Applied snares senior Argo Surety trio, AIG aviation talent in growth push

Applied Underwriters has snapped up three senior executives from Argo, including its surety chief underwriter, and an aviation claims leader from AIG to expand its capabilities in the US.

Applied Surety Underwriters has hired James Bluzard as chief underwriting officer (CUO), contracts, Christopher Raines as vice president, national underwriting officer, and Kyle Fuller as vice president, regional underwriting officer.

Blizzard was most recently CUO contract surety at Argo Surety, helping launch its contract surety division in 2017. In less than six years the division grew to in excess of $40 million in annual GWP writing business.

In his new role, Blizzard will oversee large contract leadership including underwriting oversight, strategy, and operations at Applied.

Raines, who previously served as vice president, national underwriting officer at Argo Surety where he had underwriting oversight of the Central United States territory, will be responsible for the oversight of underwriting and marketing.

Fuller was recently assistant vice president, underwriting for contact surety, at Argo Group.

Additionally, Applied Underwriters Aerospace has tapped Jeff Sheets as VP, regional claims manager, Applied Underwriters Aviation. Sheets brings nearly 30 years of customer server-focused experience in airline, airport, product and commercial liability as well as agriculture, industrial aid and general aviation hull and liability claims, Sheets will manage Aviation claims for the western half of the US.

Sheets was most recently vice president, general aviation claims manager for American International Group (AIG).

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