Zurich’s Global Energy group today announced the expansion of its
operations in the Western US and Latin America through the addition of
new Global Energy underwriting and risk engineering operations within
Zurich offices in Glendale, Calif., Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao
Paulo, Brazil. These offices will support expanded onshore property
practices in these markets.
To support Zurich's commitment to serving the needs of its energy
customers in these regions, Zurich also announced today its hiring the
following insurance professionals:
Margo Williams named onshore property manager for Western North America
Juan Pablo Gatica will lead Zurich’s Global Energy onshore property
underwriting operation in Latin America
Jairo Cardoso joins the Latin America Risk Engineering team as a
senior power generation risk engineer
(Additional information
about the new hires mentioned above is detailed below.)
“This is a significant step in the implementation of Global Energy’s
targeted growth plan. By expanding our operations in the Western US and
Latin America, we are now well positioned for growth in these key
markets,” said Rick Gibbons, president of Global Energy for Zurich.
“This move strengthens Zurich’s position and our commitment to customers
and brokers in these important regions.”
Western North America expansion
Margo Williams joins Zurich as the onshore property manager for this
region and will lead the Western North America expansion. In her new
role, she will be responsible for establishing a local presence and
expanding Zurich's customer and broker support in the energy market.
Williams brings more than 20 years of experience in large commercial
property underwriting, including petroleum and energy-related risks and
catastrophe perils, to her new role. Prior to joining Zurich, she was
most recently an assistant manager for Chartis where she was responsible
for the production of new business and retention of accounts in
energy-related fields.
Latin America expansion
The expansion of Zurich's Global Energy Latin America operations
includes the addition of underwriting and risk engineering staff.
“By developing our Energy team in Latin America, we will truly act as a
HelpPoint for customers and brokers in this growing energy market,” said
Michael Raney, chief underwriting officer for Zurich Latin America. “The
close collaboration of Zurich’s Global Energy team and Zurich colleagues
in countries throughout Latin America will enable us to further leverage
our local market knowledge and specialized underwriting and risk
engineering experience.”
Juan Pablo Gatica will lead Zurich’s Global Energy onshore property
underwriting operation in Latin America. Based in Buenos Aires, Gatica
will be responsible for expanding Zurich’s market presence and
leveraging established relationships in the region. He also joins Zurich
from Chartis, where he was most recently a regional manager responsible
for the Energy results and production of Southern American countries,
excluding Brazil. Juan Pablo has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Instituto Tecnologico Buenos Aires and an MBA from IDEA, Buenos Aires.
He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Jairo Cardoso joins the Latin America Risk Engineering team as a senior
power generation risk engineer. This newly created position, based in
Sao Paulo, Brazil, supports Zurich's regional growth initiative within
Latin America. Cardoso, who has more than 25 years of risk engineering
experience, was most recently at Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. where he
specialized in energy, machinery breakdown and construction risks. He
has a degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Taubaté, in
San Pablo and an MBA from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, in Sao Paulo. He is
fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
For more information about Zurich's Global Energy business, go to http://www.ZurichGlobalEnergy.com.
About Zurich
Zurich in North America is a part of Zurich Financial Services Group
(Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global
network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well
as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872,
the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and employs
approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170
countries, including more than 9,500 employees in North America.
Zurich was the first overseas insurer to enter the U.S. market in 1912.
According to Highline Data LLC (NAIC 2008), Zurich in North America (www.zurichna.com)
is the second-largest writer of commercial general liability insurance
and the fourth-largest commercial property-casualty insurance company,
serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market,
specialties and programs sectors. Zurich's risk engineering services in
the United States are provided by Zurich Services Corporation.
Zurich
Jennifer Nowacki
(847) 605-6511 – office
(847)
275-4428 – cell (at RIMS)
jennifer.nowacki@zurichna.com