Business Moves

Ryan Specialty Group, Technical Risk Underwriters

Chicago-based Ryan Specialty Group LLC has launched Technical Risk Underwriters (TRU), a specialty managing general underwriter (MGU) focused on underwriting complex construction and property risks. TRU is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

The MGU is led by an experienced group of underwriters, engineers and construction specialists dedicated to developing and deploying new analytical tools for broadening clients’ property risk-transfer options.

TRU provides immediate availability of a Course of Construction Difference in Conditions and Deductible Buy-Down Program. The program is backed by A.M. Best currently rated “A+” XV insurers with capacity for policies that may be up to 36-month term.

Coverage capabilities include: named windstorm and storm surge; earth movement including sprinkler leakage, flood, including soft costs and extra expense; and is available for projects of all sizes and scope.

TRU President Michael J. Pilla said TRU is developing other products for construction and technical risk clients that range from small projects to large engineered risks.

The Woodlands Financial Group

Texas-based retail and managing general agency, The Woodlands Financial Group Inc. (TWFG), has opened three new branch locations – one each in Texas, Oklahoma and Oregon.

Berry Olinghouse has opened a new branch location in Owasso, Okla. Olinghouse comes to TWFG with eight years of industry experience. She started as life and health agent and then worked for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau as a CSR. She worked for a brief period at American National and then finished up at the Farm Bureau before coming to TWFG as an agent.

Maria Marquez has opened a branch location in Highland Village, Texas. Marquez comes to TWFG with 11 years’ experience in the insurance industry, most of which were with Farmers Insurance.

Cable Hogue has opened a new branch location in Forest Grove, Ore. Hogue comes to TWFG with six years in the insurance industry, all of which were with Farmers where he started working part-time while in college. With Farmers, Hogue was a top producing auto agent in his district for four years.

TWFG has grown to include more than 165 exclusive branch office locations and 950 independent agencies across 17 states.

NCA Group, Gentry & Associates

Indianapolis, Ind.-based National Catastrophe Adjusters Inc. (NCA Group) has added Gentry & Associates Claims Services Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, to the NCA Group of Companies.

This represents NCA Group’s third acquisition in 2011. The addition of Gentry & Associates provides NCA Group with a daily loss adjusting platform in Texas, along with significant additional catastrophe exposure and resources in the state.

Founded in 1998 by L. Marsh Gentry, Gentry & Associates works with many Lloyd’s of London syndicates as well as a number of regional and national property insurance carriers within the United States. The firm has expertise in handling all aspects of commercial and personal lines property claims for both daily and catastrophic events.

Gentry & Associates personnel will continue to operate under the Gentry & Associates name and the company will maintain its current branch offices under the leadership of Marsh Gentry.

MarketScout Wholesale, Wastepac

MarketScout Wholesale, headquartered in Dallas, has acquired New York-based Wastepac from Insurance Specialty Group.

Wastepac is a general agent focusing on private businesses in the waste hauling and sanitation industries. It will remain in its current location in Port Jefferson, N.Y., under the leadership of Lee Orabona.

Glenn Hargrove, president of Dallas-based MarketScout Wholesale, called the acquisition an opportunity to “take an exceptional regional program to a national platform.”