People Moves: Korte Named Sr. VP at CNA; Stephan Joins The Plexus Groupe; Ryan Specialty Group Adds Behren

CNA

CNA appointed Dieter Korte senior vice president, Middle Market. In this role, Korte will be responsible for profitability, growth, and strategic direction of Chicago-based CNA’s middle market business unit.

Korte joined CNA in 2016 after 25 years of commercial leadership in the industry and has been an integral part of the organization working closely with agents and brokers to provide creative insurance solutions for Middle Market businesses.

The Plexus Groupe

The Plexus Groupe in Deer Park, Illinois, named Edmund A. Stephan III as corporate attorney, a new role.

Stephan serves an integral role providing oversight on all legal matters, contract review and client claims support. Stephan will also play a vital role in aiding the M&A strategy for agency growth. Based in Illinois, Stephan will work with colleagues and clients across the country and directly with senior leadership to deliver and stay ahead of client needs and strengthen the firm’s legal capacity.

Prior to joining The Plexus Groupe, Stephan served as associate general counsel for Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. in Northbrook, Illinois, where he provided litigation support as well as contract review and oversight of the company’s risk management and insurance programs.

The Plexus Groupe provides employee benefits, property/casualty insurance, corporate retirement plans, personal lines insurance, benefits technology services and mergers and acquisitions.

Ryan Specialty Group

Ryan Specialty Group LLC (Ryan Specialty) in Chicago added Kirk Behrens as chief operating and technology officer of Ryan Specialty Benefits.

Behrens will work closely with John Zern, president and CEO of Ryan Specialty Benefits, in leading the development of this specialty, which focuses on wholesale benefits brokerage and managing general underwriting capabilities to serve the needs of the retail brokerage community.

Behrens has extensive operations and technology experience within insurance brokerage. Prior to joining Ryan Specialty, Behrens held senior leadership positions at Aon including chief information officer, Aon plc. and chief operating officer, Global Health Solutions. He also previously held leadership roles at Marsh and was a management consultant at Accenture.

For over 25 years, Behrens has worked with insurance leaders to design and build health and risk solution to address some of the biggest challenges facing employers.