A former Travelers executive is joining Zurich North America to oversee its newly-created Complex Casualty unit.

Steve Lezaj will take on the job with the title of National Complex Casualty Underwriting Director. He was most recently Account Executive Director at Travelers, responsible for leading a team in the generation, underwriting and management of a book of complex, loss-sensitive business. His previous work experience includes account executive roles at Royal & Sun Alliance in Atlanta and Hartford Specialty Company in Los Angeles.

Lezaj began his career as an actuarial analyst at Hartford Financial Services Group.

The Complex Casualty unit will support Zurich’s customers in the upper middle-market segment and to assist them in managing the unique and complex risks they face within their casualty programs. It’s designed to leverage the strengths of Zurich’s underwriting and service platforms to provide a broad suite of loss-sensitive products and services to accounts with expected annual losses up to $3 million.

“There is tremendous growth opportunity in the upper middle-market segment,” John Diaz, Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Middle Market for Zurich, said in prepared remarks. “Together, this team of seasoned underwriting professionals will provide the specialized skills needed to manage and expand our market share in this segment, and by empowering local underwriters, it will be easier for our brokers and customers to conduct business with Zurich.”

Source: Zurich North America