People and Places
Charles F. Taylor, CPCU, ARe, has joined ISU International as regional sales manager in ISU’s Indianapolis office, announced T.J. Ryan, III, president.
The ISU Group is a national network comprised of 90 select agencies. All of the member offices remain locally owned and operated while utilizing the collective strengths and resources of a national firm which the network provides.
As a part of overall growth plans, ISU will expand its presence in the Midwest, and Charlie will be instrumental in this process, ISU President T.J. Ryan said.
Ryan added that Taylor brings a background that includes 35 years of insurance company management experience with Indiana Insurance Company, General Casualty Insurance Company and Indiana Lumberman’s Mutual.
Taylor will be responsible for developing and creating new member relationships with growth-oriented, professional agencies throughout the Midwest and continue to brand ISU Insurance Services as premier independent agencies in the country.
Wisconsin-based Markel American Insurance Company has announced that John Dwyer has been promoted to senior vice president and Diane Lunde has been promoted to vice president.
John Dwyer joined MAIC in April, 1990 and was promoted to vice president in 2000. During Dwyer’s 15 years with MAIC he has made contributions in the areas of underwriting, customer services, claims and administrative services areas. Dwyer’s technical insurance knowledge of Markel American’s products is an invaluable asset, according to the Merkel executives.
Lunde joined MAIC in March, 2003 as controller. In addition to her role as controller, she is responsible for the compliance associates at MAIC. She is an active participant in the company’s Executive, Opportunity and Product Teams. Her contributions to MAIC and her expertise in the financial and compliance aspects of its operations are an invaluable asset to the organization, according to the Markel executives.
Markel American Insurance Company, a division of Markel Corporation specializes in the niche markets of motorcycles, ATVs, marine, special event & specialty property Insurance.
Lloyd’s of London has selected Richard Ward, former head of the London-based International Petroleum Exchange, as its new chief executive officer. He spent six years as CEO of IPE, which has been re-branded as ICE Futures, in advance of the parent company listing on the NYSE in November 2005.
Lloyd’s began the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Nick Prettejohn last December, when he left to take over Aviva’s U.K. operations.
Although Ward’s expertise does not appear to encompass any actual insurance experience, the appointment of an outsider didn�t come as too great a surprise. Lord Levene, who likewise had no background in insurance when he became chairman, had indicated that he preferred someone from outside Lloyd’s to take over as CEO.
Ward has a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Exeter University. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a member of the Royal Institution and the Institute of Directors. He is a non-Executive Director of LCH.Clearnet, formerly the London Clearing House.
Commenting on his appointment, Ward stated: “Having spent many years running a financial market in the City of London, I am acutely aware that Lloyd’s is one of the great global brands and has made significant strides forward, overcoming major challenges. The market is in a strong financial position but is ambitious to move forward to the next stage.”
The appointment is subject to his formal appointment to the Council of Lloyd’s as a Nominated member and confirmation of that appointment by the Governor of the Bank of England. Such confirmation has been received from the Governor. The appointment is also subject to approval by the Financial Services Authority.
He will start work at Lloyd’s on April 24.
Indiana-based Conseco Inc. recently announced that William Fritts has joined the company as executive vice president, government relations.
As executive vice president, Fritts will manage Conseco’s regulator relationships, monitoring legislative and regulatory development, and act as the main interface with regulatory associations. He will coordinate Conseco’s government relations function on an enterprise-wide basis, overseeing activities at Conseco Insurance Group, Bankers Life and Casualty Company, and Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company.
Fritts joins Conseco from The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, where he served as executive vice president responsible for oversight and coordination of PCI’s federal and state political advocacy and public affairs efforts. Prior experience includes senior positions at Intersect Strategies Group, a government and business consultant organization, ING Americas and ReliaStar Financial Corporation. He also served as the Washington representative of the NAIC, Minnesota chief of staff for U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger.eral agencies.
The Hylant Group announces the addition of Chris Falloon as account executive for Commercial Lines in its Fort Wayne, Ind., office. His experience includes 14 years at General Motors Corporation in Pontiac, Mich. At GM he was a planning administrator, Sr. manufacturing engineer, manufacturing engineer, and a tool and die supervisor.
Fallon earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He recently received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is working towards his P&C License Exam and hoping to be underway in early March.
Hylant Group is a 70-year old, privately held insurance agency serving businesses and individuals around the world. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, the firm has offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Troy and Ann Arbor, Michigan; as well as Indianapolis,Bloomington, Ill., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Hylant is a member of the Worldwide Broker Network and is currently ranked by the Hales Report as the 6th largest privately held broker in the nation.