What’s New: In brief (April 11, 2006)

The OIAA will hold this years ‘Out of Town Meeting’ on June 2 and 3, 2006 in Thunder Bay, ON. Details about the annual shindig, dubbed “Rendezvous 2006: Thunder Bay,” can be found at www.tbiaa.ca. The Website offers information about the seminars, trade show, tours and special events that will be featured at the event. Interested parties can also contact committee chairman Frank Castaldo at frank.castaldo@ingcanada.com for further details.

Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH) recently appointed Don Bailey as the new chief operating officer of the company’s North American business unit. Bailey, who joined Willis in March, 2003 to lead the company’s North American executive risks practice, will work with Mario Vitale, CEO of Willis North America. Alongside Vitale, Bailey will manage the organization’s day-to-day operational and sales activities and also develop and implement the unit’s long term strategy. In addition, Bailey will execute the overall strategy in North America and build an organizational platform to drive future performance. Previously Bailey was senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of the specialty risk lines at Allianz Insurance Company in Chicago. Prior to his tenure with Allianz, he served Aon and Marsh in various capacities. His insurance career started with Chubb & Son in 1987, when he joined the firm as an underwriter in the financial institutions department. Tom Coughlin, who has been chief operating officer of Willis risk solutions North America since 2000, will succeed Bailey as CEO of the practice.