Joseph Beneducci

People

Joseph Beneducci has been elected to president and chief operating officer of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, in Novato, Calif., according to Charles Kavitsky, chief executive officer. Beneducci was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in May 2003. Among the key positions he has held prior to being named chief operating officer were executive vice president and chief administrative officer, and senior vice president in the commercial business unit.

Provider Insurance Group has named Jamie Moran as an employee benefit specialist in the insurance agency’s Woonsocket, R.I. office. As an employee benefit specialist, Moran performs administrative duties assisting employees, retirees and insurance carriers regarding employee health, dental and vision benefits. Moran brings a decade of experience in employee benefit planning for for-profit and non-profit organizations in the southern New England. Provider Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency with offices in Needham, Brookline, and Belmont, Mass., along with Woonsocket.

Insurance broker and risk management consultant Beecher Carlson has significantly expanded its presence in the northeast region with the additions to its Boston office, which it first opened in March 2005. Beecher Carlson plans to open its expanded Boston office in April 2006. Recent additions include:

Jane K. Hahn, vice president, is in the Executive Liability Practice where her responsibilities include consulting, design, implementation and brokering of directors and officers liability, employment practices liability, fiduciary liability, cyber risks, fidelity and other related lines of coverage. Her most recent experience includes serving as assistant vice president of Willis Executive Risks.

Peter McGoldrick, vice president, is a vice president in the Executive Liability Practice where his responsibilities include broking and consulting services on all management liability and related lines of coverage. Prior to joining Beecher Carlson, McGoldrick served as assistant vice president at Willis’ Executive Risk Practice team in Boston.

Anne-Marie Niethold, is a new vice president. Prior to joining Beecher Carlson, she worked at William Gallagher Associates in the RIMS/Environmental Group on large casualty accounts concentrating on cash flow. Prior to WGA, Niethold worked at AON Risk Services.

Uta Randall, senior vice president, is responsible for marketing and servicing large casualty and property accounts. Randall spent more than 15 years at Hobbs Group Inc.

Nicole M. Rudolph, vice president, is vice president of sales and production for property, casualty and executive liability, with a concentration in the retail and energy industries.

Allen Williams, director of risk control, is responsible for coordinating pre-loss accident prevention and regulatory compliance services directed to the specific needs of Beecher Carlson clients. Williams served as national director of risk control at Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs.

Fabiola Dolc, risk analyst, is responsible for coordination of client deliverables and overall placement management supporting renewal and new business production in the energy practice. Prior to joining Beecher Carlson, she was with Eaton Vance Management and Clark Construction Company.

EJ Durgin, vice president for computer operations, is responsible for management of Beecher Carlson’s computer network infrastructure. He was with Hobbs Group.

Mercator Risk Services, newly formed, independent wholesale insurance broker in New York, has named several senior leadership appointments.

Michael S. Ryan has been named chief operating officer. In this role Ryan will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s operations and assist in the development and execution of its overall business strategy. Prior to joining Mercator, Ryan held several senior management roles at BenefitPort, a Connecticut based wholesale broker for employee benefits.

Gregg Calestini has been named executive vice president for client relationship management. Calestini will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with retail brokers and for overseeing service delivery to them as well as the positioning of Mercator’s brand image in the marketplace. Prior to joining Mercator, Calestini was a founding officer of American Wholesale Insurance Group (AmWINS), where he served as chief sales and marketing officer.

J.C. Sparling has been named executive vice president for property brokerage operations, which are organized nationally. Prior to joining Mercator, Sparling was a managing director at Marsh Inc. responsible for property operations in the Southeast.

Craig Simon has been named managing director for casualty brokerage and advisory services for large/complex risks. He is also responsible for Mercator’s industry practices serving Private Equity and Life Science/Medical Device risks. Simon was a managing director at Willis North America.

The Hanover Insurance Group reported that Michelle M. Sipple has been named regional vice president, marine, for the company’s New York and New Jersey region. Sipple will work out of the The Hanover’s Piscataway, N.J. office. Sipple joins from Fireman’s Fund, where she served as field underwriting director, responsible for underwriting, producer management, business planning, and marketing. Between 1988 and 2003, she held a variety of positions with The Chubb Group.

Jimcor Agencies, a Northeast excess and surplus lines wholesaler based in Montvale, N.J., made several management changes. Renee M. Azelby has joined the staff in Marlton, N.J., as a senior commercial lines underwriter, focusing her efforts on professional liability. Azelby comes to Jimcor with 15 years of experience in the industry, most recently working as a professional liability underwriting manager.

Frank Seigel has joined as the north New Jersey branch manager. Seigel brings with him 30 years of insurance experience ranging from commercial casualty underwriter for Aetna to chief operating officer for a regional insurance agency and most recently as vice president for a Pennsylvania wholesaler.

Joseph Schneider has been promoted to branch manager for Eastern Pennsylvania. Schneider has been with Jimcor for over a year, and has experience in various company underwriting positions.

Jimcor’s upstate New York office also promoted one of its own. Ricci Cooper is now assistant branch manager.

Jimcor Agencies has seven offices located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.