Our weekly column featuring the latest hiring news from in and around Massachusetts. We also include mentions on awards and other accolades insurance professionals have achieved too.
Arbella Names Andrew O’Donoghue Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing
The Arbella Insurance Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew O’Donoghue to the position of assistant vice president of sales and marketing. In his role,O’Donoghue will report to Steve Jacobs, vice president of sales and marketing, and will continue to work closely with the company’s territory managers and underwriters and will continue to enhance Arbella’s strong agent partnerships.
“Andrew has established himself as a go-to resource for our local, independent agents looking to gain a competitive edge in today’s marketplace,” said Gayle O’Connell, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Arbella Insurance Group. “He has become an important addition to the sales and marketing team helping agency staff to better understand and communicate their value proposition. He has also been instrumental in helping the Arbella Service Center team to grow agency premium through on-going coaching, training and support. Andrew is a true advocate for our independent agents and we are thrilled to elevate Andrew into this role.”
O’Donoghue joined Arbella in 2013 as senior organizational development leader in the human resources department where he served as a cultural coach. His role later shifted into sales and marketing as O’Donoghue began working with partner agents on numerous initiatives including agent education, training and coaching support.
Prior to this role, O’Donoghue served as a consultant to Arbella through the management consultancy business he founded in 1996 called Advance Performance. As president of that business, he focused on driving positive results through individual performance, leadership development and coaching for behavioral change. His expertise helped many companies achieve better sales and customer excellence through his coaching and guidance. When O’Donoghue began consulting with Arbella in 2005, he worked on the creation of Arbella’s mission, vision, and values statement, and was instrumental in the creation of Arbella’s “cultural guide.” He also worked to promote employee engagement within the firm.
Also, a former attorney in the United Kingdom, O’Donoghue obtained a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Liverpool and his professional qualifications as a solicitor from the College of Law in Chester.
Tokio Marine HCC – Specialty Group Enhances Management Team
Tokio Marine HCC today announced several promotions within the Tokio Marine HCC – Specialty Group, the leading provider of specialized insurance products for the sports, entertainment and travel industries.
Under the newly solidified management structure, three veteran members of Tokio Marine HCC – Specialty Group have been promoted. Sean T. Curtin, President of the Specialty Group, has assumed the additional role of Chief Underwriting Officer – Contingency, Brendon T. Bruner has been named Chief Underwriting Officer – Disability, and Philip Hall has been named Head of Reinsurance for Specialty and will remain the Managing Director of Specialty Group’s London Operations.
“These promotions reflect the deep bench of talent within the Specialty Group. Sean, Brendon and Philip have been long-time valuable contributors to our success, and in these new positions, they will be instrumental to achieving our long-term strategic goals,” said Matthew C. Overlan, Chief Executive Officer of Tokio Marine HCC – Specialty Group. “I am proud to work alongside this team of accomplished leaders who, along with our Chairman William F. Hubbard, will ensure the execution of the many significant opportunities ahead.”
Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Tokio Marine HCC’s major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA- (Very Strong)” from S&P Global Ratings, “A++ (Superior)” from A.M. Best, and “AA- (Very Strong)” from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA- (Very Strong)” from S&P Global Ratings. Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $34 billion as of December 31, 2017.
Partners Insurance Group Promotes Kristine Audette to Assistant Vice President Accounting
Partners Insurance Group, LLC, one of the region’s leading independent insurance agencies with eight locations in Southeastern MA and RI, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kristine Audette of Fairhaven, Massachusetts to Assistant Vice President Accounting.
In this role she is responsible for all agency accounting functions, in addition to the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Audette also provides input to improve and create accounting processes and procedures to increase efficiencies.
Audette joined Partners Insurance Group in 2012 when Partners acquired the J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency; she had served as Controller for Doherty since 2000. Her first position with Partners was Accounting Associate III. She was promoted to Senior Accountant in 2015, a post she held until this most recent promotion to Assistant Vice President Accounting.
She is a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Audette holds an Accounting Certificate from Bristol Community College, is a Registered IRS Tax Preparer, a Massachusetts Notary Public and a member of the National Association of Tax Preparers.
Audette is an active volunteer within numerous organizations. She is an Executive Committee member of the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society, a Fairhaven/New Bedford Tosashimizu Sister City organization; there she volunteers her time to organize and run the society’s museum and participate in community events such as the Manjiro Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Fairhaven Homecoming and Victorian Christmas. She is also Treasurer/Secretary of the Fairhaven Varsity Club where she does bookkeeping and helps with community events involving athletics and education in Fairhaven.
In addition she volunteers for several other organizations, such as Neediest Families, New Bedford Connect YMCA, Gifts to Give, Shepherds Pantry, Credit for Life and Better Community Living.
Audette is a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Fairhaven and participates in many 5K walks sponsored by various organizations including the American Heart Walk, Miles for Smiles, West Island, Women’s Fund Tiara and Nemasket Group.
“Congratulations to Kristine as she continues her career with Partners in the role of Assistant Vice President of accounting,” said Lawrence Wilson, President/Chief Executive Officer of Partners Insurance Group. “It’s a pleasure to recognize her dedication and consistent outstanding work.”
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline August 1st
Frances R. Soderberg
Reminder – The Frances R. Soderberg Scholarship
Soderberg Insurance Services, Inc. is offering an educational scholarship dedicated in memory of the agency’s co-founder Frances Soderberg. Frances was an active member of the North Shore community for over 50 years. In addition to her commitment to her family, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of those with special needs.
Her youngest daughter Karen was born with Down’s Syndrome. Mrs. Soderberg was instrumental in the integration of recreational and educational programs for children and young adults who are mentally disabled. The co-founder coordinated an instructional tennis program that ran for fifteen years. Mrs. Soderberg, along with the assistance of the special needs participants and North Shore community, organized an annual fundraiser for 25 consecutive years to raise money for the recreational, educational, and social programs for the special needs young adults.
The Frances R. Soderberg Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who shares her same passion to help those with special needs. This scholarship will be awarded to a current college student, or college bound student who shares her commitment for education of individuals with disabilities and improving their overall quality of life. Mrs. Soderberg believed that integration of the handicapped in society is beneficial to all. When a community embraces the disabled, the community evolves into a more passionate, caring place for all residents.
Preferential consideration will be given to North Shore residents. This resident must be a student pursuing a degree or other higher education/vocational career that will help those with disabilities. The selection committee would also like to see evidence of the student’s involvement with the special needs community. Whether it is in a hospital, school, or community event, the selection committee seeks evidence of the applicant’s commitment to this important line of work.
To be considered for the scholarship, please send a personal statement, including personal and professional goals to info@soderbergins.com. Applications will be accepted through August 1st. The award will be made in September 2018.
Kathryn Soderberg, CPCU
800-866-9363
Kathryn@soderbergins.com
