People – East

Willis Group Holdings plc said Martin Sullivan – a former American International Group CEO who joined the brokerage in 2010 and has been serving as the Group’s deputy chairman and chairman and CEO of the Willis Global Solutions unit – will leave the firm in May to pursue other interests.

The London-headquartered Willis said Deputy CEO Steve Hearn, in his role as CEO of Willis Global, will lead the Global Solutions unit after Sullivan’s departure. Sullivan first joined AIG in 1971 and served as the company’s CEO from 2005 to 2008.

Former Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson was named chief executive officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Nelson will become the organization’s chief spokesperson in Washington, D.C. His responsibilities will include outreach to federal and international governmental entities, as well as state government associations, consumers and insurance representatives.

Prior to retiring from the Senate in 2012 after two terms, Nelson served as governor of Nebraska from 1990-1998. He also served as executive vice president and chief of staff for the NAIC (1982-1985); director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance (1975-1975); and executive vice president and then president/CEO of the Central National Insurance Group (1977-1981).

Bala Cynwyd, Penn.-based Philadelphia Insurance Companies said Robert O’Leary, Jr. has been named the new president and CEO of the company. O’Leary has been with Philadelphia Insurance for 30 years and most recently served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. He succeeds Sean Sweeney, who became CEO in the beginning of 2013 but is stepping down and leaving the company for personal reasons.

Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company appointed Michelle Impey as fine art director, personal insurance. Based in New York City, Impey comes to Fireman’s Fund from the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, where she served for 11 years as senior fine art specialist for the Eastern territory.

Bel Air, Md.-based independent broker Palumbo Insurance Associates appointed Elio Scaccio as account executive. Scaccio brings with him over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry with background in a wide range in personal, commercial, life, and supplemental health insurance services.

Liberty International Underwriters (LIU), part of the Global Specialty unit of Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance, has brought on Robert Rokicki as senior vice president of oil, gas, petrochemical and chemical (OGPC) property.

Based in New York City, Rokicki will have responsibility for all of LIU’s OGPC products in the U.S. and Latin America. Rokicki has 25 years’ experience in directing business across a range of energy property insurance and advanced technology products, processes and markets.

Ironshore International announced that Steven Komis has been appointed as president of Marine Re, based in New York. Komis will oversee the continued expansion of Ironshore’s Marine Re unit, a specialist marine reinsurance intermediary. He most recently served as vice president of marine and aviation for Century Insurance, a subsidiary of Meadowbrook Insurance Groups.

Melville, N.Y.-based WKFC Underwriting Managers appointed Brian Specht as executive vice president, professional lines. Previously, he was vice president of professional liability in commercial Insurance at Fireman’s Fund.

Valley Forge, Penn.-based GMI Insurance named Angela Milks as its underwriting director. Milks has more than a decade of experience writing and evaluating transportation risks for National Interstate Insurance Company. She has also worked for a transportation group captive program.

Montvale, N.J.-based Jimcor Agencies appointed Christopher Hofmann to the position of branch manager of the Plymouth Meeting, Penn., office. Hofmann brings with him over 15 years of insurance experience.

Topics New York