Effective June 01, Carol Laufer will join AGCS as regional head of liability for North America. Effective August 01, Michael Pignataro will be promoted to North America regional head of energy and construction. Both will be based in New York.
Laufer (pictured above) succeeds Dieter Hautzer, who is retiring from AGCS on July 16 after a 30-year career. Laufer joins AGCS from Zurich North America, where she served as head of excess casualty for US national accounts/commercial insurance. She has also served as executive vice president for excess casualty at ACE USA and held primary casualty leadership roles with AIG.
“Dieter will be missed, as he has been a longstanding leader for our regional liability business and a consummate professional,” said Ciara Brady, global head of liability. “I want to thank him for his many years and contributions to liability. I am thrilled to welcome Carol on board and anticipate she will be a strong and proven regional head, who will continue moving the liability business forward in North America.”
Pignataro (pictured below) succeeds Tim Cook, who is ending a four-year assignment at AGCS North America. Cook will transition his duties to Pignataro through September 30.
Pignataro has been with AGCS since 2018. For the past year, he has served as an underwriting manager overseeing the US construction team. Prior to that, he was an executive underwriter responsible for major builder’s risk placements in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Pignataro specializes in construction property insurance, with US and international underwriting experience within the oil, gas, chemical, heavy industrial and power generation sectors. He has also held construction underwriting roles at AIG, Talbot and XL Catlin.
“I want to thank Tim for all his contributions. He’s been a valuable member of our team, helping us to grow the energy and construction business within North America over his tenure,” said Chris van Gend, global head of energy and construction for AGCS. “I feel very confident in this transition to Mike, who I know to be a results-focused, team-oriented individual, with a well-rounded background in all disciplines under our energy and construction umbrella. As an underwriter, he’s been a leading producer, and is strong in business development and market analysis.”
Laufer and Pignataro will report to Bill Scaldaferri, president and CEO of AGCS North America.
