An XL Catlin and AIG veteran is joining Sompo International Holdings to run its U.S. Commercial Management Liability and Financial Institutions teams. Starr Insurance Companies appointed a veteran executive as Canadian territory manager for general aviation. M.J. Hall & Company Inc. made a former TOPA chief its latest president.

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Sompo International Holdings Ltd. named Ray Santiago as executive vice president and leader of the company’s U.S. Commercial Management Liability and Financial Institutions teams.

Santiago will report to Chris Sparro, chief executive officer of U.S. Insurance, Sompo International, and will be based in the company’s New York office.

Santiago joins the Bermuda-based specialty provider of property/casualty insurance and reinsurance with over 30 years of industry experience. In his new role, he’ll oversee Sompo International’s U.S. CML and FI teams, which will continue to be led by Joe Spallone, senior vice president, CML and Dennis Krause, SVP, FI, respectively.

Previously, Santiago was SVP of underwriting for XL Catlin’s Professional Liability team, and prior to that he served as regional executive for AIG’s New York and Mid-Atlantic region and the financial institutions industry leader for Willis.

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Starr Insurance Companies appointed Paul O’Ryan as Canadian territory manager for general aviation.

O’Ryan brings more than 20 years of aviation and insurance experience to Starr in a new position that will allow the company to source business directly in Canada, Starr said. He’ll be tasked with working directly with Canadian brokers to develop new channels and strengthen existing relationships.

O’Ryan will report to Kyle Sparks, chief underwriting officer at Starr Aviation, and be based in Toronto.

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M.J. Hall & Company Inc. made former TOPA chief John Donahue president of the Stockton, Calif.-based company.

Donahue recently retired from his post as president and CEO at Calabasas, Calif.-based TOPA Insurance Co. He relocated to Southern California nearly six years ago for the leading role at TOPA, and his decision to resign was a personal one, according to the company.

Donahue has 25 years of insurance experience in the fields of preferred and non-standard automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial auto, commercial property/casualty and program business. His career includes positions as chief operating officer of GMAC Insurance and Commerce Insurance Co., group president of Keenan Insurance, and senior vice president of insurance operations for California State Automobile Association.

M.J. Hall & Company is a surplus lines brokerage with offices in California, Nevada and Alaska. It represents over 100 insurance carriers and is licensed in most states.

Sources: Sompo International, Starr and M.J. Hall & Company