People – East

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) announced the appointment of Kaj Samsom as deputy commissioner of the Insurance Division.

In his new role, Samsom will be the top official within DFR’s Insurance Division. He succeeds Crosby Sherman who has recently left the deputy commissioner post. Samsom joined DFR in 2006 as insurance examiner and in 2011 became director of the Insurance Division’s Licensing and Examinations section.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department appointed Deb Stone as director of financial regulation. Stone, who formerly served as an actuary and director of market regulation division at the department, brings 30 years of insurance industry experience to her new position.

Stone oversees a staff of eight, who support the financial regulation division’s three primary roles: financial examinations, financial analysis, and company licensing.

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) announced the appointment of Michele T. Oshman as associate deputy insurance commissioner and Victoria August as associate commissioner for compliance and enforcement.

As associate deputy commissioner, Oshman will serve as the designee for most quasi-judicial hearings. Prior to joining the MIA, Oshman served as chief deputy director in the Illinois Department of Insurance.

August’s appointment brings another experienced attorney to the MIA. August previously served as a senior contracts consultant for Becton Dickinson Diagnostics. August has also worked in several law firms, where her practice focused on insurance law.

Privately-held insurance broker Lockton appointed Chris Keith as president of its Philadelphia operation.

Keith will lead the broker’s Philadelphia team, focusing on business development and strategic client service for their property/casualty insurance and employee benefits clients. Keith has been a vice president and consultant with The Graham Company in Philadelphia for the past six years.

Beecher Carlson Insurance Services LLC, a specialized large account brokerage and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc., appointed Joe Roberta as managing director of the Northeast Casualty Brokerage.

Roberta will lead the Northeast Casualty efforts with both the New York and Boston Casualty staff reporting to him. He will report to the National Casualty Practice leader, Sharon Brainard.