Alabama-based risk consulting and insurance firm Valent Group has announced the appointment of Kurt Close as senior vice president of property and casualty (P&C). Close will lead the P&C broking and service departments at Valent’s headquarters in Birmingham.
An industry veteran with three decades of experience, Close was previously managing director at Travelers Insurance, where he oversaw its middle market commercial practice in Alabama and Mississippi. In his new role at Valent, Close will be responsible for serving, leading and mentoring the broking/marketing team, as well as the client management team, in the firm’s P&C practice.
“We are dedicated to bringing on leaders who will put team members and clients first and who will ensure that they will ‘Experience the Difference’ when working with Valent Group,” said Paul Barber, president of Valent Group. “Kurt is a veteran leader in our industry and his reputation for building, leading and serving teams and clients is second to none. We are delighted to have Kurt on our team.”
“I’m honored for this opportunity to serve Valent Group’s property and casualty group and the clients we support,” said Close. “Both Valent Group and our parent company, EBSCO Industries, have a reputation in Alabama and across the Southeast for truly caring for clients through fantastic customer service and technical aptitude – this directly connects with my background and vision for building the best firm to work for – and with – in our space.”
