People news: Plymouth Rock gets claims exec from Geico, Farmers' new CEO

October 7, 2022 7:09 AM

Farmers Insurance headquarters building — Farmers Insurance headquarters in Los Angeles. In November, the carrier announced the acquisition of three companies: Kraft Lake Insurance Agency, Western Star Insurance Services and Farmers General Insurance Agency.

Raul Vargas, Farmers

Hand-out/Farmers Group, Inc.

Farmers has announced that Raul Vargas will take the helm as president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2023. Current CEO Jeff Dailey will step down at that point, but continue as chairman of the company's board. Vargas currently is president of distribution, life, and financial services for Farmers Group. Vargas' work history includes time as CEO of Zurich Santander Insurance America; like Farmers, a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group. He joined Farmers earlier this year.

Plymouth Rock has hired Paul Measley as chief claims officer in its independent agency business. Measley last worked for Geico, where he worked on "corporate claims strategy, including digital claims, systems, first notice of loss, personal injury protection, subrogation, training and auditing," the company says in a statement. "As our industry continues to deal with vehicle part shortages, labor delays and the rising cost of repairs, we will look to Paul to guide Plymouth Rock and ensure that we are delivering the best claims experience possible for our customers," Mary Boyd, President and CEO, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation, added in the statement.

Doyle Williams, Protective Life

Protective handout

Protective Life has appointed Doyle Williams CMO. Williams joined Protective in 2020 as SVP, distribution companies. He last was CEO of Protective division Concourse Financial Group. He also has worked at COUNTRY Financial. David Perry will take over that position.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has named several new executives to claims roles. Rob Romeo is now Head of Claims, North America. He last was SVP of U.S. Healthcare & Casualty Claims at BHSI and joined the company in 2013. In addition, Andy Barberis is named Head of Healthcare & Casualty Claims for the U.S. and will oversee global surety claims as well; Amanda Sorsak has been named Head of First Party Claims, Canada; and Paul Emerson has been named Head of Third Party Claims, Canada.

Lincoln Financial Group has named Jim O'Boyle SVP and head of life and annuity operations effective Nov. 1. He is charged with "accelerating the company's efforts to enhance customer experience and continue to improve internal operating efficiency," the company says in a statement. O'Boyle last was managing director at Equitable.