Business Moves

Veracity, Stratus

Pleasant Grove, Utah-based Veracity Insurance Solutions LLC has acquired Stratus Insurance Services Inc.

Of particular interest to Veracity was Stratus’s collective experience in program management. The Stratus team brings decades of expertise to Veracity. Stratus members joining Veracity officers include Daryle Stafford as president and CEO, Chris Van Leeuwen as vice president of sales and Melanie Allen as vice president of operations.

The enhanced Veracity product line now includes complete Program Management Services, small business insurance, wholesale brokerage, vitamin and supplement insurance, outdoor recreation insurance and a host of specialty and general liability services.

Veracity specializes in the placement of programs, general liability and product liability insurance.

Sams & Associates

Sacramento, Calif.-based Donald K. Sams & Associates Inc., an independent claims adjuster has expanded into Arizona.

The expansion into the southwest was essential to accommodate the needs of their clients throughout all of Arizona including territories such as Phoenix, Tucson and Kingman, according to Sams.

The company also has its sights set on further western expansion.

Apheta, O’Riordan

San Diego, Calif.-based O’Riordan and Associates, a strategic financial planning and insurance firm, announced it has merged with Apheta, a financial and insurance planning firm.

Michael O’Riordan, founder and president of O’Riordan and Associates, brings more than 25 years of experience delivering wealth preservation tools.

Apheta is an advanced planning firm based in Southern California. Apheta has a strong presence and reputation in the professional sports and entertainment industry.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Insurance — part of Wells Fargo & Co. — announced a new regional structure for its insurance brokerage and consulting division.

Previously operating with 15 regional offices, the business is now based upon seven regions, with approximately 160 local offices. Serving the insurance needs of business banking, middle market, large corporate and high net worth clients, the group is led by Kevin Kenny, executive vice president with Wells Fargo Insurance.

Northwest Region will be led by Rich Lane, and will include Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Southwest Region will be led by Howard McClure, and will include Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

West Region will be led by Sam Elliott, and will include Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Southern/Central California and Utah.

Midwest Region will be led by John Meder, and will include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Northeast Region will be led by Pete Gilbertson, and will include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Mid-Atlantic Region will be led by John Meehan, and will include District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

South Region will be led by Tom Longhta, and will include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Wells Fargo Insurance writes $20 billion of premiums annually in property, casualty, benefits, international, personal lines, and life products.

A.M. Best

Rating agency A.M. Best’s London office said it has obtained the necessary approvals to establish a branch operation in the Dubai International Financial Center in Dubai, UAE.

The new office will serve Middle East-North Africa, South and Central Asia.

The company said rating analytics will continue to be performed by teams based in London and Hong Kong.

Vasilis Katsipis has been appointed general manager for market development, and will be responsible for the office in Dubai reporting to Nick Charteris-Black, managing director, market development A.M. Best — EMEA.