People Going Places: Thomas, Riordan, Lane

Insurance industry people are on the move. If you have an announcement you want published, email it to: eastcoastdt@aol.com.

* Argo Group (www.argogroupus.com) announced the appointment of Robert Thomas as president of Argo Surety. The business will be based in Houston, TX with planned branches in California and on the East Coast by 2009. Prior to joining Argo Group, Thomas held several executive level positions simultaneously at HCC Insurance Holdings, including president and CEO of its Surety Group, CEO of its Credit Group, and president of HCC Risk Management, the organization’s ceded reinsurance administration arm.

* Brown & Brown Inc. (www.bbinsurance.com) announced that Michael Riordan was elected by the Board of Directors as regional executive vice president responsible for the company's Hull & Company brokerage operations. Riordan has worked with Hull & Company Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc., since 1978.

* Willis Group Holdings (www.willis.com) reported that Jeffrey Lane has been named to its Board of Directors and will be a member of the Compensation Committee. Lane offers more than 40 years of financial experience to Willis. He is chairman and CEO of Bear Stearns Asset Management.

* Cunningham Lindsey Group Ltd. (www.cunninghamlindsey.com) noted that Ed Mullen has been appointed chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the company. Before joining Cunningham Lindsey, Mullen was a senior executive for a leading third party administrator of workers' compensation and disability claims.

* General Re Corporation (www.genre.com) announced that John Cholnoky has been promoted to president of General Reinsurance Corporation and manager of Gen Re’s global direct Property and Casualty operations. His responsibilities will include General Re’s direct treaty, both marketing and underwriting, facultative and claims divisions.

Arrowhead General Insurance Agency (www.arrowheadgrp.com) reported that Robert Kingsley will join the commercial division management team as president of the special contractors, commercial auto and surety programs.