Optio Group, a house of insurance companies, has appointed Todd Germano as Managing Director of Optio Insurance Services North America, effective immediately.
Optio is comprised of MGAs Ascent Underwriting, Cove Programs, and brokerage Bay Risk Services. The company notes that this appointment coincides with the development of its U.S. platform as part of its accelerated growth strategy.
Germano joins the company from Allied World Assurance Company, where he had oversight of the establishment of Allied World Programs, among a number of other specialty initiatives. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Global Crisis Management Insurance.
Prior to Allied World Assurance Company, he worked at global insurer AIG for 11 years, where he worked as the first profit center manager for AIG construction excess. He later became the profit center manager for AIG Specialty Excess.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Optio, Kevin Hastings, said: “We got to know Todd very well during his time at AWAC and we are extremely pleased to announce he will be joining Optio as our North American MD. His expertise, ingenuity and distinctive leadership style will be of tremendous benefit in our continued expansion into specialty lines of business, delivering underwriting profit to our carrier partners, particularly in our core market, the U.S.”
Commenting on his new appointment, Germano said: “I am excited to rejoin the wholesale/MGA community, which was such a satisfying part of my early career. I have always respected Optio’s achievements. That and its quality team and excellent leadership are key reasons for my joining. I am confident my experiences will be accretive to the US team and the wider group and I look forward to working with them in driving Optio to achieve its full potential in the U.S.”
