Willis North America, a unit of risk advisor and reinsurance broker Willis Group Holdings, has revised its organizational structure and announced some senior appointments, the company said.
Willis North America (WNA) organizational structure will include seven regions: Northeast, Atlantic, South, Midwest, West, California and Canada and each will be supported by a team of National Partners. WNA said the structure reflects the unique opportunities within the geographies and better positions WNA to bring Willis’ expertise and capabilities to clients.
All the new appointments will report to Todd Jones, CEO, WNA, including:
Eric Hein, national partner of the South Region. Hein will be responsible for business operations, including 500 associates in 15 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and the Carolinas. He joined Willis in 1985. Since 1999, Hein served as managing partner of Willis’ North and South Carolina operations.
K.J. Wagner, national partner of the West Region. Wagner will be responsible for business operations, including 675 associates in 10 offices throughout Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Wagner joined Willis in 1999 and since 2008 was managing partner, Willis of Arizona. Previously he was one of Willis’ top producers in North America, where he focused on risk transfer programs for large firms with complex risks.
David Fuhrman, national partner of the newly established California region. Fuhrman will be responsible for business operations, which includes 365 associates throughout offices in Los Angeles, Irvine, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Fuhrman joined Willis in 2005 and was managing partner, Willis of Los Angeles. Under his leadership, Willis of Los Angeles was a top performing operation in North America.
Willis said Hein, Wagner and Fuhrman will work closely with the existing regional leadership team, including Joe Gunn, national partner of the Northeast region; Doug Pera, national partner of the Atlantic region; Mike Liss, national partner of the Midwest region and Rick Hynes, national partner of Canada.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eric, KJ and David to the leadership team,” Jones said. “They each bring strong track records of success in driving high levels of client satisfaction and business results and we look forward to continuing the organic growth we have achieved in recent quarters in North America.”
Additional appointments include:
Paty Daves, managing partner, Willis of Illinois. Daves will oversee business operations in Willis’ Chicago, Schaumburg and Moline offices, as supported by more than 400 associates. Since 2008, Daves served as managing partner, Willis of Kansas. Daves will be based in Chicago and report to Mike Liss.
John Sherlock, managing partner, Willis of Pennsylvania. Sherlock will oversee business operations in Willis’ Philadelphia and Radnor offices, as supported by more than 200 associates. Sherlock joined Willis from Philadelphia Insurance Co., where he was SVP responsible for large broker strategy. Prior, Sherlock was with AIG and served as president of the Mid-Atlantic region. He will report to Doug Pera.
