This week's moves include a planned handover at a major commercial earthquake market, a new distribution chief at an annuity carrier, and a regional hire for an agency network in Southern California.
Selective Insurance Group has appointed Vaib Kalia (pictured, left) as executive vice president and chief investment officer, effective immediately. He has been interim CIO since June.
Kalia joined Selective in 2014 and was most recently senior vice president, senior portfolio manager and head of fixed income. He previously worked at BlackRock and HSBC.
Chairman, president and CEO John Marchioni said Kalia had led the investment function with discipline and clear judgment during the interim period.
Investment income supports pricing and capital strength at carriers that sell through independent agents, including Selective. Making an experienced internal fixed income specialist permanent points to continuity in how the carrier manages its portfolio.
Ameritas has promoted Stephanie Stearley (pictured, center) to senior vice president, group, effective September 20. She was previously vice president, policy services, group.
Stearley joined Ameritas in 1992, left for Guardian Life in 1999 and returned in 2001. She will lead operations in the group division.
Kelly Wieseler, executive vice president, group, said Stearley had played an important role in helping the organization adapt to customers' changing needs.
Benefits brokers placing dental, vision and other group products with Ameritas now deal with an operations leader who has spent most of her career on the carrier's group administration.
MassMutual Ascend has named Joe Maringer (pictured, right) chief distribution officer, effective November 1. He reports to president and CEO Dominic Blue and succeeds Tim Minard, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Maringer has spent 26 years with the company, formerly Great American Life Insurance Company, and was most recently senior vice president and national sales manager.
Blue said Maringer's nearly three decades of experience working with distributors and their advisors made him well placed to build on Minard's work.
Annuity distributors and the advisory channel will deal with a familiar sales leader, which points to continuity in distribution strategy at a carrier that has grown its advisory fixed indexed annuity business.
Ironpeak has hired Edgar Cisneros as regional manager for member agencies in Southern California. He previously held field leadership roles at Foremost and Mercury Insurance.
Bob Stallings, managing partner of Ironpeak's Southwest region, said Cisneros takes pride in helping partners and member agencies succeed.
Cisneros's carrier field experience in personal lines should help member agencies working through California's difficult homeowners and auto markets.
DUAL North America has appointed Stephanie Calmeyn as executive vice president and head of earthquake, effective January 1, 2027. She succeeds Ian Fitt, who will retire at the end of the year after 28 years leading the business.
Fitt has been president of the earthquake division since DUAL acquired Catalytic in 2021, and will work with Calmeyn through the transition.
Calmeyn is currently SVP and capacity manager. She has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, including 15 years on the earthquake team, where she has worked as an underwriter, portfolio manager and capacity manager.
"Stephanie knows this business inside and out and she's the best person for the job," said Jon Knouse, DUAL's chief property officer.
The program writes non-admitted commercial earthquake cover nationwide on a primary, full-value, layered or excess basis, with limits of up to $100 million for some risks. Flood cover is also available in California, Washington and Oregon. An internal successor with 15 years on the book points to continuity in appetite and broker relationships.
