Everest Makes Strategic Leadership Appointments in U.S. Wholesale Business
Everest, based in Warren, New Jersey, has announced three key leadership appointments to its U.S. wholesale business, Everest Evolution. The appointments reflect the company’s strategic focus on enhancing its excess casualty and industry specialties segments.
Key Appointments at Everest Evolution
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Matt Meserole has been named head of excess casualty, overseeing the strategic direction and underwriting performance of Everest Evolution’s Excess Casualty business. A proven leader in attracting top industry talent, Meserole has been instrumental in developing the company’s excess casualty organization and launching its excess casualty offering for U.S. wholesale customers. Before joining Everest, Meserole worked as a production underwriter at All Risks.
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Adam Birch has been appointed head of industry specialties, leading the strategic growth of Everest Evolution’s construction and energy industry-focused segments. Birch will maintain his role as central region distribution leader for U.S. wholesale customers. Recognized as an E&S market leader, Birch previously held senior underwriting positions at Lexington Insurance and Argo Group.
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Cristin McCarthy has been appointed head of excess construction, bringing expertise in delivering consistent, high-quality solutions for construction broker partners. McCarthy joined Everest from Liberty Mutual Insurance, where she held increasingly senior roles in excess construction underwriting.
Willis Appoints Merker to Lead P/C and AAIS Initiatives
In a separate development, Willis, a WTW business based in New York City, has appointed Harry Merker to a newly created dual role: property and casualty (P/C) cross-industry sales leader and alternative asset insurance solutions (AAIS) sales, strategy and execution leader for North America. Merker will drive broking growth initiatives across Willis’ P/C business while leading strategic broking sales efforts across the company’s 12 industry verticals.
Merker’s role involves close collaboration with actuarial and analytics teams to evolve AAIS offerings and create tailored solutions for private equity firms and portfolio companies. With 20 years of experience in commercial insurance and broking, Merker most recently served as chief broking officer – middle market at Aon, after leading the firm’s East and South regions within the same practice. Based in New York, Merker will report to Aartie Manansingh, head of alternative asset insurance solutions, North America, and will be part of the property and casualty leadership team.
These leadership appointments demonstrate the ongoing evolution in the insurance industry, particularly in the property and casualty sector. The changes at Everest and Willis reflect broader trends in insurance, including the growing importance of specialized industry knowledge and tailored insurance solutions for complex risks.
