XL Insurance Announces Changes to Chicago-Based Environmental Underwriting Team

EXTON, Pennsylvania, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL), today announced changes in its Chicago-based Environmental Underwriting team with the appointment of Mike LaRocca to Central Region Underwriting Manager.  Previously, Mr. LaRocca was XL Insurance's North-Central Region Business Development Manager. Mr. LaRocca now assumes environmental underwriting management duties in XL Insurance's 19-state Central Region.  

According to Tricia Norquist, Senior Vice President and North American Field Operations Manager of XL Insurance's Environmental group, "We're delighted Mike is joining our environmental underwriting team. Mike brings extensive industry experience, a strong legal background and a unique skill in building specialty producer relationships. A very collaborative team player, Mike's experience with working across all XL Insurance product lines will prove valuable as we work with our XL colleagues to assure our clients are well protected."

"Pollution incidents make headlines everyday and continue to remind businesses of their need to manage environmental liability," Ms. Norquist added.  "Over the last 25 years, XL Insurance's pollution coverages have evolved as the needs of our clients change. Mike and his team bring together multi-disciplinary experience, environmental knowledge and enthusiasm that I know our brokers and clients will find valuable and instrumental when addressing their ever-changing environmental liabilities."  

Prior to his most recent Business Development position in Chicago, Mr. LaRocca worked within XL Insurance's Marine and Offshore Energy unit in New York.  Before his tenure at XL Insurance, he held regional management positions with Aon in the Midwest/East, Willis in the Southeast and Beecher Carlson in the West.  Mr. LaRocca began his career practicing insurance defense litigation and maritime law.  

Mr. LaRocca is joined by two new environmental underwriters, Sarah Murray and Kathy Villagomez.  Ms. Murray joins XL Insurance from Practical Environmental Consultants in Schaumburg, Illinois, where she was a project manager and geologist.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago.  Ms. Villagomez was field geologist for Pangean-CMD Associates before joining XL Insurance's Environmental group.  She is a graduate of Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, where she received her BA in Geology.

About XL Insurance

XL Insurance's Environmental group has been providing pollution insurance, risk control and claim handling solutions to environmental and non-environmental businesses, including Brownfield properties, engineers, general contractors, manufacturers, real estate owners and more, since 1979.

XL Insurance is the global brand used by XL Group plc's insurance companies and underwriting divisions offering property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products throughout the world. More information about XL Insurance is available at www.xlinsurance.com. XL Group plc, through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty, and specialty products to industrial, commercial, and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. More information about XL Group plc is available at www.xlgroup.com.

SOURCE XL Insurance