People – South Central
Louisiana-based insurance carrier, LCTA Workers’ Comp (LCTA), hired Christine Martin as chief financial officer (CFO).
A certified public accountant, Martin has more than 20 years of financial management experience. Most recently, Martin served as director of accounting and controller at Myron F. Steves and Co., overseeing financials and driving the annual audit. Martin also previously held various positions at subsidiaries of HCC Insurance Holdings Inc., including vice president and CFO.
LCTA’s mission is to provide cost effective workers’ compensation products and services to Louisiana businesses.
Texas-based workers’ compensation insurer, Service Lloyds Insurance Co., added Todd Richardson as business development manager in its Underwriting unit.
He has more than 28 years of insurance experience building on his educational background of a degree in business administration and finance, and holds the CPCU and CIC insurance designations.
Richardson began his career in 1988 and has served in various managerial capacities, including regional commercial lines manager, regional middle market vice president, middle market sales underwriter and claims supervisor.
His industry experience includes affiliations with Foremost Insurance Co., Great American Insurance Co., The Hartford and State Auto.
Richard Newberry has been named chief executive officer of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) to succeed Vijay Ramachandran, who has led Louisiana Citizens as interim CEO since 2015.
Newberry has served in many capacities for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. over his career. Beginning in 1993, he worked his way through the claims department from adjuster to vice president of Claims. He currently serves as the executive vice president and general manager of Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual.
The independent insurance agency network, Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA), elected Mack Purifoy as president for the coming year and David Wellmann as secretary.
Purifoy owns Purifoy & Company Insurance in Temple, Texas.
Wellman is president of Wellmann Insurance Agency Inc., Brenham, Texas.
CAA currently has 53 member agencies and continues to seek out independent agencies in the central United States, including Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Each CAA management committee member serves a staggered two-year term and is selected by the organization’s board of members based on leadership abilities and contributions to the organization.
Other members of the 2016-17 Management Committee are: Chairman Roger Luttrell, president of Benton Luttrell Co. in Van Alstyne, Texas; Executive Vice President Trent Richmond, senior vice president of Garrett Insurance Agency Inc. in Kerrville; Central Region Vice President Rick Elliott, owner and president of Elliott Insurance Group (EIG) in Louisburg, Kan.; Treasurer Pete Bibby, managing partner of Bibby, Brilling & Associates LLP, in Dallas, with another location in Ennis, Texas (dba Arden Insurance Agency); and Past President Bill Martin, president of Grona Boles Martin Bloxsom Insurance in San Antonio.
LevelFirst, the wholesale broker and MGA binding facility owned by IIAT Services Co., named Kelley Sanchez as vice president. Sanchez will underwrite new business opportunities with the Transportation Division.
She has more than 10 years’ experience in the industry.
Sanchez came to LevelFirst from USG where she has specialized in transportation since 2011. Prior to USG, she worked as a transportation underwriter for The Parks Group of Arlington.
Sanchez also served for 10 years in the United States Navy.
Managing general agent Scottish American hired Johnnie O. Yellock II as marketing director in the company’s Dallas office.
A Texas native, Yellock is a former Air Force staff sergeant. Both of his legs were seriously injured by an improvised explosive device while on combat duty in Afghanistan in 2011.
He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal for his actions that day. After enduring 30 surgeries on his limbs over three years he was medically retired from active duty.
Yellock enjoys public speaking and continues to serve other veterans, fellow wounded service members and Gold Star families through various non-profits.