People

W. R. Berkley Corp. has appointed Carol J. LaPunzina as senior vice president of human resources. In her newly established position, she will oversee human resource operations and personnel development for the company. LaPunzina began her career with W.R. Berkley more than 11 years ago. Since 2004, she has served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Berkley Insurance Co. The company has also appointed Sandra C. Nelson as president of Monitor Liability Managers. Nelson most recently served as executive vice president of Monitor – an underwriting management company specializing in professional liability insurance – and has been with the company since its founding in 1992.

Marsh announced that Nicholas Bacon, currently chief operating officer, is to become chief executive of Bowring Marsh, Marsh’s specialist international placement broker. He will succeed Mark Gregory, who is leaving the company. Bacon assume his new responsibilities November 1.

Brian Duperreault, president and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., has extended his employment with MMC through January 2014. Duperreault has held this position since January 2008. Prior to joining MMC, Duperreault served as CEO and later chairman of ACE Ltd., and in senior executive positions with AIG.

David Daniel was named chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”). He will lead the organization as chairman for the 2009-2010 term. Daniel is president of Daniel & Eustis Insurance in Baton Rouge, La. Prior to his election to the executive committee, he served on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana, serving as president in 1997. The Big “I” also installed J. Michael “Mike” Miley of Gibson Insurance Group as the chairman-elect. Miley began his insurance career in 1973 and joined Gibson Insurance Group in 1983. He began his involvement with the association at the local and state level, serving as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana from 1995 to 1996.

Ed Zaccaria has been appointed president of ACE Client Executives. He brings more than 30 years of diverse experience in the property and casualty insurance industry to this newly created position, including his most recent role as president, ACE Global Underwriting.

The Travelers Cos. Inc. has appointed Scott Higgins as president of Travelers Construction. Higgins most recently served as chief underwriting officer for Travelers Middle Market business units. He joined Travelers in 1991, and has served in a variety of positions within the company.

Stephen Whelan has been named vice president of commercial and financial risks for the The Hartford Financial Services Group’s Hartford Financial Products (HFP) division. In this newly created position, Whelan will oversee HFP’s entire domestic insurance portfolio for larger risks, including commercial, financial services, diversified, REIT and transactional risk accounts. Whelan joins The Hartford from AIG.

Paul Volfovski has been named business development manager for the National Automobile Club. Volfovski will focus on providing “Customized Road Service Programs” to insurance companies and insured commercial fleets.

Virginia-based specialty insurer Markel Corp. has appointed Nathan J. Warde as executive underwriting officer. In this role, Warde will oversee Markel’s property lines operations in the U.S. He has almost 30 years experience in diverse underwriting and insurance operations and most recently was president for Aspen Insurance U.S. and chief executive officer for Aspen Specialty. Prior to then, he was executive vice president for Arch Insurance Group where he led the strategic development of Arch’s entry into the U.S. specialty property marketplace.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) has given its Commonwealth Award to Republican lawmaker Frank D. Hargrove Sr. The award recognizes outstanding service for the insurance industry, independent insurance agents profession. The award is given only upon a special vote by the IIAV board of directors. Hargrove was the principal of Frank D. Hargrove Insurance Agency located in Hanover County. He spent many years as an independent agent before selling his practice. After serving in the Virginia House of Delegates for over 28 years, he has decided not to run for re-election in 2009. He served on the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

The Professional Insurance Agents of New York (PIANY) has elected new officers and directors for the organization. Kevin Ryan, of The Valley Group Inc. in Kingston, has been elected president. Donna Chiapperino of Jimcor Agencies in Montvale, N.J., was named president-elect. Rich Savino, president and chief executive office of Warwick Resource Group, was elected first vice president. Michael Skeele, of Skeele Agency in DeRuyter, was re-elected vice president. David L. Sidle, of David L. Sidle Agency, was elected vice president. Alan Plafker, CEO of Member Brokerage Service in Plainview, will serve as treasurer. Eugene Sandy, marketing director of Millennium Alliance Group in Syosset, will serve as secretary. D. Scott Liebert, chairman of CLG Financial Corp. in Nanuet, will serve as immediate past president. The group also elected Paul Casciaro, Michael Cracco, Thom Iannicari, Peter Resnick, Leslie Rogoff, Sandy and Frances Scott as directors.

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