Everest Re Group made three big executive changes. Maiden Re launched a new offering and brought in a veteran Zurich exec to lead the effort. Great American Insurance Group announced a big promotion.

***

Everest Re Group has made a number of executive changes.

The Bermuda reinsurer hired former Zurich Insurance executive Michael Kerner as executive vice president, and head of strategy and risk management, effective April 1.

At Zurich, Kerner was most recently CEO – General Insurance. His career at Zurich lasted 24 years and involved various actuarial, reinsurance, underwriting and strategy roles, including CEO – Global Corporate in North America, global head of Group Reinsurance, General Insurance chief underwriting officer and Group head of strategy.

Separately, Everest Re named John Doucette as president and CEO of its reinsurance division starting on April 1.

He first joined Everest in 2008 as a member of its executive management team. In his new role, Doucette will oversee all reinsurance underwriting and claims operations around the world.

Also, Everest named Jonathan Zaffino as president of the North America Insurance division.

Zaffino joined Everest in 2015 as president of Everest National/U.S. Insurance operations. In his new, expanded role, he’ll oversee Everest’s Canadian insurance operation, which is now realigned with the U.S. into a North American region.

As well, Zaffino will take over leadership for Everest’s Accident & Health and Insurance Claims operations.

***

Maiden Reinsurance North America launched its new equipment breakdown reinsurance offering for commercial and personal writers and designated Cass Kuhlke to lead it.

Kuhlke, a Maiden Re vice president, was previously with Zurich Insurance, where he was U.S. head of equipment breakdown insurance. In this role, Kuhlke led equipment breakdown underwriting of reinsurance assumed business at Zurich. He also has additional executive experience from his stint at Zurich, and other positions at The Home Insurance Company and Hartford Steam Boiler.

Maiden Re’s equipment breakdown reinsurance is designed to offer flexibility in reinsurance structure.

***

Great American Insurance Group promoted Lisa Hays to vice president and chief actuary of its property and casualty group.

Hays succeeds John Doellman, who will retire in May 2016. Hays has more than 25 years of industry experience focused on pricing, reserving, reinsurance, product management, strategic planning and predictive analytics.

Sources: Everest Re, Maiden Re, Great American Insurance Group