By James Thaler

March 11 - (The Insurer) - Zurich North America has recruited Atlanta-based Markel casualty executive Steve Tralongo and a trio of his colleagues, as the insurer looks to continue building out its wholesale offering.

Tralongo recently resigned from his role with Markel to join Zurich, along with a trio of colleagues: Simon Haq, Joey Pappanastos and Justin Wray.

Tralongo had spent around the last dozen years with Markel as senior director of underwriting and production for Markel’s excess and umbrella offering, overseeing staff in Markel’s Richmond and Atlanta hubs and a portfolio of around $40 million in excess liability premium.

He previously spent four years working for Crum & Forster-owned CoverX Specialty, after spending a dozen years with XL Capital prior to its 2015 acquisition of Catlin Group Limited, and before it was acquired by French firm Axa.

Last week, in response to Tralongo’s departure Markel announced that it had reshuffled its excess casualty leadership in the Southeast, promoting Nan Fine to managing director, casualty, Southeast region for Markel Specialty.

The announcement did not disclose Tralongo’s or any other colleagues’ departures.

Markel also appointed Hillary Warren as manager for commercial wholesale excess casualty, Southeast region.

Fine, who joined Markel in 2022, previously served as senior director of casualty for the Southeast region. Before that, she held various roles at Everest Insurance, Arch, Admiral Insurance Company and Axis Capital.

In her new role, Fine will oversee casualty lines, including healthcare risk solutions, primary casualty and excess casualty, which will now report to her. She reports to Southeast regional president Steve Girard.

Warren has held multiple roles since joining Markel in 2016, most recently serving as a senior underwriter.

As manager of commercial wholesale excess casualty, she will lead the excess casualty team in the Southeast, setting the strategic direction of the excess portfolio and strengthening wholesale relationships. She reports to Fine.

"Nan has already been focusing on refreshing and revising our strategy and direction for excess casualty in the Southeast region, as we reshape and redefine our culture, appetite, and organisational structure," Girard said.

"The experience and expertise of these two strong leaders will help us continue to grow our region's excess casualty business in both the near and long term,” he added.

Spokespeople for Markel and Zurich declined to comment.