United Risk Names Richard Christofer President and CCO, and Names 29 Professionals to Underwriting and Claims Staff as Group's Dramatic Expansion Continues
Experienced insurance leaders and new staff members join United Risk's growing international MGA operations, now including 37 divisions in over 50 offices
NEW YORK, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Jamie Sahara, President, Applied Underwriters, today announced key staff promotions, executive appointments, and the hiring of newly recruited staff at United Risk to bolster its dramatic growth. United Risk, founded in 2023, is currently among the top five MGA groups worldwide operating 37 underwriting programs from over 50 offices across the globe.
Mr. Richard Christofer has been named President and Chief Commercial Officer with responsibility for the recruitment and acquisition of new underwriting programs and the oversight of the Company's existing programs. Mr. Christofer works from the Company's corporate headquarters at Rockefeller Center in New York.
According to Mr. Sahara, the promotion of Mr. Christofer to a top post at United Risk follows his successful leadership in critical areas of responsibility: 'Rick has been with United Risk since its launch and has been instrumental in building the Company's impressive roster of underwriting programs, attracting the top talent required to execute successfully.'
Mr. Christofer, who held positions at AIG, Guy Carpenter, and Gen Re before joining United Risk, stated how the changing insurance industry has created opportunities for the Company: 'This is a great time to be in the MGA business. Our concept has been growth through bolt-ons and recruitment of the very best talent. When we bring on a new operation, we're already looking at proven underwriting and claims results. The outcome has been solid financial performance for our carriers and reinsurers and solid growth within all of the programs.'
Mr. Christofer concluded, 'Our unique culture based on free enterprise has become an attractive force for the brightest minds in the business. I enjoy the camaraderie among so many great people in our organization as we work towards our common goals.'
In addition to Mr. Christofer's appointment, Mr. Dónal Corcoran has been promoted to Head of International Business Development for United Risk.
Other promotions at the Company's various divisions included: Applied Financial Lines – Garrett Huff, Senior Underwriter; Applied Surety Underwriters – Emily Woodrome, Executive Underwriter; Applied Underwriters Aviation – Kristina Orcutt, Vice President of Underwriting, Josh Wilcoxon, Vice President of Claims, and Deanna Pease, Senior Underwriter; and Rivington Environmental – Patrick Moakley, Senior Underwriter.
New recruit highlights include: Applied Crisis Underwriters – Mason Anderson, Senior Underwriter; Applied Financial Lines – Vincent Regina, Vice President and Co-Leader of Cyber, Lauren Markowski, Vice President and Co-Leader of Cyber, Chris Jones, Assistant Vice President, Josephine Chiarelli, Assistant Vice President, Erik Rogucki, Assistant Vice President, Ann McCarthy, Assistant Vice President, Sylvia Teng, Underwriting Manager of Cyber, Morgan Gentry, Senior Healthcare Underwriter, and Andrew Reswow, Senior Healthcare Underwriter; Applied Entertainment & Sports – Ken Hashberger, Vice President of Film and Television, Martin Holness, Director of Accident and Contingency, and Stefanie Hester, Senior Underwriter and Team Lead; Applied Surety Underwriters – Dan Orna, Vice President and Regional Underwriting Officer, Alexandra Mealer, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Organizational Development, Paul Harmon, Director of Surety Claims, Ramona Seidman, Executive Underwriter, Matthew Machacek, Senior Underwriter, and Bailey Cunningham, Senior Underwriter; and Applied Underwriters Aviation – Rob Marsh, Vice President and Underwriting Manager and Matthew Gray, Assistant Vice President of Aviation Claims.
About United Risk Global ( www.unitedrisk.global )
United Risk Global is an international property and casualty insurance underwriting and distribution platform independently owned and operated by its practice partners and affiliated with Applied Underwriters operationally and through its common and powerful brand identity. United Risk's home office is located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
About Applied Underwriters ( www.auw.com )
Applied Underwriters® is a global risk services firm that helps businesses and people manage uncertainty through its business services, insurance and reinsurance solutions. As a company, Applied Underwriters has been distinguished by its innovative approaches to client care and by its strong financial strength. Applied Underwriters operates widely throughout the US, UK, EU and Middle East. Its operational headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
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