Risk Strategies names leader for central region operations

Risk Strategies has appointed Steve Giannone (pictured) to serve as the leader for the brokerage’s central region operations.

Giannone will be based in Chicago and brings with him nearly 30 years of insurance industry experience, having served major carriers and brokerage firms. Giannone was most recently senior vice-president and managing director at USI Insurance Services’ insurance brokerage and consulting practice in Chicago. In that role, he led the practice’s sales and service efforts while overseeing operational functions.

Prior to joining USI, Giannone was a senior vice-president and zonal executive with AIG, where he oversaw a 14-state operation. At AIG, he also managed the company’s largest onshore-energy property operation in Houston.

A release said that Giannone first came to Chicago to start a facultative reinsurance operation for Willis Re, where he was an executive vice-president and managing director. Before that, he was managing a multi-line, middle-market book of business for Travelers’ commercial accounts group in New Jersey.

He began his insurance career as a senior account executive with Hartford Steam Boiler, which is now part of Munich Re. He is also a graduate of Marist College.

“Risk Strategies’ vision of being a specialty firm focused on delivering value through expertise is distinctive in the market,” Giannone said in a statement. “I’m excited to help further that vision by not only driving efficiency and growth but also facilitating processes that ensure practitioners can make a real difference for clients.”

Giannone’s appointment comes after Risk Strategies named William Holden to oversee the company’s western regional operations.