South Central News

People Moves: Ayers Joins Risk Services–Leavitt Insurance Agencies

Kim Ayers joined Risk Services – Leavitt Insurance Agencies, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, as a commercial insurance agent. Ayers has worked in insurance for Leavitt Group since 2016, previously serving as a producer with Leavitt Recreation and Hospitality Services, Inc. …

People Moves: Hotchkiss Insurance Expands Partnership with Bailey, Fondren and Rivera

Hotchkiss Insurance, headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, is named of three new partners: Chris Bailey, Chase Fondren, and Dustin Rivera. Bailey has been an integral part of Hotchkiss for the past nine years, serving as a commercial insurance specialist. Before joining …

Austin Flood Mitigation Makes Residents Eligible for 25% Insurance Discount

Austin residents can now receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance thanks to the city’s upgraded Community Rating System score from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Last month, FEMA notified the City of Austin that it …

People Moves: Skyward Specialty Expands Media Liability Team

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, headquartered in Houston, named three new members to its media liability team Andrea Taylor is Skyward’s new vice president of media liability. Taylor has 25 years of leadership and underwriting expertise, specializing in the segment. She …

Mercury Launches New Umbrella Insurance in Oklahoma

Rising liability injury claims for home and auto owners that exceed traditional policy limits have spurred Mercury Insurance, headquartered in Los Angeles, to unveil an all-new personal umbrella insurance policy for Oklahomans that offers extra protection with bolstered coverages beginning …

People Moves: BenefitMall Appoints Wong Benefits Sales Executive for Texas

BenefitMall, headquartered in Dallas, hired Trent Wong as a benefits sales executive for Texas. Before joining BenefitMall, Wong was a senior account manager at Energy Insurance Agency and a small group sales representative, specialty, with Humana.

People Moves: IMA Financial Group Names Mizell Director of Energy & Marine Practice

IMA Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Denver, named John Mizell as a director within IMA Houston’s energy and marine practice. Before joining IMA, John led McGriff Insurance Services, Inc.’s Houston office as executive vice president and energy and marine practice …

People Moves: Smith Joins Alliant as Specialty Lending Practice EVP; Braniff, Jr. Named EVP, Alliant Americas

Smith Joins Alliant Insurance Services as Specialty Lending Practice EVP Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, California, named Michael R. Smith as executive vice president, Alliant Specialty, in the firm’s Financial Institutions industry vertical. Smith is based in Dallas. Smith …

People Moves: XPT Specialty Expands with Industry Veteran

XPT Specialty, headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, hired Jody Travis as vice president and senior underwriter in its Houston office. Travis has over 30 years of experience in the commercial sector. He most recently served as vice president and senior …

People Moves: Upland Promotes Walas to Chief Underwriting Officer

Upland Capital Group, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, promoted Kate Walas to chief underwriting officer. Walas joined Upland as senior vice president for the professional liability errors and omissions product line. Before joining Upland, she served as the chief underwriting officer …