The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) has announced a new slate of board leadership and director appointments, with Patrick Albrecht (pictured) elected as chair for the 2026–2027 term.
Albrecht, who serves as president of Associated Insurance Administrators, Inc., was elected by WSIA members to lead the organization. He brings several years of board-level experience, having joined the legacy AAMGA Board in 2017 before transitioning to the WSIA board of directors later that year. He has also served on the WSIA executive committee since 2023.
Alongside the chair appointment, WSIA confirmed its officer lineup for one-year terms. Wendy Houser, of Markel, was named vice chair, Coryn Thalmann, of Jimcor Agencies, will serve as secretary, and Steve Boyd, of Arrowhead Intermediaries, has been appointed treasurer. Phillip McCrorie, of RSUI, will assume the role of immediate past chair.
The association also announced several directors elected to three-year terms, including representatives from Risk Placement Services, RT Specialty, Preferred Specialty, and Jimcor Agencies, reflecting a cross-section of the wholesale and specialty insurance market.
In addition to elected roles, WSIA appointed David Nelson to its board of directors to complete the remaining term of a retiring member. Nelson currently serves as executive vice president – wholesale for Nationwide E&S/Specialty and has been with the organization since 1991. He also chairs the WSIA Education Foundation Board.
Harry Jardine has been appointed as the U40 representative for the coming year. Jardine, who is head of broking for the MGA segment at Aon Reinsurance Solutions, previously served as immediate past chair of the U40 board.
The leadership changes follow the completion of terms for several outgoing directors, including long-serving board members from RT Specialty, Core Specialty, and Amwins Access.
