P&C insurer Skyward Specialty has expanded its Surety division with the addition of seven new executives, including Scott Bailey, who has been appointed Vice President of Field Operations for Contract Surety and Chaz Cointment as Assistant Vice President of Contract Surety.
Bailey has nearly 40 years of experience specialising in Surety, having most recently served as Underwriting Manager, Surety for United Fire & Casualty (UFC) Insurance for over four years.
He began his career at Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance and held expanded leadership roles at Merchants Bonding Company and Frankenmuth Surety.
As assistant VP of Contract Surety, Cointment will lead the expansion of the company’s contract surety presence across Texas and surrounding states.
Throughout his more than 15-year career he has established a reputable market presence through various leadership positions at Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance, RLI, Inc., and Nationwide.
Alongside these significant leadership roles, Skyward Specialty also welcomed five new Senior Underwriters.
They include Derek Leppek, formerly of Crum & Forster, Tom Langhurst, previously with United Fire Group, and Marlena Guay from Liberty Mutual Surety, all of whom will enhance opportunities in Contract Surety.
Kyle Mineo from AON, PLC and Alexandra Kiely, previously with Traveler’s Insurance Company, have also joined the team to bolster the company’s expansions in Commercial Surety.
Matt Semeraro, Senior Vice president and Head of Surety, said: “Investing in top industry talent is key to progressing our business and crucial to how we win in our selected markets. We are always looking to take advantage of new opportunities in the surety marketplace and recruiting top-notch underwriters and leaders boosts our capacity to respond to an ever-changing and growing market.
He added: “The exceptional team we’re building and their dedication to providing superior service and solutions have made us a leading Surety.”
