Global specialty insurer Ryan Specialty Holdings has promoted Brenda Austenfeld and Chris Houska to CEO and President of RT Specialty’s Property Practice and Casualty Practice, effective immediately.
Austenfeld has been with RT Specialty, the wholesale brokerage unit of Ryan Specialty, since 2013 joining with the acquisition of Westrope, where she was a Partner with the firm.
Austenfeld’s leadership and guidance in sales and strategic initiatives, as well as her focus on talent development and team building, has helped elevate RT Property to a prominent position within the property industry, the specialty insurer said.
Houska, who has over 30 years of casualty insurance experience, joined RT Specialty as part of the original founding group in 2010.
Houska’s leadership has played a key role in establishing and laying the groundwork for RT Specialty, leading to its impressive growth. Under his guidance, RT Specialty’s Casualty Practice has emerged as a top team in the industry, the specialty insurer noted.
“Under Brenda’s executive guidance, RT Specialty’s Property practice has grown exponentially and has become well-known for its ability to creatively and effectively handle specialized and catastrophic property exposures,” Tim Turner, Chairman & CEO of RT Specialty and President of Ryan Specialty commented on Austenfeld’s promotion to CEO in addition to being President.
“I have worked with Chris for many years and have admired his deep relationships throughout the industry as well as his business acumen. Chris has been instrumental to RT Specialty in cultivating acquisitions and growing our Casualty Practice,” Turner said on Houska’s leadership.
