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Wells Publishing Inc. has named Don Jergler as its new West editor for its flagship Insurance Journal online and print property/casualty insurance publications.

Jergler, based in California, will cover the western states for Insurance Journal magazine and for the web site, InsuranceJournal.com, and its Daily Headlines e-mail newsletter.

Jergler comes to Insurance Journal with a business journalism background that includes being a reporter or editor at three daily newspapers, three web sites and one magazine. His most recent position was as managing web editor of two trade websites based in Irvine, Calif. Before that he was the editor of the monthly business-to-business magazine Real Estate Southern California and West bureau chief of the company’s online component. He has worked at the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the San Gabriel Valley News Group and the Antelope Valley Press. Jergler is a graduate of Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Jergler can be reached at djergler@insurancejournal.com. He replaces Patti Tom.

The states in Insurance Journal‘s West region include California, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, Montana, Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Wells Publishing has also named a new East editor, Young Ha, based in New York, and a new advertising sales representative, Mindy Trammel, for its South Central/Texas territory.

In addition to publishing Insurance Journal, Wells Publishing, based in San Diego, Calif., publishes ClaimsJournal.com and MyNewMarkets.com. The Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance is also part of the Wells Publishing network.

Mark Bradway has been named business development manager of Encino, Calif.-based NAS Insurance Services. Bradway will oversee business development in the Northeast region. Bradway has more than 13 years of insurance sales, marketing and distribution experience.

Gerrit VandeKemp has joined Atlanta-based Swett & Crawford as an assistant vice president, and he will serve as a broker of professional services in the Denver office. Gerrit was recently as a senior underwriter with Allied World National Assurance Co. in Farmington, Conn. He also worked previously as a branch manager for Pennsylvania Life Insurance and director of marketing for Mortgage Investors Corp. in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Damien Magnuson has been promoted to senior vice president of Executive Perils. He reports to Peter Taffae, managing director, and works in the Los Angeles office. In his new role, Magnuson will continue to broker the management and professional liability business, as well as work to expand the company’s presence in the wholesale marketplace. Magnuson started with the company in 2004 as an associate broker.

Kyle Bridgwater has been named account manager/administrator for San Diego-based risk management and insurance brokerage Cavignac & Associates. Bridgwater is responsible for daily policy maintenance and servicing, and assisting with client insurance policy renewals. Bridgwater most recently was an account executive for San Diego-based Blue Horizon Insurance Services.

XL Insurance has appointed Marcia Blanco and Ursula Williams to its miscellaneous professional liability team in San Francisco. Blanco joins as the national practice leader for all MPL business and new product development. Williams joins as an assistant vice president. Blanco rejoins XL Insurance from Navigators Pro. Williams also rejoins XL Insurance from Navigators, where she was responsible for miscellaneous professional liability business accounts.

Encino, Calif.-based GNW-Evergreen Insurance Services LLC has appointed Teri Elliott as a client advisor in its nonprofit division. Elliott will serve the risk management and insurance needs of nonprofits with 501c3 designation and related organizations. Elliott previously worked with independent insurance firms in Southern California.

Encino, Calif.-based NAS Insurance has appointed Jerid Schmickle as senior vice president of its newly launched entertainment and sports division. He will head the facility, and target risks within the entertainment, hospitality, media and sports industries. Schmickle comes from NAS from Allianz/Fireman’s Fund, where he was a director of underwriting.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers has hired Eric Schroeder as senior vice president of its Orange, Calif. office. Schroeder will be responsible for producing new business in Southern California. He joins Heffernan after 11 years as senior vice president at another brokerage.

Aon Risk Solutions has appointed Jason Caya account executive of the San Francisco office. Caya is responsible for supporting Aon’s expansion in the San Francisco real estate industry. Caya moved from the company’s headquarters in Chicago, where he served as an account executive for real estate clients.

Mike Fitzgerald has joined Santa Ana, Calif.-based Devonshire as vice president of business development. His responsibilities include developing business initiatives and opportunities to help support and expand insurance and reinsurance business services. Fitzgerald previously was president and CEO of CNA’s Global Resource Managers.

Poms & Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. has promoted Seth Ford Gilman to executive vice president, a position at which Gilman will oversee the property and casualty and personal lines divisions. Gilman was previously a senior vice president. Prior to Poms & Associates, he was senior vice president with Kessler Risk and Insurance Services.

Willis North America has made Linde Hotchkiss managing partner of Willis’ San Diego. Hotchkiss’ responsibilities include implementing growth strategies. Hotchkiss previously served as finance partner of Willis’ Western Region. Also, Jack Yelverton has been named regional sales executive in San Diego, where he will serve Willis’ clients in the Western Region.