The Obama administration named Michael McRaith to head the new Federal Insurance Office. McRaith, currently the head of the Illinois Department of Insurance, will run the Federal Insurance Office set up under 2010’s Dodd-Frank Wall Street and financial industry reforms to monitor insurers, but not to regulate them.
The FIO will operate from within the U.S. Department of Treasury and will advise Congress on insurance issues, help lead U.S. efforts on international insurance issues, and advise various federal entities on insurers’ systemic risk exposure.
In addition to spearheading the newly established FIO, McRaith’s appointment fills one of two vacant seats on the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. announced that Andrea James assumed the role of vice president, national sales leader.
She will lead the National Broker team, which is responsible for accelerating profitable growth by delivering a differentiated operational model focused on supporting broker business plans and objectives. This role establishes engagement and relationships at multiple levels, driving accountability and alignment between Fireman’s Fund and brokers.
James joined Fireman’s Fund 18-months ago as the vice president of sales operations. Prior to this she served as change management executive for Bank of America, where she was responsible for merging three business areas in the purchase of Countrywide by Bank of America. This involved integrating the processes, systems and people of a $3 billion insurance organization, banking operations and the global delivery center of excellence.
Tracy Sandin joined the property/casualty insurance trade group, the American Insurance Association, as its new vice president for state affairs and strategic planning.
Sandin’s career includes experience in both the public and private sectors, most recently with Intuit as senior manager for state corporate affairs based in Sacramento, Calif. Her work also includes 13 years of senior-level government affairs experience in the property/casualty insurance sector for Farmers Insurance Group and 21st Century Insurance.
The AIA also announced that Adam Noah joined the association as its new vice president for federal affairs. Most recently, Noah served in the office of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., as a legislative assistant providing policy analysis on financial services and related issues. Prior to working in the Senate, Noah served as staff counsel for the House Small Business Committee, where he focused on trade and tax issues. Previously, Noah worked for trade associations, political organizations, on political campaigns, and at the White House.
Mark Gibbons was named vice president of business development for Intercare Holdings Insurance Services. Gibbons brings more than 20 years of experience in the property and casualty business to his new role. His prior responsibilities have included claims management and sales and marketing for commercial carriers, as well as leadership in national accounts sales for major service companies.
Intercare is a privately held, independent third-party liability, workers’ compensation and managed care claims administrator with offices in California, Nevada, Texas and Washington.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry reappointed Norman Darwin of Benbrook as the state’s Injured Employee Public Counsel for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.
The public counsel helps injured employees in the workers’ compensation system, oversees the ombudsman program and advocates on behalf of injured employees to ensure balance and fairness for all in the system.
Darwin is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Tarrant County Bar Association, a past member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and past director emeritus of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Western National Insurance Group (WNIG) announced that Peter H. Corning joined the group as senior vice president of finance.
Corning, a licensed certified public accountant, formerly was vice president and chief financial officer of the Insurance & Asset Management divisions at CUNA Mutual Group. He has more than 20 years of experience working with the insurance industry, first on the auditing side for Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) and later on the carrier side in financial management roles at Washington National Corp. and CUNA Mutual Group.
WNIB, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of nine active P/C insurers. Its products are sold through professional independent agents in 13 states in the Midwest, Northwest and Southwest.
Starr Marine Agency Inc., a member of Starr Companies, added Christine Santiago as commercial inland marine product line manager. Santiago has more than 25 years of experience in the P/C insurance business, with the past 20 years dedicated to the inland marine classes. Santiago joins Starr from Axis Insurance Co. where she was senior vice president, managing retail and wholesale distribution of inland marine products throughout the United States.
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