A series of senior appointments and promotions have been announced across the US insurance, brokerage and employee benefits market, spanning real estate, private client, multinational, niche commercial, life and health, and employee benefits specialties.
Lockton has appointed Aaron Culbertson (pictured, left) as US real estate practice leader.
Culbertson joined Lockton in 2008 and has advised clients on complex risk management and insurance solutions, most recently serving as managing director for Lockton’s real estate operations in the Western US. In his new role, he will set strategy, oversee client service, drive targeted investments, and expand Lockton’s presence across the real estate sector.
Culbertson was a key collaborator in the development of Lockton’s real estate intelligence platform, designed to turn data into actionable insights. Expanding client access to real-time market data will be one of his priorities.
Brown & Riding has appointed Courtney Kerr (pictured, center) as national private client practice leader within its underwriting & select accounts division. She will be responsible for building and overseeing the firm’s private client strategy, facilities, and underwriting standards nationwide.
With more than 15 years of industry experience, Kerr brings deep expertise in high-net-worth and specialty personal lines, with a focus on fine art, collectibles, and complex, high-value risks. A Lloyd’s tribunalized coverholder, she will serve as the central underwriting authority for Brown & Riding’s private client practice, shaping facility design, risk appetite, and underwriting approach.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to build and lead the private client practice for Brown & Riding,” Kerr said. “Our solutions will be grounded in integrity, underwriting expertise, white-glove service, and a genuine emphasis on relationships with both clients and markets. My goal is to build a team of trusted specialty brokers and underwriters who deliver thoughtful solutions for affluent clients by collaborating with the worldwide private client insurer marketplace.”
Assurex Global has promoted Troy Johnson (pictured, right) to senior vice president, global growth strategy. In the new role, he will focus on driving multinational revenue and helping partner firms expand their multinational footprint.
Johnson joined Assurex Global in 2023 to lead the development of multinational practice groups across North America and Europe. His new remit shifts his focus toward executing business expansion by connecting industry experts and specialists to build teams serving multinational clients.
Johnson brings more than 25 years of risk and insurance brokerage experience, with prior senior roles at Towergate Insurance Brokers, Griffiths & Armour, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PruHealth, and AXA Insurance.
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM) has announced several executive leadership changes and promotions.
PLM veteran Steve Firko (pictured immediately above, left) has been named president, effective immediately, succeeding John Smith, who will continue as CEO. Firko will be responsible for executing the company's strategic vision and overseeing claims, accounting, regulatory, human resources, and information technology.
Firko joined PLM as a field manager and has held leadership roles in marketing, underwriting, claims, loss control, customer service, and operations, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“I’m honored to step into the role of president at PLM and continue building on the foundation of a mutual institution established over 130 years ago,” Firko said. “PLM has always been defined by its commitment to its policyholders and the wood industry, and I look forward to working with our talented team to advance that mission while embracing innovation and navigating the challenges ahead.”
Other changes include the promotion of Lindsey DiGangi (pictured immediately above, center) to senior vice president and COO, succeeding Firko. She will oversee underwriting, field operations, loss control, marketing, customer service, operations, and agency operations (Green Tree Risk Partners).
Meanwhile, BJ Gardner (pictured immediately above, right) has been promoted to assistant vice president of information technology from director of IT, and Ray Rogers has been promoted to assistant vice president of claims from director of property claims.
For Ameritas, April Behrend has been named vice president, actuarial, individual, having previously served as actuarial director, individual.
Behrend is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Michelle Petersen has been promoted to second vice president, sales support and operations, group, from her prior role as director, account and client management, group. She has been with Ameritas for 13 years.
Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Ashley Lefebvre as vice president within its employee benefits group in Houston, Texas. She will serve a national client base, helping deliver strategic employee benefits and HR solutions aligned with clients’ long-term growth strategies.
Lefebvre joins Alliant with experience in employee benefits consulting, strategic growth, and operational strategy, particularly for small businesses. She has worked extensively in plan design, risk assessment, and process improvement, and supports clients in scaling their operations, revenue, and client retention.
Prior to Alliant, she served as regional vice president, small business, at a global insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm.
