Heffernan Insurance Brokers, one of the largest full-service, independent brokerages in the nation, has announced the appointment of Phaedra Starr as vice president and head of marketplace.

Starr spent the first six years of her career working with software companies in the hospitality and financial services industries, consulting, managing projects, testing usability and training users on technology solutions. She then moved to The Hartford to manage the upgrade of the company’s then-DOS-based agency quoting platform.

In 2004, Starr moved into a sales role in The Hartford’s small commercial division, and has spent nearly 20 years building relationships with California agents and brokers. With her technology expertise, she also became the company’s go-to resource for West Coast insurtech API integrations.

“We have worked with Phaedra for almost 20 years and see her as the perfect fit for this new role in HIB and are delighted to have found such solid talent for the position,” said John Tallarida, chief carrier officer at Heffernan.

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“I am grateful to move over to a company that I have worked with and loved for the last 20 years,” Starr said. “I look forward to building the next dynamic, future-forward wholesaler with this amazing team at Heffernan.

Heffernan recently expanded its national footprint with the acquisitions of California-based Kettering Rose Insurance Services and Arizona-headquartered Osland Financial Group.

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