People – South Central

Three members of the board of directors of the Insurors Group LLC, an alliance of independent insurance agents in Texas, were recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas at the group’s convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Peter Lauve, with CBS Insurance LLP in Abilene, was elected as IIAT chair for 2016-2017.

Rick Dudney, with TCOR Management in New Braunfels, will serve as IIAT chair-elect for 2016-2017.

Bob Shepard, the board chairman of Shepard Walton King Insurance Group in Harlingen, was named the 2016 Drex Foreman Award winner at IIAT’s 119th Annual Conference and Trade Show in San Antonio on June 17. The Drex Foreman Award is the highest honor awarded by IIAT and is named after Drex G. Foreman, who served as IIAT chief executive for more than 30 years.

The Insurors Group, based in Austin, has 12 member agencies strategically located across the state of Texas.

Nick Galati joined Texas-based independent insurance broker, RHSB, as assistant vice president. He is a sales executive focusing on commercial property/casualty insurance products and services for middle-market companies.

Galati has more than six years’ experience in the insurance industry. Most recently, he was with Lockton Companies. Prior to Lockton, Galati was with McLain Insurance Group.

The Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLSOT) appointed Denisse Orellana as director of Human Resources.

Orellana previously worked in the private sector for a promotional and marketing organization, as well as a manufacturing firm with responsibilities over general human resource functions, including employment and recruitment, employee relations, training and development, compensation and benefits administration.

Orellana also has served as a human resources professional for a state agency, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

National wholesale insurance broker and managing general agent, Worldwide Facilities LLC, added Matthew Begnaud in Houston office as senior vice president and broker.

Begnaud has more than 10 years of industry experience. Before joining Worldwide Facilities, Begnaud served as vice president of a managing general underwriter focused on providing unique solutions to the marine and energy industries.

In his new position with Worldwide Facilities, Begnaud plans to leverage his significant market contacts and experience to expand the office’s offerings and capabilities for oil and gas clients.

Suzy Baird joined Dallas-based Southwest Risk Agency Services LLC as assistant vice president/underwriter.

Baird is a 35-year veteran of the insurance industry. She previously worked at Atlantic Specialty Lines of Texas as the regional sales manager. Baird relocated to Texas two years ago from Anchorage, Alaska, where she ran the MJ Hall Alaska office.

Southwest Risk Agency Services LLC is a subsidiary of ClearView Risk Holdings LLC.

Shawn Langenegger joined XL Catlin’s marine business unit in Dallas.

He has 13 years of industry experience and joins from Allianz Global Corporate where he was inland marine team leader for the New Orleans, Houston and Dallas territories.

Langenegger will assume underwriting management of the same region at XL Catlin.

Dallas-based wholesale broker and MGA, LevelFirst, appointed Eric Miller as communications and marketing manager.

Miller joined LevelFirst in January on a contract basis. In July he joined the team full time, working with LevelFirst and also contributing to marketing and design efforts at IIAT Services Co.

Miller has worked in communications and marketing for more than a decade. He previously served as editorial director at Sacks Communications in New York City and as communications director for IBA West in Oakland, Calif.

LevelFirst was acquired by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) in 2014.

Lighthouse Management LLC, a licensed MGA representing Lighthouse Property Insurance Corp. (Lighthouse), appointed Kim Hernandez as the marketing representative for Central Texas.

A former sergeant in the Marines, Hernandez is a licensed P/C claims adjuster and currently is pursuing a Master’s degree in Securities and Risk Management through Boston University.

Lighthouse entered the Texas market in May 2015, and offers homeowners and flood insurance policies in the state.