Florida headquartered property casualty insurance holding company, Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc., has announced the promotion of Ernie Garateix to CEO.
Garateix, who currently serves as Heritage’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), will also join the company’s Board of Directors.
He will take over from Heritage’s co-founder, Bruce Lucas, who is set to retire from his position as Chairman and CEO on November 30th. Lucas will continue to serve as an executive consultant through 2021.
Richard Widdicombe, also a Heritage co-founder, will continue to serve as President of the company and take over the Chairman role from Lucas.
“Ernie is a highly accomplished executive and has been instrumental to Heritage’s success,” said Lucas.
“He’s been with the company since inception, knows the business inside out, has a tireless work ethic and has the trust and respect of our employees and partners. He’s uniquely suited to take over as CEO and I know I’m leaving the Company in good hands.”
During his tenure at Heritage, Garateix has held the positions of COO and Executive Vice President.
Prior to joining Heritage at its inception in 2012, he served as an executive at American Integrity Insurance Group, a coastal homeowners insurer.
“Bruce has done a tremendous job building Heritage from the ground up with impressive operating results,” said Garateix.
“I’ve learned a lot working with Bruce over the past eight years and I’m grateful for this opportunity to succeed him as CEO. I look forward to continuing to expand Heritage’s footprint as the premier super-regional carrier.”
