People

Crop insurer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co. of Iowa (FMH), announced that James A. Brost, retiring senior vice president with Holborn Corp., will join the FMH board of directors on Jan. 1, 2018.

Brost began his reinsurance career in 1975 at E. W. Blanch and began working with FMH in 1978. He has been involved with crop insurance since 1976 and was a founding member of Collins Associates, which brokered business for the majority of the crop insurance industry prior to being acquired by Guy Carpenter.

Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FMH has served America’s farmers since 1893.

Indianapolis, Indiana-based MJ Insurance has named Chad Miller as chief information officer. He will serve the firm’s offices in Indiana and Arizona.

Miller is responsible for guiding the planning and implementation of the digital vision and implementing the strategic direction and management of all aspects of technology for MJ Insurance.

Most recently, Miller served as interim IT director at MJ Insurance where he developed an action plan to deliver reliable, secure systems and efficient, value-added processes. Prior to MJ, he held the position of senior director of the Technology Department at Butler University.

To enhance the work experience and environment for all employees, MJ Insurance recently expanded its Phoenix office to a more expansive, tech-oriented location, and announced the relocation of the Indianapolis headquarters to a more flexible, collaborative workplace in summer 2018.

Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Employee Plans LLC hired Donn Duhon as vice president of new business development.

Duhon focuses on bringing creative and cost-effective solutions to employers pursuing a self-funded benefits program for their employees.

He has 30 years of industry experience and formerly served as sales and marketing executive at Houston International Insurance Group (HIIG).

Employee Plans became part of the Prime Risk Partners family in 2016.

Kansas City-based global insurance broker Lockton has added Brian Clanton to its Nebraska operation.

Bringing more than 20 years of industry expertise, Clanton will work with businesses to develop solid insurance, risk management and employee benefits programs.

Prior to joining Lockton, Clanton held a variety of roles with a focus in commercial insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and property/ casualty, and has extensive underwriting experience. Most recently, he led operations for UNICO Group.

Clanton holds multiple high-level insurance designations including Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate, Reinsurance Administration (ARA).

Route 66 Insurance in Cuba, Mo., has hired Abigail Mitchell as an insurance producer.

In this position, Mitchell will work with existing accounts, generate leads and develop new business.

Founded in 2017, Route 66 Insurance is a full-service insurance agency that specializes in auto, home, business and farm insurance.

The agency is a member of Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA).

Ellsworth Insurance Agency in Edwardsville, Illinois, added Shelly Pruett as an insurance advisor.

In this position, Pruett will provide specialized insurance guidance and professional advice to the agency’s clients and prospects.

Prior to joining the company, Pruett served as an office manager and agent at an Illinois insurance agency.

Founded in 2016, Ellsworth Insurance Agency is owned by Kurt Ellsworth and is a member of Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA).

Chicago-based insurer CNA appointed Greg Dasher vice president of underwriting for its small business segment and named Katie Wilson as senior vice president, commercial underwriting services.

Dasher joined CNA in 1997 as a senior underwriter. Since that time, he has held varying roles with increased responsibility across CNA, including underwriting consultant, Western Zone underwriting director, director of product development and assistant vice president, product and underwriting. Most recently, Dasher served as assistant vice president, underwriting services.

Wilson has 30 years of industry experience and joined CNA in 2005 as vice president, package and general liability underwriting. Most recently, she served as vice president, general liability, cyber and E&O underwriting.

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker J.M. Wilson promoted Seth Mahaffey to transportation underwriter in its Westerville, Ohio, office.

Mahaffey will quote new and renewal accounts for commercial transportation risks, as well as issue policies and service accounts for independent insurance agents in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia.

He joined J.M. Wilson in March as an assistant transportation underwriter.

J.M. Wilson also added Jen Dugan as sales and agency relations specialist for its Indiana and Ohio offices.

Dugan will be the primary resource and liaison for independent insurance agents by offering product knowledge and quality service, as well as building relationships with agency partners.

Dugan has more than 14 years of experience in the insurance industry where she held various roles with a specialty in claims.

Insurance brokerage and consulting firm, USI Insurance Services (USI), has added Michael Cunningham and Brent Hyer in its Independence, Ohio, office.

Cunningham joins USI as an employee benefits consultant. Previously, he was an account executive with Liazon, a private benefits exchange company that is part of a large insurance brokerage firm.

Hyer joins USI as a junior account manager. Prior to joining USI, Hyer was the campus sales lead for Utah State University Campus Store.

USI is headquartered in Valhalla, New York.

Aviation and aerospace insurance specialist Wayne Wignes joined Alliant Insurance Services as a senior vice president. He is based in Chicago.

At Alliant he will provide targeted risk management and insurance solutions to a national portfolio of clients as the company continues to expand its reach within the industry. Prior to joining Alliant, Wignes was vice chairman in the aerospace division of a global risk and insurance agency.

Alliant Insurance Services Inc. is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif.

JMB Insurance Agency, a Chicago-based risk management services and insurance brokerage, has added Ben Kanter as a producer to work with its rapidly expanding private equity and real estate groups.

Kanter is responsible for the development and acquisition of new brokerage clients. He has more than 15 years of financial services experience. Prior to JMB Insurance, he was a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.