Choate Named Wachovia Corp. Managing Director, SVP

Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia Insurance Services has announced that William M. Choate has joined the firm as managing director and senior vice president of Wachovia Corporation. Choate joins Wachovia Insurance Services from Marsh Inc., where he served as managing director and head of Global Risk & Insurance Services.

Choate will be responsible for the National Sales Team, the Property & Casualty resource and practice groups, the National Employee Benefits Program, the Carrier Relations team and the Bank Integration team.

“Choate is a valuable asset to our organization,” Stewart McDowell, president and chief executive officer of Wachovia Insurance Services said. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, having spent decades in the insurance brokerage industry. Choate is a leader who believes, as I do, that we have the ability to create the best brokerage firm in the insurance business. We are very excited to have Choate here, and I am looking forward to partnering with him to move us to the next level.”

Choate joined Johnson & Higgins, Carolinas Inc. after the firm acquired his company in 1982. In 1986, he transferred to the Houston operation, and he became senior vice president of the Texas operation in 1990. He moved back to Charlotte and was promoted to president of Johnson & Higgins Carolinas Inc. in 1993 and was named managing principal in 1995.

Following the merger between Johnson and Higgins and Marsh & McLennan in 1997, Choate was managing director and partnership leader for the Blueridge Partnership and became Southeast Region head for Marsh in 1999. His role was expanded in 2001 when Marsh named him head of the South Region. He was promoted to his previous role in 2004. Choate also served as a member of the board of directors of Marsh Inc. from 2001 until he joined Wachovia Insurance Services.

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