Several major insurance organizations have announced key leadership appointments this week.
Transamerica has appointed Andrew Yorks (pictured above, left) as chief investment officer, effective Oct. 6. Reporting to president and CEO Will Fuller, Yorks will join Transamerica's executive committee.
He will oversee investment strategy, asset-liability management, and hedging, guiding the company’s investment approach to drive sustainable growth. Yorks brings over 30 years of institutional investment experience, most recently as head of global investment strategy at Prudential Financial. He has also held senior roles at Resolution Life, Lincoln Financial Group, BlackRock, and Alliance Capital.
Balavant Insurance Group has named John Jankowski (pictured above, center) as chief information officer. He will lead enterprise applications, IT operations and the development of a modern, scalable technology foundation across Balavant's platform companies.
Jankowski brings more than two decades of experience in IT and insurance operations, most recently serving as CIO at Trium, an MGA focused on cyber and property insurance. His previous roles include senior positions at Aspen Insurance.
World Insurance Associates LLC has appointed John Cicchelli (pictured above, right) as head of its employee benefits practice. Based in Iselin, New Jersey, Cicchelli will lead strategic growth, market expansion, and product development across North America.
Cicchelli brings 30 years of industry experience, including leadership roles at Gallagher and Marsh & McLennan Agency.
CRC Group has expanded its executive professional practice group with the addition of Drew Taylor (pictured immediately above, left) and Jordan Rankell (pictured immediately above, right) as brokers on CRC Specialty's West Coast team.
Taylor rejoins CRC Specialty, bringing experience across digital assets, cannabis, fintech and SPACs markets. Having worked across retail and carrier markets in the US and Bermuda, he has built books of business in emerging sectors and brings insight from his time with two high-growth startups.
Rankell, who most recently served as head of technology E&O for a national carrier, brings over 14 years of industry experience specializing in cyber liability, technology and E&O. His background includes building and leading underwriting teams, developing specialty programs, and supporting growth across industries such as construction, technology, and real estate.
CRC said the appointments underscore its commitment to expanding its specialist expertise and supporting retail agents in delivering value to insureds.
Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Rob Fast as executive vice president within its employee benefits group. Based in Portland, Maine, Fast brings decades of experience spanning health, life, and disability insurance, as well as reinsurance expertise.
Prior to joining Alliant, he served as EVP for a global brokerage, leading the North American life, accident, and health reinsurance business.
Alliant said Fast’s background in underwriting, claims, and operational strategy will enhance its client offerings and support long-term, sustainable growth.
Howden has named Tom O’Donnell as practice head of logistics, Howden US. Based in New York, O'Donnell will join Mike Parrish's leadership team when he begins in November.
O’Donnell joins from Aon, where he was global logistics practice leader, and previously held senior risk management roles at DHL and Shenker. Howden said his appointment reinforces its goal of building a logistics-focused retail broking business in the US.
Arrowhead Programs has appointed Christopher Pesce as executive vice president and member of its senior leadership team. The announcement coincided with the integration of One80 Intermediaries' programs portfolio into Arrowhead's new programs division.
Pesce, formerly divisional president at One80 Programs, will oversee the integration and drive strategic growth initiatives. He previously served as president of Maritime Program Group and is a long-time member of the Target Markets Program Administrators Association advisory board.
