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Lawley, an independent insurance broker headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., has launched its life science insurance practice, led by life science veterans Jose Carbajal and William DeStefano. The team will be based out of Lawley’s Florham Park, N.J., office and service Lawley life science clients across the U.S.
The enhanced focus on this sector will offer specialized insurance and risk management options for life science and associated industries including hospitals, academic medical centers, biotechnology companies and universities.
Lawley’s life science insurance team will provide clients guidance on risks including, but not limited to clinical research, product liability, professional liability, directors and officers liability (D&O) and medical malpractice.
Carbajal joins Lawley with more than 15 years of experience, which has ranged from developing risk management products for emerging research and development companies to those with an international footprint and commercially available product. Most recently, he served across various positions at large insurance brokerage firms.
DeStefano brings more than 10 years of insurance experience to Lawley, previously working as a claims adjuster, account manager and senior account executive serving Fortune 1000 customers throughout the U.S. DeStefano accumulated experience working as part of a sales team at a third-party administrator, among other insurance brokers.
Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting. For more than 60 years, Lawley’s team of associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes, along with personalized protection for individuals and families. The firm has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Fredonia, Melville, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Conn., and Florham Park, N.J.
Crystal & Company, a New York-headquartered strategic risk and insurance advisor, has hired Mary Cooke as director for its Employee Benefits Services unit.
In her new role, Cooke works out of the firm’s national headquarters in New York City, where she is responsible for the strategic planning and daily supervision of benefit programs for mid-size and large employers and national accounts.
As the client’s primary point of contact, her responsibilities include program implementation, new product rollouts, communications and monitoring vendor performance.
Cooke began her benefits consulting career in 1989. Her former responsibilities have included operations management, staff development and mentoring, and directing delivery of client services, with special emphasis on renewal negotiations, compliance and health management and clinical products.
Kacy Campion Renna of Wall Township, N.J., was elected president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey (PIANJ) at the association’s annual business meeting at Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.
PIANJ is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout the state.
Renna is CEO of Connelly-Campion-Wright in Belmar, N.J., and a second-generation president of PIANJ.
Her father, Frank “Skip” Campion, served as president of the association in 1993.
As an active member of PIANJ, Renna served as vice president from 2014 until 2017, treasurer in 2013, secretary in 2012 and is vice president of the PIANJ Women’s Business Forum.
She also is vice president of the Government Affairs and Political Action sub-committees and is a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance Committee. Additionally, Renna is a member of the Carrier Advisory Council and the New Jersey Agents Justice Task Force.