Hallmark Financial Services Promotes Morrison and Kasitz

Fort Worth, Texas-based Hallmark Financial Services Inc. reported it has promoted Mark J. Morrison to the position of president, effective April 1, 2006. Mark E. Schwarz, chairman and chief executive officer of Hallmark, previously held the additional title of president. Morrison will continue to serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

Additionally, Hallmark promoted Kevin T. Kasitz to executive vice president effective April 1. Kasitz, who is currently president of the company’s commercial insurance operation, will assume additional corporate responsibilities for business development, reinsurance and risk management.

Morrison, age 46, became executive vice president and chief financial officer upon joining the company in March 2004, and was given the additional responsibilities of chief operating officer in April 2005.

He has been employed in the property and casualty insurance industry since 1993. Prior to joining Hallmark, he had since 2001 served as president of Associates Insurance Group, a subsidiary of the St. Paul Travelers Group. From 1996 through 2000, he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Associates Insurance Group, a division of Associates First Capital Corporation. From 1991 to 1996, Morrison served in various financial leadership positions with American Eagle Insurance Group, Republic Insurance Group, and Anthem Life Insurance Company. He began his career as a public accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP from 1982 to 1991, where he completed his tenure as a senior manager.

Kasitz, age 43, joined Hallmark in April 2003 as president of the commercial insurance operation. Prior to joining the company, Kasitz had since 1991 been employed by Benfield Blanch Inc., a reinsurance intermediary, where he served in a number of senior management positions. From 1989 to 1991, he was a personal lines underwriter for Continental Insurance Company and from 1986 to 1989 was an internal auditor for National County Mutual Insurance Company.

Hallmark Financial Services Inc. engages primarily in the sale of property and casualty insurance products. The company’s business involves marketing and underwriting commercial insurance in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington; marketing and underwriting non-standard personal automobile insurance in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; marketing of general aviation insurance in 44 states; claims administration; and other insurance related services.

Topics Texas