Kristin Wall

Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation named Kristin Wall, president and chief operating officer, to replace Steve Cavanaugh as chief executive officer.

Cavanaugh tendered his resignation at the March 16 Board of Directors meeting.

Wall has been chief operating officer for six years and was promoted to president in 2004. Following her appointment to president of the corporation and under her direction, LWCC has received Ward’s designation as a Top 50 Property & Casualty insurance company in the nation, returned more than $25 million back to its policyholders over the past
two years, and has increased the company’s profitability substantially.

Patrick Kerael joined Capstone Underwriters Inc., based in Dallas, as executive vice president and chief financial
officer.

Kerael most recently held the position of comptroller and project manager for the Sanford Writing Division of Newell-Rubbermaid France. Previously he was comptroller at Baush & Lomb France.

Capstone also noted that Dorothy Martinez joined the company as senior underwriter. Martinez is a native Texan whose extensive insurance experience includes producing, underwriting and management at both the retail agency and managing general agency levels.

Maclean, Oddy & Associates Inc. appointed Eddie Wills to the position of assistant vice president and manager of its Underwriting Management Company. She will be headquartered in Dallas.

Wills has over 20 years experience in the insurance industry. She began her career with United States Fidelity & Guaranty from the Dallas office but later moved to California.

While in California, she worked on both the retail agency side and in the MGA/Brokerage arena. She has been employed for the past seven years as an underwriter/broker for Bliss & Glennon Inc., a $145 million MGA/Brokerage firm with many company appointments.

Wills is also involved with the National Association of Insurance Women and has just completed a term as the California State Director.

PWIB Texas, part of Insurance Specialty Group, reported that Russ Kirchner joined the company as senior underwriter/broker. Kirchner will work out of PWIB Texas’ San Antonio office at 1380 Pantheon Way, Suite 390. He has 35 years’ experience as an insurance wholesaler, having served several leading underwriting and brokerage firms in Texas.

Privately owned insurance and risk management firm McQueary Henry Bowles Troy L.L.P., based in Dallas, announced that Patrick Arthur, partner, recently received two prestigious awards: MHBT 2005 Producer of the Year, for his contribution to the company’s growth and cultural foundation, and Central Insurance Companies’ first Andre Award, for his industry leadership, caring for customers and fostering of a strong business partnership between MHBT and Central Insurance Companies.

The Andre Award, formerly known for the past six years as the Gameball Award, is given in honor of insurance industry icon Andre Juneau, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on Feb. 14, 2006.

Central Insurance bestows the Andre Award on an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the insurance industry and captures the spirit of sportsmanlike conduct in the course of business partnerships. The individual must also display a genuine concern for customers, energy for his or her business and fondness for his or her company.

Dallas-based Heartland Marketing Group Inc. added Nicole Cosco as a commercial lines production underwriter. Her responsibilities will include assisting agents in the placement of standard lines business with carriers such as The Hartford, Safeco, St. Paul/Travelers, America First, Zurich, CNA, Chubb, AIG and others.

Cosco comes to Heartland with both carrier underwriting and agency marketing experience.

ACE USA, the retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, appointed James J. Malloy senior vice president and regional executive officer for ACE USA’s Southwest Region.

Based in Dallas, Malloy will be responsible for setting and driving the overall strategic direction for ACE USA’s Southwest Region, which comprises northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. He also will oversee the regional production plan, distribution, product sales and marketing, producer management and general operations.

Malloy has more than 30 years of industry experience, with significant expertise in corporate underwriting, management and reinsurance. He has worked for the last 12 years in the Dallas region, most recently as resident vice president of AIG in Dallas. Prior industry experience includes serving as senior vice president for TIG in Dallas and various positions with Aetna Life & Casualty, Atlantic Mutual, American Reinsurance and AIG New York.

Argonaut Group Inc., a San Antonio, Texas-based national underwriter of specialty insurance products in niche areas of the property and casualty market, reported that Robert C. Ingram III joined the organization as senior vice president and chief information officer.

Ingram will report to Mark E. Watson III, president and chief executive officer.

Prior to joining Argonaut, Ingram served as senior vice president for Information Technology at USAA for seven years, where he was responsible for the technology functions supporting the property and casualty operation. Previously, Ingram served as a director with IBM; senior vice president and chief information officer for U.S. Long Distance; and as an associate partner with Andersen Consulting.

Lynnette Chastain, an account manager and producer for LegacyTexas Insurance Services, recently earned the Certified Insurance Counselor designation from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. Chastain also holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.

To submit information for the People column, e-mail ijtexas@insurancejournal.com.

Topics California Texas Agencies Underwriting Insurance Wholesale Market Property Casualty Chubb