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Martha A. Lees has been named deputy superintendent and general counsel for the New York State Insurance Department. She advises the superintendent on legal matters and oversees the preparation of legal opinions, the promulgation of regulations and the management of all litigation involving the department. She joined the Department after four years at the New York State Attorney General’s office, where she served as assistant attorney general in the Litigation Bureau. Prior to her service at the attorney general’s office, Lees spent several years as a full-time law professor.

CNA announced that Robert Ivey, who recently joined the company as branch vice president of its Philadelphia office, has also been appointed branch vice president of its Reading, Pennsylvania office.

CNA has also appointed Belinda Mattucci-Mychajliw to commercial underwriting officer for its New York Metro branch office. In this position, she joins nine recently announced commercial underwriting officers who will add local underwriting leadership and technical underwriting capabilities to branch offices in order to strengthen relationships with producers. She brings more than 28 years of insurance experience to her new role. She began her career with The Hartford and joined CNA as underwriting director in 2003. She has served as branch vice president for the New York Metro branch office since 2007.

New York-based program administrator The Brownyard Group has formed a new division, Brownyard Client Services, to serve as a facilitator between its agents and brokers and its underwriting and claims teams. Co-managing the new division will be Judy Loria, who has been named account services manager, and Ruth Connelly, who has been named client relations specialist. Loria will be the main contact for insureds, facilitating contact between Brownyard Group and the agents and brokers.

New York-based risk management firm RMI Consulting has hired Ira E. Sorkin as senior consultant. Sorkin previously worked with Marsh, providing risk management services and analysis to the 30 Major League Baseball clubs covered under the league-wide property/casualty program through the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball in New York City.

Connecticut-based insurer W. R. Berkley Corp. has named Dale H. Pilkington president of its newly launched Verus Underwriting Managers division. Pilkington has more than 30 years of experience in the commercial insurance industry, with a primary focus on excess and surplus lines.

The company also appointed Jeffrey M. Hafter and Lucille T. Sgaglione as senior vice presidents for W. R. Berkley. Hafter has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry. He most recently served as president of a casualty agency subsidiary of a managing insurance agent and underwriter of specialty casualty insurance. Sgaglione has over 20 years of experience in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry. She most recently served as global head of large complex claims for a major insurer.

Bermuda-based Ariel Reinsurance Company Ltd. appointed Tom Hulst as CEO. Hulst has been with the Ariel Re since shortly after its formation in December 2005, serving initially as senior vice president, and since mid-2008, as president. Hulst has 20 years of industry experience in a variety of underwriting and management positions.

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. has named Lauren Bailey vice president of entertainment in commercial insurance. In this new position, Bailey will be responsible for managing the direction and priorities for the entertainment business and accountable for driving profitable growth. Fireman’s Fund insures the entertainment industry, including film and television productions, television commercials, documentaries and musical artists. Bailey has been at Fireman’s Fund for 25 years and most recently served as a regional underwriting executive.

Topics New York Agencies Underwriting Market Property Casualty Casualty Human Resources