People – Southeast

Aubie W. Knight has officially assumed the position of chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), the group announced.

Knight comes to IIANC with 21 years experience in the insurance industry. He most recently served as CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG), where he held the top leadership position since 2010.

Knight replaces Kelley Erskine, who served as CEO of IIANC from 2008 until September when he returned to the University of Central Arkansas for a job as chief of staff. Erskine, a graduate of the university, had served there as vice president for institutional advancement from 2004 until 2008.

IIANC Vice President Stuart Powell served as interim CEO until Knight came on the job.

Prior to joining IIAG in 1996, Knight worked as a producer for Mutual of Omaha Companies where he was named Rookie of the Year in 1992.

“IIANC is considered one of the best Big ‘I’ associations in the country, and I am honored to have been chosen as the next CEO. I’m excited to help IIANC build upon its continued success by bringing new energy and innovation to the members,” said Knight.

A graduate of the University of Georgia (UGA), Knight has been a part-time instructor of risk management and insurance classes in the UGA Terry College of Business since 2007. He served as chairman of the board for the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) in 2013 and is a 2009 graduate of GSAE’s Leadership Academy.

IIANC is a professional trade association representing nearly 1,000 independent insurance agencies and branches across the state.

Insurance broker Willis North America has appointed Paul Collins as managing partner with Willis Insurance Services of Georgia Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Collins has 17 years of experience in the insurance industry. Since 2012, Collins has served as managing partner of Willis’s New Jersey operations. Prior to Willis he held a variety of leadership roles with Brown & Brown Inc.

Collins will be responsible for Atlanta operations where he will focus on business development and expanding the firm’s footprint in the marketplace. Collins will report to Eric Hein, national partner for the South region for Willis North America.

Willis Insurance Services of Georgia touts its strong market positioning in the health care, construction and financial services industries. The business serves local and national clients from its offices in Atlanta as supported by 185 risk and insurance professionals.

Privately-held insurance broker Lockton Companies hired Liam Garrity as assistant vice president and producer for its Atlanta benefits operation.

As part of Lockton’s Southeast benefits operation, he will represent clients from middle market to global Fortune 100 companies across the U.S.

Insurance and reinsurance broker Willis North America has appointed Karyn Richcreek as vice president, Health Care Practice, at Willis of Orlando.

Richcreek will be responsible for business development and client retention of physician groups, accountable care organizations, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. She will report to Stan Merrell, managing producer, Willis of Orlando.

Richcreek has 25 years of experience in the health care risk management field. Prior to joining Willis, she served as producer and health care liability specialist at Oros Risk Solutions, LLC. Richcreek has also held roles at USI Holdings and Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Willis of Orlando includes 30 risk and insurance professionals serving local, national and multinational clients from offices in Lake Mary and Winter Haven.

Neil Lipuma has been appointed senior vice president for Hiscox USA. In this underwriting leadership role, Lipuma will oversee the strategic direction, sales and marketing activities for Hiscox’s Private Investment Fund Portfolio, which targets small to mid-sized fund space.

Lipuma reports to Gary Head, chief underwriting officer for Hiscox USA, and is based out of the company’s New York office.

Lipuma has 17 years of industry experience, most recently as assistant national manager for the private equity practice at Arch Insurance Group. Lipuma previously held positions at Hartford Financial Services and AIG.