People – South Central
Kristin S. Palmer has been named senior vice president and head of Communications at the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Palmer previously was vice president, Media Relations, for the AARP, a nonprofit organization for retirees with nearly 38 million members.
Prior to joining AARP in 2012, Palmer was the director of Public Affairs for the child care advocacy group Child Care Aware of America and served as senior communications manager for Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Previously, Palmer managed communications for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the Association of Public Television Stations. She began her career at Brodeur Partners, a global communications agency, and The Kamber Group, a boutique public relations firm.
Palmer will be based in the Washington, D.C. office. In addition to leading the I.I.I.’s media relations operations and acting as a primary I.I.I. spokesperson, she will be responsible for developing a communications strategy that expands the I.I.I.’s digital footprint, increases brand awareness and boosts engagement with the organization’s key stakeholders.
She reports to Andrea C. Basora, I.I.I.’s chief marketing officer, and head of the I.I.I.’s newly-formed Marketing and Communications Department.
Palmer assumes the role held previously by Jeanne Salvatore, who has been appointed chief engagement officer and senior spokesperson.
Marianna Wilson has been hired to serve as professional liability director for national accounts for the Big “I” Advantage program of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
The organization created the position to service and expand the program, according to Mark Wolf, Big “I” Advantage vice president.
Wilson previously worked for the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia where she served as program manager. She also spent 28 years in the insurance industry in numerous roles including client executive with the Pennsylvania agency RCM&D and as a claims adjuster.
Big “I” Advantage is a for-profit insurance agency subsidiary of the insurance agent trade group IIABA. The agency administers the Big “I” Professional Liability program, Big “I” Markets and other member benefits including personal umbrella and flood programs.
Sajeo Arguelles has joined the employee benefits group at Alliant Insurance Services as vice president in its New Orleans office. Arguelles will work with clients throughout the Southeast to design and deliver benefits solutions that reduce cost, increase coverage and maximize value.
In his new role with Alliant, Arguelles will service clients from a broad range of industries, focusing on programs and solutions that leverage the financial markets to optimize performance, including self-funded and captive programs.
Prior to joining Alliant, Arguelles was vice president with a New Orleans-based financial institution providing a range of benefits solutions, including program design, account servicing, claims management, and Affordable Care Act compliance consulting. This followed a multifaceted and successful career as a financial advisor.
Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., Alliant Insurance Services Inc. provides property/casualty, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, surety, and financial products and services to clients nationwide.