will manage the investment accounting and tax departments, global currency, banking relationships and all related treasury functions. Baio, 40, has over 19 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, having served most recently as a director in Merrill Lynch & Co.’s financial institutions investment banking group, where he specialized in insurance company advisory, financing, merger and acquisition transactions.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) has awarded Alex Soto with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honor the association bestows on one of its members. The Woodworth Memorial Award recognizes the contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, its members and to the insurance industry. Soto is president and CEO of InSource, Inc. in Miami and served as chairman of the Big “I” from 2006 to 2007. Soto also served on the national association’s executive committee and was chairman of IIABA’s Communications Committee, Natural Disaster Committee and Branding Task Force, which was responsible for developing the Trusted Choice consumer brand.

Jack M. Rader, executive vice president and COO of Farmers Alliance Cos. in McPherson, Kan., was elected chairman of the American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) at the association’s annual meeting. Rader succeeds James W. Sullivan, president and CEO of Co-operative Insurance Cos., Middlebury, Vt., who remains on the AAIS board of directors. Christopher P. Taft, president and CEO of Preferred Mutual Insurance Co., New Berlin, N.Y., was elected vice chairman to succeed Rader. In addition, R. Douglas Haines, president and CEO of Buckeye Insurance Group, Piqua, Ohio, was elected a member of the AAIS board. Haines has served as a board member in the past.

The other AAIS board members are: Edward T, Berg, president and CEO of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co., Algona, Iowa; Roy Bubeck, president and CEO of Badger Mutual Insurance Co., Milwaukee, Wis.; Stuart C. Henderson, president and CEO of Western National Insurance Group, Edina, Minn.; Judy S. Jackson, president and CEO of NLC Insurance Cos., Norwich, Conn.;

Jeffrey B. Kusch, president and CEO of Austin Mutual Insurance Co., Maple Grove, Minn.; Paul Baiocchi, president and CEO of AAIS.

Zurich Financial Services Group appointed Francis Bouchard as head of the Climate Office. Bouchard will work to institutionalize the company’s climate-related expertise across the organization and accelerate the development of new products. Bouchard, who will maintain his current role as Zurich’s global head of Corporate Communications, joined Zurich in 1998 as vice president of Federal Affairs in the United States.

Michael J. Morrissey has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the New York-based International Insurance Society Inc. (IIS). Morrissey previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Firemark Investments. As a founder of Firemark, Morrissey also served as chief investment officer and portfolio manager of the Firemark Tiger Fund.

New Haven, Connecticut-based agency Abbate Insurance Associates has named Lisa Iannotti-Montz as a personal lines account executive. The 25-year industry veteran will be responsible for new business development and working with the agency’s current clients.

Crump Insurance Services Inc., based in Roseland, N.J., named Christopher Murphy as chief financial officer. In this position, Murphy is responsible for all financial activities of Crump Insurance Services, including implementing and maintaining financial systems, providing financial advice and support, and conducting management reporting. Previously, Murphy served as an independent financial advisor and chief financial officer for Marsh Inc.

The New York State Insurance Fund has named James J. Wrynn as its new executive director. Wrynn, whose appointment became effective April 22, is a partner in the law firm of MacKay, Wrynn & Brady, which specializes in the areas of civil litigation and appellate practice with an emphasis on insurance law. He has an extensive legal background in insurance, counseling agents, brokers, risk retention groups and insurance companies.

Alan Plafker has been appointed to the board of directors of New York’s Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund. Plafker is a long-time insurance agents who is also secretary of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York. As a board member, he will be manage the fund, which provides independent contractor livery drivers with workers’ compensation benefits

Bordentown, New Jersey-based New Day Underwriting has promoted John Hef to the newly created position of director – Real Estate Practice. Heft will lead the group’s focus on providing insurance and risk management solutions for all types of Commercial and Habitational Real Estate; M & A and private equity transactions; and manufacturing classes via Pollution Legal Liability insurance coverage and combined form General Liability coverage. Heft joined New Day three years ago as vice president. Prior to then, he served as a vice president and client adviser in the Environmental Practice of Marsh He has also worked for XL Insurance.

Topics New York Agencies