People

Appalachian Underwriters, Inc. has hired workers’ compensation underwriter Alon Cohn to its Sanford, Fla., office.

Cohn will focus on the production of new workers’ compensation business in the Southeast region, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Previously a production underwriter managing over 100 books of business, Cohn comes to Appalachian Underwriters with an insurance background and has experience in insurance marketing and investigating workers’ compensation claims.

Appalachian Underwriters Inc. is an MGA and wholesale insurance brokerage, providing independent agents with a national outlet to multiple specialized markets for workers’ compensation, commercial specialty, and personal lines of insurance.

J. Craig Collins has joined Insurance Designers of America LLC as president.

In his role, Collins will direct general business development, including creating strategic business initiatives and expanding sales and marketing activity for the organization. Additionally, he will have primary responsibility for managing relationships with partner insurance carriers.

Collins has more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and leadership experience in managing and developing independent distribution.

He comes to Insurance Designers from Highland Capital Brokerage, where he was senior vice president of Business Development and head of HighCap Financial, a producer group. He previously served as senior vice president at Voya Financial (formerly ING US) and was responsible for Independent Life Insurance sales.

Collins began his insurance career as an agent in 1977 and has held several positions with major U.S. insurance companies. He has been actively involved in the industry, including through his participation in several associations.

Collins replaced Dick Schuettner, who retired March 31.

Insurance Designers of America is an insurance marketing organization (IMO).