ICW Group Names Jake Sokol Head of Excess Casualty for New Business Unit, ICW Specialty

Sokol to Lead Launch of Excess Casualty as ICW Specialty's First Offering

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICW Group Insurance Companies today announced the appointment of Jake Sokol as Head of Excess Casualty for ICW Specialty, the company's newly formed specialty products business unit. In this role, Sokol will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Excess Casualty division, expected to launch next year.

Supporting ICW Group's broader diversification growth strategy, Sokol will spearhead product innovation, guide underwriting strategies, and cultivate top talent to deliver Excess Casualty to market. Sokol and his team will be based out of Atlanta, alongside Tracey Estes, the newly appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of ICW Specialty.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jake Sokol as the Head of Excess Casualty at ICW Specialty," said Estes. "Jake brings deep expertise in the excess casualty marketplace and embodies a people-first leadership style that inspires and empowers high-performing teams. His ability to shape culture, foster collaboration, and drive innovation makes him the perfect leader to launch our first specialty insurance product. With Jake at the helm, we are building more than a product—we are building a culture of excellence that will define the future of ICW Specialty."

Sokol is a seasoned insurance executive with more than 20 years of expertise in Excess Casualty underwriting and strategic portfolio management. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Head of National Accounts, Excess Casualty at Everest Insurance, where he managed an Excess Casualty portfolio and led a team of underwriters across the U.S. Sokol has also held senior roles at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and C.V. Starr, where he led product development, national marketing initiatives, and managed Large Account and Commercial Excess Casualty portfolios. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in Economics from Boston University.

"I am honored to join ICW Group's distinguished leadership team at a pivotal moment in the company's journey," said Sokol. "With a clear vision for strategic growth, we are laying the foundation for a world-class specialty E&S platform, beginning with our Excess Casualty product line. Our mission is to deliver exceptional experiences through deep relationships, thoughtful innovation, and lasting value. I am especially proud and excited to build upon the people-first culture that ICW Group has cultivated over its 53-year history—an enduring legacy that places employees, partners, and policyholders at the center of everything we do."

ICW Specialty, a newly formed business unit that includes VerTerra Insurance, ICW Group's Excess and Surplus lines carrier. More information will be coming soon on the development of ICW Specialty. Visit www.icwgroup.com for updates.

About ICW Group
ICW Group Insurance Companies is a top-tier, national, multi-line Property & Casualty insurance company, providing comprehensive coverage to safeguard our customers' worlds. Representing a group of carriers, including Insurance Company of the West, Explorer Insurance Company, and VerTerra Insurance, ICW Group is committed to creating the best insurance experience possible for its policyholder customers and network of independent agent, broker and wholesaler partners. For more information, visit www.icwgroup.com.

SOURCE ICW Group