People – Southeast
Dr. Therese M. Vaughan announced she will step down as chief executive officer of the organization of state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), during the first quarter of 2013, a post she has held three and one-half years. She cited family obligations and the desire to revise a textbook as reasons for leaving the post.
The former long-time Iowa insurance commissioner took over as CEO on Feb. 18, 2009, replacing Catherine J. Weatherford, who left the NAIC in July 2008.
“I am especially proud of the work we’ve accomplished in the areas of U.S. solvency modernization and global insurance regulation,” said Vaughan. “I believe the U.S. system of state-based insurance regulation remains the strongest in the world and the ongoing work by regulators is improving the framework every day.”
During her tenure as CEO, Vaughan has overseen operations of the NAIC, including offices in Kansas City, New York and Washington, D.C. The CEO serves as the association’s primary representative in Washington. Prior to joining the NAIC, Vaughan was a professor of insurance and actuarial science at Drake University.
Aon Risk Solutions recently announced the addition of Wesley Williams as surety leader in the construction services group. Williams is based in Aon’s Atlanta office. He will focus on the customization of surety products and expanding the construction services group in the Southeast region.
Prior to joining Aon Risk Solutions, Williams served as an underwriting consultant at Liberty Mutual. He is a member of the Surety Association of Georgia, Florida Surety Association and Associated General Contractors of Georgia.
Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. named Paul Fuegner vice president of brand management, responsible for maintaining and strengthening the company’s brand.
Fuegner comes from ViVa Beverages, where he served as chief marketing officer. He has also held executive marketing roles with The Griffin Group, SKYY Spirits and Diageo.
Lancaster, Penn.-based Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc. has appointed Steven Weeks as regional business executive for the Gulf South territory at its Eastern Alliance Insurance Group unit, which specializes in workers’ compensation. Weeks will work directly in the Gulf South territory (Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama) from a regional office in Mississippi, which is expected to open in a few months. He will spearhead long-term strategy and manage the day-to-day operations in the region.
Weeks has 24 years of experience, with specific focus on workers’ compensation and medical professional liability. He most recently served as the director of four companies and five profit centers in Mississippi for HPI Company and MHA Solutions. He was previously in marketing for the Virginia Insurance Reciprocal/The Reciprocal Group. He currently serves on the board of the Mississippi Association of Self Insurers and the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Committee Advisory Council.
Kevin M. Hunter has joined insurance broker Lockton Companies as a risk management advisor and producer based in the insurance broker’s Memphis office. He is responsible for client advocacy and new business development in commercial insurance and employee benefits.
Hunter has 20 years of experience in business including in insurance and risk management. Most recently, Hunter co-founded Abston-McKay Ventures with Orr Family Properties to develop the Sportsman Casino and Lodge at Casino Strip in the Northern Mississippi River Gaming Counties marketplace. AMV later merged through private investors to become Riverton Tunica LLC, where Hunter served as CEO. He was also previously a vice president at HUB International.