Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, the global insurance broker, announced today a series of appointments to strengthen its construction capabilities and better serve clients in the expanding default insurance marketplace.Willis is a leading insurance broker in the construction industry bringing specialized expertise and dedicated resources to this space with over 600 construction professionals across the platform serving contractors, owners, construction professionals and design firms.
The following individuals comprise Willis' Default Insurance Group, a production team that focuses on providing best in class default insurance service to our clients and growing our presence in this highly specialized sector of the construction insurance market.
- Luke J. Nolan, Jr. has been appointed Senior Vice President, Willis of Texas. He will co-lead Willis' Default Insurance Group. Mr. Nolan brings over 26 years of experience in the surety, property & casualty and contractor default insurance business. Prior to joining Willis, Mr. Nolan was Director of Contractor Default Insurance/Surety with Aon Risk Services. He will be based in Dallas.
- Brian Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Willis of Minnesota, will assume an expanded role and co-lead Willis' Default Insurance Group. Mr. Carpenter joined Willis in 2005, and maintains over 20 years of experience in the surety, property & casualty, and contractor default insurance business. He is based in Minneapolis.
- Debbie English has been appointed Vice President, Willis of Texas. Ms. English brings 19 years of experience in the insurance industry with a primary focus on default insurance. Prior to joining Willis, Ms. English was Director of Client Services with Aon Risk Services. She will be based in Dallas.
- Daphne Massey has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Willis of Texas. Ms. Massey brings 10 years of experience in the insurance industry with a primary focus on default insurance. Prior to joining Willis, Ms. Massey was an Account Specialist with Aon Risk Services. She will be based in Dallas.
- Daniel Tolman has been appointed Vice President, Willis of New York. Mr. Tolman brings over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry with a primary focus on default insurance. Prior to joining Willis, Mr. Tolman was Account Executive with Aon Risk Services. He will be based in New York.
- Nicole Langer, Assistant Vice President, Willis of Minnesota will assume an expanded role servicing Willis' Default Insurance Group. She joined Willis in 2008 and maintains over 8 years of experience in the insurance industry focused on contract surety and brokering default insurance. Ms. Langer is based in Minneapolis.
Commenting on the appointments, Rick Hawkinberry, CEO, Willis North America Construction Practice said, "Consistent with our commitment to product innovation and client service, this specialty team will serve clients in this expanding, yet highly specialized line of insurance. The expertise around default insurance has become of paramount concern in the uncertain economy as labor, material costs and other financial stresses to contractors' balance sheets are forcing owners and contractors to examine alternative performance security tools."