Several insurance companies have announced leadership changes and strategic appointments.
Markel Insurance, the insurance division of Markel Group, has restructured its US Wholesale and Specialty division, reducing its six wholesale and two retail regions into four integrated US regions, namely, West, Central, Northeast and Southeast. The move is designed to streamline operations and better align with both wholesale and retail distribution channels.
Wendy Houser, president of wholesale and specialty, said the changes are intended to support growth and simplify operations to improve responsiveness to distribution partners and clients.
Brian Gray will continue to lead the West region, expanding his oversight to include both wholesale and retail business lines. He has been with Markel for 22 years.
Mimi Fiske has been appointed regional president for the Central region, building on her 11 years at Markel, most recently overseeing the former Midwest region. Meanwhile, Sal Pollaro will head the expanded Northeast region, transitioning from his role as executive underwriting officer, professional liability. Hollis Zyglocke will lead the Southeast region, having previously managed the Mid-Atlantic region. She joined Markel seven years ago.
The company also announced additional leadership appointments. Matt Huels has been named chief growth officer for US Wholesale and Specialty, following his previous role as regional president, West Retail Region. Jim Hinchley, who joined Markel in 2024 as chief retail officer, has been named president of Workers Compensation and Small Commercial Package.
Meanwhile, Scott Whitehead, with 26 years at Markel, will serve as executive underwriting officer, casualty, transitioning from his most recent position as senior managing director, Markel Insurtech.
“These changes are designed to support our goal of becoming a market leader by empowering regional teams and streamlining decision-making,” said Houser.
Cyber risk firm Resilience has appointed retired US Air Force Colonel Judson Dressler (pictured above, left) to lead its Risk Operations Center (ROC), the company’s proprietary threat intelligence and risk mitigation unit.
Dressler previously served as a professor and head of the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the US Air Force Academy and commanded the 835th Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
At Resilience, Dressler will oversee the expansion of the ROC, which is designed to identify cyber threats in real time and proactively protect clients from financial loss. The unit provides intelligence to both security and underwriting teams to assess exposures and help clients take pre-emptive action.
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has named Linda Fisher (pictured above, center) as sub-vertical leader for law firms within its Financial and Professional Services (FIPS) division in North America.
Based in Chicago, Fisher will report to FIPS Leader Brad Messinger and focus on developing business strategies for the legal sector, including intellectual capital, client services, and market representation.
Fisher previously held senior roles at Marsh McLennan Agency, Gallagher, and Old Republic Professional. She brings experience in creating insurance solutions tailored to law firms and is recognized as a frequent industry speaker.
Liberty Mutual Insurance has appointed Neal Bhatnagar (pictured above, right) as president of major accounts for its Global Risk Solutions (GRS) North America division, effective July 7. He succeeds Mike Fallon, who will retire in January 2026 and remain as a senior advisor during the transition.
Bhatnagar, who joined Liberty Mutual in 2021 as executive vice president, major accounts casualty, will lead the segment that works with large corporate clients and brokers to manage complex risks.
CAC Group has appointed Kevin Brogan to the newly created role of head of carrier relations.
Brogan brings experience from his previous positions leading carrier relationships at a national property/casualty distribution platform and serving in senior underwriting and executive roles at global insurers.
The appointment comes as CAC Specialty, the group’s brokerage arm, continues to expand its reach. The company launched a dedicated healthcare division in 2023, adding sector-specific capabilities.
The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) and its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance, have named Xianmei Tang as chief actuary and senior vice president, actuarial, effective June 13.
Tang has over two decades of experience across life, annuity, and supplemental health insurance products. She most recently served as vice president and valuation actuary at Fortitude Re.
