Reinsurance Association of America elects new officers from AXA XL, Hamilton Re and Markel

The Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) has elected John Welch, chief executive North America, AXA XL Reinsurance, as the new chairman of its board.

Welch, who is also chair of the RAA’s council of reinsurers and brokers, succeeds Steve Levy, Munich Re America's president and CEO of reinsurance.

Additionally, Kathleen Reardon, chief executive officer of Hamilton Re, has been appointed vice chair, and Jed Rhoads, president and chief underwriting officer of Markel Global Reinsurance, as secretary-treasurer.

Before joining Hamilton Re in 2012, Reardon served as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer for ACE (now Chubb) Tempest Re Bermuda’s International Property Catastrophe reinsurance business.

Rhoads leads Markel’s treaty and facultative reinsurance business with teams focused on property, casualty, specialty, and public entity risk solutions. Previously, he has held senior positions with Harbor Point Re, Chubb Re Bermuda, Overseas Partners Limited Bermuda (OPL), and Stockton Re Bermuda.

The appointments were made at the association's annual meeting of members in April.