Retail insurance broker McGriff Insurance Services has recently announced the appointment of veteran lawyer and transport risk management expert Jeffrey “Jeff” Simmons as the new vice president for sales of its transport practice. The appointment is part of the company’s campaign to strengthen support for its clients.

Before joining McGriff, Simmons served as chief legal officer at GlobalTranz and senior vice president of legal and risk at Worldwide Express.

During his stint at GlobalTranz as chief legal officer, Simmons built and scaled the freight broker’s legal and risk management division from the ground up, supporting the company’s rapid organic business growth. He is also the person behind GlobalTranz’s aggressive acquisition strategy.

Based on his track record, Simmons played a crucial role in five GlobalTranz acquisitions since 2017, including its 2021 merger with Worldwide Express. In addition to mergers and acquisitions due diligence, Simmons helped integrate people, services, technology, intellectual property, and insurance and helped manage the broker’s corporate governance and compliance functions.

Simmons also previously served as president of the Transportation Lawyers Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and his juris doctor from the University of Arizona.

As Simmons steps up as McGriff’s VP for sales for transport practice, he will bring over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, representing motor, rail, ocean, air carriers, and brokers in contract negotiations and before courts and regulatory agencies.

Last year, McGriff also announced the appointment of Jimmy Conroy as its vice president and marketing account executive for its energy practice based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, McGriff promoted Mike Breedlove as its new national sales and growth leader as part of its strategy to strengthen its sales and marketing strategies.

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