A wholesale specialty distributor, a global insurer and a community bank-affiliated insurance firm have each announced new additions to their teams this week, spanning environmental underwriting, financial lines leadership and commercial insurance advisory roles.
CRC Group has added four professionals to its CRC Specialty division, strengthening its capabilities across Environmental and Property & Casualty lines.
Kristen Flynn (pictured, far left) has joined as an underwriting team leader in Orlando, Florida, bringing nearly two decades of experience across P&C and binding authority underwriting with a focus on portfolio management and broker relationships. Adam Law (pictured, left) has joined as a broker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bringing experience in property brokerage and market placement for complex accounts. Sarah Logan (pictured, right) has joined as an underwriting team leader, bringing more than 20 years of commercial insurance experience spanning underwriting, production, account management and risk placement. Katie Miller (pictured, far right) has joined as a broker within the National Environmental Practice in Irvine, California, focusing on environmental risk solutions and complex commercial accounts.
The hires reflect the continued expansion of one of North America's most active wholesale specialty platforms. CRC Group completed its acquisition of Lloyd's managing agency Atrium Underwriting Group in January 2026, following a series of deals that has broadened the firm's capabilities from wholesale brokerage into underwriting.
AXIS Capital has promoted Christina Geller to head of wholesale financial lines in North America, broadening her remit beyond her previous role as head of wholesale financial institutions.
Geller will develop and deliver the strategy for long-term profitable growth across AXIS's portfolio of North American wholesale commercial and financial institutions business.
The promotion comes as AXIS has posted strong results from its North American operations. AXIS Capital's insurance segment delivered record gross premiums written of $7.2 billion in 2025, a 9% increase over the prior year, with North America delivering gross premiums written up 10%, reflecting strategic investments in product and channel expansion.
Bell Insurance has doubled the size of its commercial insurance team in Minneapolis with six new hires: Amy Hairston, who brings 26 years of experience; Brian Cohoon, with 27 years; Devin Acrea, with 18 years; Alex Lauer, with four years; Dylan Burchill, with three years; and Mike Welch, who joins the industry for the first time.
Ryan Onken, Bell Insurance commercial insurance director, said: "The talent this group brings to our commercial insurance business is outstanding. Their addition has doubled the size of our firm and adds proven expertise from several respected organizations across the industry."
Bell Insurance is part of Bell Bank, founded in 1966, which has built its reputation around a community-focused culture and its Pay It Forward program, which has donated millions of dollars to support people and communities.
The insurance division expansion reflects a broader trend among regional and community-aligned insurance firms investing in commercial lines talent as the complexity of business insurance requirements grows across mid-market clients.
