Zurich North America has restructured its distribution network by establishing two new regions and appointing Ben Forster and Jana Maddox to lead them.
Forster will manage the east region, while Maddox will oversee the south-central region.
The move aligns with Zurich’s efforts to be closer to its brokers and clients, addressing regional market needs and supporting business growth.
Forster, based in Philadelphia, began working with Zurich in 2016.
His most recent role was as global relationship leader for the east region. He has 12 years of experience in the insurance sector, having started his career at Travelers Insurance.
Maddox, based in Dallas, joined Zurich in 2018 and most recently served as head of operations for customer relationship management while also acting as a senior global relationship leader in the south.
She has 18 years of industry experience, having held leadership roles at both The Hartford and Travelers Insurance.
Maddox and Forster will report to Carl Sutter, Zurich North America’s head of distribution and regional management, with oversight across various business units.
Sutter said their responsibilities will include overseeing a team of territory leaders tasked with developing new distribution channels, maintaining relationships with distributors, and enhancing client engagement.
He expressed confidence in the promotions, commenting that both executives’ experience in underwriting and relationship management positions them to drive the company’s regional distribution and management strategies.
“I’m excited to have Jana and Ben take on these critical field leadership positions, leading strategic growth, profitability, and operations for their regions and for Zurich North America as a whole,” he said.
Zurich has also retained Andy Peterson and Jason Sauer in their roles as regional executives for the New York metro and southeast regions.
Marilyn Boss will continue to lead the west region, and Gerald Chiddick will remain responsible for the midwest region.
In a separate leadership change, Zurich recently promoted Chris Nolan to head of surety for US national accounts.
Nolan, who has been with Zurich since 2022, will now oversee both contract and commercial surety. He succeeds Bob Murray, who retired in June.
Paul Lavelle, head of US national accounts at Zurich North America, said Nolan’s promotion highlights his deep expertise in surety, gained through more than two decades of experience.
“Chris has earned this promotion through nearly 25 years in surety, including two successful years leading our large contract surety business,” he said.
