People News: Tokio Marine, Everest Re, Zurich

Tokio Marine HCC Names Skarinka COO for Professional Lines and Public Risk Groups

Tokio Marine HCC appointed Christopher R. Skarinka chief operating officer for its Professional Lines and Public Risk Groups, which specialize in small accounts errors & omissions coverage and municipality business, effective August 6, 2018.

Prior to joining Tokio Marine HCC, Skarinka was a co-founder of Weather Analytics, LLC, a risk analytics company, and served there as president and a member of the Board of Directors. In 2012, he co-founded and served as chief financial officer of Kanopy Insurance, an independent personal lines agency.

Former Chubb Exec Joins Everest Reinsurance as New Chief Claims Officer

Everest Re Group announced the addition of Ike Barbatsoulis as chief reinsurance claims officer for Everest’s Reinsurance Division. He will be responsible for driving the strategic direction of the Reinsurance Claims organization with continued focus on customer service, increased operational efficiencies, and advanced analytical capabilities.

Barbatsoulis joins Everest from Chubb, where he held senior positions across Chubb Global Claims, Chubb Services Corporation and Chubb Insurance. Most recently, he was senior vice president for Chubb Global Claims with strategic and operational responsibility for Chubb’s worldwide legal and professional services vendor network. Prior to this role, he was the chief operating officer for Chubb Services Corporation. He has more than 29 years’ experience in the claims space.

Zurich North America Taps Former Allied World Exec for Chief Claims Officer Position

Zurich North America appointed Paul Lavelle chief claims officer for Zurich North America, effective Sept. 4, 2018. Lavelle will report directly to Zurich North America CEO Kathleen Savio and be based at Zurich’s North American headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill. He succeeds Steve Hatch, who retired earlier this month.

Lavelle most recently served as senior vice president, North America Claims Operations at Allied World Assurance Company and prior to that as president and founder of LVL Claims Services, LLC. He also held a number of Claims and Underwriting senior leadership and management roles at American International Group, Inc. and Allstate Insurance.

Lavelle was also recognized in 2017 as Claims Executive of the Year by the firm Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck. The award recognizes leadership, character, and technical expertise among claims professionals in the insurance industry.