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Colorado Casualty, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company headquartered in Centennial, Colo., has appointed Brent Irving to regional vice president for the company’s Arizona territory, which includes Nevada and New Mexico.

Prior to this appointment, Irving was vice president of marketing since 2004. In this position, he was responsible for marketing programs, sales promotion, distribution, and agency training.

Irving will be responsible for commercial lines business, including the newly introduced workers’ compensation line, and maintaining strong partnerships with agencies appointed with Colorado Casualty in the region. Based in the Phoenix office, he will oversee a staff of approximately 50 employees.

Colorado Casualty provides insurance in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

CNA Financial Corp. named Bob Lindemann as president and chief operating officer of CNA’s Commercial Lines operations.

In this role, Lindemann will be responsible for CNA’s $3.5 billion commercial property/casualty business, which is now comprised of Business Insurance, serving smaller commercial accounts, and Commercial Insurance, serving middle market and risk management accounts.

Lindemann will report to Tom Motamed, chairman and CEO, CNA.

Lindemann has 33 years experience in the insurance industry. He joins CNA from Zurich North America, where he most recently served as chief operating officer of Commercial Markets. Previously in his Zurich career, he led the company’s middle market business.

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage, has appointed Jeff Parkhurst as a principal in its San Francisco office.

Parkhurst brings 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in construction underwriting, bonding and client production and management. His responsibilities will include acquiring new construction clients and leading the development and management of the company’s risk management, insurance and surety programs.

Prior to joining EPIC, Parkhurst was most recently a vice president with Woodruff Sawyer & Co. Prior to his brokerage career, Parkhurst was an assistant bond manager for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.

Ronie Foronda, account manager for Finance Insurance Ltd., in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been awarded the 2009 National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award. The Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) selected Foronda as the winner out of 45 state winners.

Lloyd’s of London has selected Hank Watkins as the new president for North America. He replaces LoriAnn Lowery who resigned from the position last June. Watkins will be based in New York. He assumes responsibility for all Lloyd’s operations in the US and Canada, including offices in New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Los Angeles, Virgin Islands and Montreal. Watkins has held a range of positions in both the U.S and Europe at global insurers and brokers, including Chubb & Son; Barney & Barney; Johnson & Higgins; Hilb Rogal & Hobbs and Marsh.

Los Angeles-based Lloyd S. Berkett Insurance Agency Inc. added two members to its staff. Barbara E. Lucas will be marketing manager of VIP accounts. She has more than 20 years of experience was previously with Bachrach & Associates and USI of California.

Sharon Ussery has been named personal lines manager overseeing the sales and marketing of the Personal Lines division. She has 15 years of experience and was previously with Sander A. Kessler of California.

Jennifer Hetzel of AmWins Wholesale took first place in the annual CWC Speak-Off held by the San Diego Insurance Women on July 20. She will now represent her association and compete on a state level in September.

CWC is a competitive speaking class presented by associations that are members of the National Association of Insurance Women International.

The runner up was Jeanne Bornhoft of Golden Eagle Insurance Corp.

Topics Colorado Casualty