People

Philadelphia Insurance Cos. promoted Christopher J. Maguire and Sean S. Sweeney to co-presidents.

Maguire joined Philadelphia Insurance Companies in 1987 and has managed underwriting operations and production. In his most recent role as chief operating officer, his focus became building a franchise and creating alignment within each of the functional areas. In his new position as co-president and chief operating officer, he will be responsible for the operational oversight of all departments and strategic alignment.

In 1979, Sweeney began his now 31-year tenure at Philadelphia and helped to form the marketing department. Most recently he helped the business grow organically and by acquisition. In his new position as co-president and chief marketing officer, he will maintain oversight of sales and marketing and Valley Forge Insurance Brokerage. He will also assist with training and development and lead the Tokio Marine Group’s initiative to promote resource sharing among its subsidiaries.

EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center) added Bill Merget and Mike Ryan as principals in the Petaluma, Calif., office The pair have a combined 35 years of experience in commercial property/casualty insurance and risk management, focused on the needs of North Bay business and industry, including wine making, construction, nonprofits and the public sector. Prior to EPIC, Merget and Ryan spent many years at ABD Insurance and Financial Services in Petaluma, Calif. – now a part of Wells Fargo Insurance following an acquisition in 2007.

Professional services firm Towers Watson named Sean P. McDermott director of P/C consulting services. McDermott, who is based in the company’s Philadelphia office, is responsible for expanding the company’s presence in the P/C insurance market, with a focus of helping clients better understand and address the issues that arise in an acquisition. Prior to joining Towers Watson, McDermott was executive vice president and chief actuary for AXIS Insurance. Before joining AXIS, McDermott was senior vice president and actuary at American Re-Insurance (now Munich Re).

Worldwide Facilities Inc. added John Matthews as assistant vice president and Debra Kaser as broker in its Irvine, Calif., office.

Matthews spent 17 years with International E&S. Prior to International, he was a retail agent having spent five years with MDM Associates and 10 years with James P. Bennett.

Kaser spent the past 10 years as a broker with International E&S. Prior to International, Kaser was with Crump for seven years.

San Francisco-based BB&T Insurance Services of California Inc. named Wesley G. Justyn senior vice president in San Francisco. He has more than 25 years of sales experience and will be responsible for business development in the health care industry. He was a former chief financial officer of a hospital system.

Colemont Insurance Brokers named Susan Driscoll a casualty broker in the company’s San Francisco office. Driscoll joined Colemont in 2009 as a casualty broker, and is knowledgeable about manufacturing, food processing, technology, property, and construction risks segments. She began her career in 1973.

Insurance Network of America, a national insurance broker headquartered in Austin, Texas, added Anne R. Yeakel to its Professional Services Practice. She will head the Professional Enhancement initiative. Yeakel is the former director of the UT Law Alumni Association at the UT Law School Foundation, and the former executive director of the Texas Bar Foundation of the State Bar of Texas.

Valiant Insurance Group Inc. named James Lubeck vice president of the Management Liability Division. He will be based in New York City. Lubeck comes to Valiant with 20 years of professional experience, having held executive positions at Zurich Financial Services Group, Ace USA, American International Group and Dun & Bradstreet.

Topics Texas Agencies Property Casualty