Recent Leadership Changes and Strategic Appointments in the Insurance Industry

In recent developments within the insurance sector, several prominent companies have announced significant leadership changes and strategic hirings aimed at bolstering their operational strength and expanding their service offerings. This movement underscores the industry's commitment to enhancing their capabilities and delivering superior service within a highly competitive market.

CRC Group, a stalwart in wholesale specialty insurance distribution, has strengthened its team in Dallas, Texas, by hiring seasoned professionals Adam Jacobus and Tom Martina. These appointments align with CRC Group's strategic initiative to broaden its capabilities and improve service delivery to retail agency partners across North America. Adam Jacobus, who assumes the role of Senior Vice President at CRC Specialty, brings a wealth of experience from his 17 years in wholesale brokerage. His expertise encompasses complex casualty placements, including general liability, auto, pollution, excess, and workers’ compensation, particularly in energy, construction, and environmental sectors. Complementing Jacobus is Tom Martina, joining CRC as a Senior Broker with nearly two decades of industry experience. Martina’s proficiency lies in general liability, excess, pollution, and auto coverage, focusing on construction, environmental, energy, and manufacturing risks.

Another noteworthy development is at Neptune Flood, where Matt Duffy has been promoted to the position of President. Duffy's previous contributions were instrumental in Neptune's growth, helping the company to amass over 230,000 active policies and approach $300 million in premiums. Additionally, Alais Griffin has been appointed as General Counsel, bringing extensive knowledge in legal strategy and regulatory compliance, pivotal for guiding Neptune through its forthcoming expansion phases. Furthermore, Tom Wexler’s new role as Chief Engineer will see him spearheading Neptune's AI-driven underwriting and technological advancements, while Brad Schulz transitions from his former role as Chief Technology Officer to Chief Information Security Officer, reflecting Neptune’s focused efforts on fortifying cybersecurity measures.

Over at Lockton, the privately held independent insurance brokerage firm has taken a bold step by appointing Chris DiLullo as its first-ever US Industry Practices Leader. DiLullo's role involves directing the national strategy across vital industries such as construction, healthcare, law firms, life sciences, real estate, energy, and transportation. Drawing from his two decades of experience at Lockton, DiLullo aims to enhance client value through specialized, industry-centric solutions. In a parallel move, Allianz Commercial has designated Melissa Hill as the Regional Head of Claims for North America, succeeding the retiring Frank Sapio. Hill, with over 25 years in the claims sector, formerly held leadership roles at major firms including Sompo, AIG, Hiscox USA, and Kemper Insurance. Her mandate at Allianz includes leading claims operations with a strong focus on enhancements driven by data-centric decision-making.