Regional carrier Westminster American Insurance Company has named its longtime general counsel to be the next president and CEO.

John Scott, Jr. will assume the top spot on Jan. 1, 2015. He’ll replace Frank Hiser, but the longtime CEO won’t be leaving the company. Hiser will continue on as executive vice president and also run Westminster American’s underwriting department.

Scott become vice president and general counsel at Westminster American after it was demutualized in 2005. He’s credited with helping to grow the carrier from a one-stage personal lines carrier into a six-stage regional commercial carrier that has an A- rating rom A.M. Best.

Westminster American offers commercial property and casualty insurance in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Delaware. The company was first chartered back in 1869, according to the CEO announcement.

Worth noting: Scott is becoming Westminster American’s new president and CEO as part of the company’s succession management plan, developed by both its board of directors and Hiser.

Source: Westminster American