People

June 15, 2009

Kansas City-based insurance broker Lockton has added Michael Todorovich II as vice president and producer in its St. Louis office.

With more than 11 years of experience in the insurance industry, Todorovich’s expertise includes mergers and acquisitions and executive risk. He has extensive experience in the private equity, manufacturing and services industries.

Prior to joining Lockton in May 2009, Todorovich spent four years with Aon’s Financial Services practice, three years in Aon’s Trade Credit and Political Risk group, and the most recent four years as an Aon producer.

David Walker of the Hartland Insurance Agency in Hartland, Mich., has been named to the Executive Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA).

As an Executive Committee member, Walker will work with the IIABA association board members and staff to develop policies in legislation, public relations, education, technology and marketing.

Columbus, Ohio-based Grange Insurance announced that Phil Urban, president and CEO, will retire in February 2010. Urban will remain with the company in his current position through the transition to a replacement.

Urban joined Grange in 1999. Since that time, the company’s geographic footprint has more than doubled, and revenues have grown from $716 million to $1.35 billion, with more than $2 billion in assets. Urban introduced the company’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) concept, a guiding force in the company’s push to enhance products, partnerships and technology.

Grange Mutual Casualty board chairman Michael V. Parrott said Grange will be looking at internal and external candidates in its search for Urban’s replacement.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based United Fire & Casualty Co. announced that four directors have been elected for full terms on the company’s 13-member board, Brad M. Sayre was appointed an assistant vice president, and John A. Rife is retiring as president and chief executive officer of its subsidiary, United Life Insurance Co.

Elected to the board of directors for a three-year term expiring in 2012 were: Christopher R. Drahozal, professor of law, University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kan.; Jack B. Evans, president, Hall-Perrine Foundation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Thomas W. Hanley, teacher, Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and George D. Milligan, president, The Graham Group Inc., Des Moines, Iowa. As part of the company’s long-term plan of succession, United Fire President and CEO Randy A. Ramlo has been named president of United Life.

United Fire & Casualty Co. markets its products principally through its regional offices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (company headquarters); Denver, Colo.; and Galveston, Texas.

The Minnesota Chapter of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society in mid-May elected and installed new officers for 2009-2010.

The new officers are: President Michael L. Happe, SFM; President-Elect Royanna Carle, Berkley Risk Administrators Company; Vice-President Patrick Kelly, of Kelly Insurancenter; Treasurer Joseph P. Cranny, The Hanover Insurance Group; and Secretary Gary Pasterik of Western National Insurance Group.

New chapter board members include: Jeff Ewins, Country Financial and John L. Eickhoff, Federated Insurance Cos.

Kevin and Kathy Flynn of K. Flynn Insurance Agency in Troy, Mo., have been award the inaugural Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. The award recognizes member agents for going above and beyond in volunteering time and enthusiasm to causes close to their heart.

As recipients of the award, the Flynns receive a $2,500 contribution for the charity of their choice and were recognized at the 2009 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The charity they selected is the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Sadly, Kevin and Kathy lost three sons, Kolby, Karey, and Korey, to muscular dystrophy while growing their business, raising their three other children (Kelly, Kasey and Kelsey) and volunteering for many community service projects. The Flynn family is a committed supporter of MDA and raises money to help find a cure for the disease.

The K. Flynn Insurance Agency holds an annual golf tournament with all proceeds donated to the cause. The Flynn’s daughter, Kelly Fowler, sponsors the local DECA organization which recently held their 4th annual 5K run/walk to raise money for the MDA.

Loss adjusting and claims management services provider GAB Robins North America Inc. has promoted Chicago-based Greg Giel to executive general adjuster, the highest adjusting level in the company.

Giel joined GAB Robins in 1999 as an international claims specialist and has more than 32 years of industry experience. A year after joining the company, he was promoted to national general adjuster. He specializes in the areas of product liability, ocean marine, inland marine and international claims program management.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers appointed Brian Billhartz, Larry Jackson and Cindie Allscheid to establish a new office in Chesterfield, Mo. – Wrap Up Insurance Solutions – which specializes in construction wrap ups.