Distinguished Programs, a national MGA and insurance programmes manager, is broadening its specialty footprint with the launch of a Marine Cargo programme led by veteran executive Ralph Salce.
The new initiative will offer a full suite of marine cargo solutions, with available coverage addressing global transit exposures, stock throughput arrangements, and complex logistics risks. The company anticipates beginning underwriting activities in the first half of 2026.
Designed from the ground up with a focus on underwriting rigor and market relationships, the Marine Cargo programme reflects Distinguished’s continued investment in specialised, talent-driven offerings.
Oversight of the expansion comes from Distinguished’s executive leadership team—Bill Malloy, Jason Rotman, and Steve Sitterly—who continue to guide growth through the strategic recruitment of experienced underwriting professionals. The firm operates under a “support with autonomy” structure, allowing teams to work independently while benefiting from centralised resources that support carrier partners and broker relationships.
“Expanding into Marine Cargo is a natural extension of our strategy to build specialty programs led by best-in-class talent,” commented Steve Sitterly, COO and CUO at Distinguished. “Ralph and his team bring the experience and market credibility needed to make an immediate impact.”
As president of the Marine Cargo programme, Salce contributes over three decades of experience in ocean marine operations, portfolio underwriting, and strategic planning. He previously headed the Ocean Marine division at Tokio Marine America, where his leadership emphasised measured growth, operational efficiency, and the development of high-performing underwriting teams.
“The marine cargo market continues to evolve, and there is a clear need for experienced underwriting leadership,” Salce added. “We are intentionally building a programme that combines proven expertise, strong relationships and a disciplined underwriting approach. Distinguished provides the platform and support to do that the right way.”
Backing the programme is a Marine Cargo team with more than a century of combined ocean marine underwriting and operational experience, positioning the group to deliver specialised insight and responsive service as it enters the market.
Derek Gibbons is among the initial additions to the Marine Cargo team, bringing more than 20 years of underwriting experience. His background includes oversight of ocean cargo and inland marine portfolios across the Northeast, where he developed strengths in portfolio evaluation, operational delivery, and complex project coordination.
The team is further strengthened by Ralph Santoro, whose career spans over five decades in marine insurance, ocean cargo operations, and risk management. Santoro has held senior roles at INA, AIU/AIMA (AIG), St. Paul, Allianz, Hanover, and Tokio Marine, and continued advising clients as a consultant following his retirement in 2021.
John Murillo contributes nearly two decades of experience in ocean marine underwriting, with a focus on long-term broker relationships and service consistency. Based primarily in South Florida, Murillo is known for his collaborative working style, reliability, and client-focused underwriting approach.
Rounding out the group is Jose Schloessman, an ocean marine cargo production underwriter with more than a decade of experience serving the West Coast. A California Maritime Academy graduate, Schloessman offers direct port and terminal operations insight that supports practical and informed maritime risk evaluation.
Once launched, the Marine Cargo programme will become part of Distinguished’s wider specialty portfolio, which includes fine art and collectibles, environmental risk solutions, real estate, community associations, hotels, surety, restaurants, executive lines, and inland marine products.
