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Zurich Financial Services Group appointed Francis Bouchard head of the Climate Office. Bouchard will succeed Mike Kerner, who was appointed CEO of Global Corporate in North America.

Bouchard will work to institutionalize the company’s climate-related expertise across the organization and accelerate the development of new products. He will maintain his current role as Zurich’s global head of corporate communications. He joined Zurich in 1998 as vice president of Federal Affairs in the United States. In 2005, he was appointed head of government affairs for the General Insurance platform, followed by his appointment to corporate communications in the same year.

Michael J. Morrissey was appointed president and CEO of the New York-based International Insurance Society Inc. (IIS). Morrissey previously served as chairman and CEO of Firemark Investments. As a founder of Firemark, Morrissey also served as chief investment officer and portfolio manager of the Firemark Tiger Fund. He has advised insurance company management and served on several insurance company boards, as well as chaired the firm’s fund boards. He is also a director of Selective Insurance Group Inc. and CGA Group Ltd.

Morrissey succeeds Patrick W. Kenny, who will retire in June. Kenny has served as IIS president and CEO since 2001.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) awarded Alex Soto with the Woodworth Memorial Award, recognizing the contributions of an independent agent or broker to the national association, its members and to the insurance industry.

Soto is president and CEO of InSource Inc. in Miami and served as chairman of the Big “I” from 2006 to 2007. Soto also served on the national association’s executive committee and was chairman of IIABA’s Communications Committee, Natural Disaster Committee and Branding Task Force, which was responsible for developing the Trusted Choice consumer brand. Soto formerly served as chairman and state national director of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents and as vice chairman of the Florida Property Casualty Joint Underwriting Association (FPCJUA). He also was a member of the governor’s Commission on the Florida Insurance Crisis and served on the Florida Insurance Fraud Task Force.

Van Nuys, Calif.-based Momentous Insurance Brokerage Inc. named Grace Neumann an assistant vice president. Neumann has more than 20 years experience in providing asset protection consultation and insurance services for affluent clientele in Santa Barbara, Calif., and the entire United States. Most recently, she was a vice president with the Private Client Advisors practice of Hub International.

Burns & Wilcox named Kendra Corman marketing director. Corman is responsible for managing the company’s advertising and marketing initiatives.

Prior to joining Burns & Wilcox, Corman was the advertising manager for Jeep at Chrysler LLC. She was responsible for directing and executing the print, television and online advertising programs to support the Jeep brand campaign as well as the new product launch of the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Liberty.

The Employee Benefits department of United Risk Solutions Inc. expanded into Portland, Ore., and hired insurance veteran Jeff Akers as employee benefits consultant.

Akers brings close to 20 years experience in employee benefits to his new position. Prior to joining United Risk, he was director of sales and account services for The ODS Companies in Portland. Previous positions include vice president of sales and marketing at Complementary Healthcare Plans, and sales and management roles at Providence Health Plans, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence Life and Health.

W.R. Berkley Corp. appointed Richard M. Baio to the newly created office of vice president – treasurer. He will manage the investment accounting and tax departments, global currency, banking relationships and all related treasury functions.

Baio has more than 19 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, having served most recently as a director in Merrill Lynch & Co.’s financial institutions investment banking group, where he specialized in insurance company advisory, financing, merger and acquisition transactions. Baio previously spent a significant part of his career in public accounting advising the insurance industry as a partner in Ernst & Young’s insurance practice. Baio assumes the position of treasurer from Eugene G. Ballard, who remains senior vice president – chief financial officer.

American International Group Inc. (AIG) named Matthew E. Winter vice chairman, transition planning and administration. Winter succeeds Richard H. Booth, who has retired.

Winter will continue as president and CEO of American General Life Cos., a position he has held since joining AIG in 2006. He was elected AIG senior vice president in March 2007. Previously, he served as executive vice president and member of the Office of the CEO for MassMutual Financial Group.

AIG also named Jeffrey Hurd vice president and chief administrative officer to oversee global operations and systems, corporate administration and a variety of special projects. He will continue as senior vice president and head of asset management restructuring. He most recently AIG Investments senior managing director, chief administrative officer and general counsel.