XL Insurance Grows North America Programs Team with Appointments in Boston and Chicago

BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Insurance, the global insurance underwriting operations of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL), today announced the appointment of two Vice Presidents - Senior Program Executives to its North America Program team, adding Virginia Chase in Boston and Michael B. Mandziara in Chicago.

According to Quinnon Purvis, President of XL Insurance's North America Programs unit, "Virginia and Mike bring broad program underwriting experience to our team. For more than two decades Virginia has focused on program management and development. In addition to overseeing a significant program operation in North America, Mike has hands-on global experience, having spent time in Europe helping to establish and implement global underwriting processes and tools."

"We are fortunate to have two more experienced program executives join our operation," Mr. Purvis added.  "Profitable insurance programs need the right guidance to grow.  We're looking forward to applying Virginia and Mike's proven talent to generate more success for our existing and future program partners."

Ms. Chase joins XL Insurance from Lexington Insurance Company, where she most recently served as Senior Program Manager.  Her career also includes various underwriting and program management positions with One Beacon and Commercial Union Insurance.  A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Ms. Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.

Mr. Mandziara moves to XL Insurance from Zurich Financial Services where he was Senior Vice President and Head of Construction Services within Programs and Direct Markets.  Prior to his Programs position, he implemented agency and broker strategy for Zurich's North America Commercial Small Business unit.  Before joining Zurich in 2002, Mr. Mandziara was a consultant with Accenture where he helped manage various IT and process transformation projects.  He earned his Masters of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elmhurst College in Illinois.  He is certified as a Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and a Project Management Professional (PMP).

XL Insurance's North America Programs group works with Program Administrators nationwide who provide insurance coverage to very specific industries, having unique industry knowledge, specialized underwriting skill and a proven record of success with managing books of program business.

About XL Insurance

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 was formed in 1986 in response to the unmet risk management needs of 68 of the world's largest companies. This year, as XL celebrates its 25th anniversary, it remains the company clients look to for innovative insurance and reinsurance solutions for their most complex risks.  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