Brown & Riding, Alexander, Morford & Woo Merge

Privately-owned wholesale insurance firms, Brown & Riding of Los Angeles and Alexander, Morford & Woo of Seattle have announced that they will merge their operations as of Dec. 31, 2010. The combined entity will serve retail brokerage clients throughout the United States.

The new company will operate in the Pacific Northwest as Alexander Morford & Woo (yet-to be formalized, subject to DOI approval), representing the AMW and Brown & Riding brands. In California and in parts of the country where AMW does not have a major presence, the company will operate under the Brown & Riding name.

Jeffrey J. Rodriguez will serve as president and CEO of the combined entity, which will be headquartered in Los Angeles. Sam Alexander and Chris A. Brown will be co-chairmen of the board, and Peggy Stromme will serve as chief operating officer.

Both firms provide casualty, property, professional liability and underwriting services. Brown & Riding has expertise in the construction, healthcare, and real estate markets. Alexander, Morford & Woo is a market leader in management liability, professional lines, underwriting, and property/casualty.

AMW has offices in Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Larkspur, Calif. Brown & Riding has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta.