Ryan Specialty, a speciality insurance firm providing distribution, underwriting, product development and risk management services, has announced leadership promotions within its underwriting management arm, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM).
The changes apply to Velocity Risk Underwriters, a technology-enabled managing general underwriter focused on complex commercial property catastrophe risks.
The company has confirmed that Paul Carnegie has been appointed President and Whitney Alt has been named Chief Distribution Officer, with both roles taking effect from 1 May 2026.
As President, Carnegie will be responsible for overseeing Velocity Risk’s operational performance, with particular attention to its core priorities of Scale, Expertise and Service. He will guide the execution of the company’s strategy and support its continued position within the specialty property insurance sector.
Whitney Alt will oversee distribution strategy across the wider Velocity Risk group, including WKFC Underwriting Managers, WKFC Specialty and AgRisk Underwriters.
Miles Wuller, Chief Executive Officer of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers, commented: “Paul’s leadership style—grounded in accountability, collaboration, and a relentless focus on outcomes—makes him uniquely suited for this role. He leads by example, brings clarity to complex decisions, and consistently raises the bar for performance across the organisation. Whitney’s promotion reflects her significant contributions to Velocity Risk’s success and our continued focus on building a leadership team capable of scaling the business and strengthening Velocity’s position as a market leader in specialty property insurance.”
Jake Rothfuss, Chief Executive Officer of Velocity Risk, WKFC and AgRisk, said: “Paul has served as Velocity’s Chief Underwriting Officer with distinction, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, deep technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to our clients, broker trading partners, and capital providers. His impact on Velocity’s underwriting performance, market positioning, and team development has been significant.”
Carnegie added: “Becoming President of Velocity is an incredibly proud moment. Our success is driven by an exceptional team whose discipline, expertise, and commitment to excellence have allowed us to consistently outperform in even the most challenging markets. The world around us is changing rapidly, bringing both complexity and opportunity. Success will belong to those who embrace change, adapt quickly, and lead with conviction. I’m excited and honoured to guide Velocity into this next chapter and confident in what we can achieve together.”
Rothfuss further added: “Whitney’s role as Chief Distribution Officer is critical to our continued success. We view distribution management as a core competitive advantage and a key focus area for the future of the business. Whitney has served as Vice President of Distribution consistently demonstrating strong leadership, deep market connectivity, and a relentless focus on delivering value to our broker trading partners. She has played a critical role in expanding Velocity’s distribution footprint and strengthening key relationships across the market.”
