What’s new: In brief (February 05, 2007)

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Sedgwick CMS) recently announces the appointment of Patrick L. Funck as executive vice president, chief information officer of the North American claims and productivity management services organization.
As an executive vice president, Funck has also joined the Sedgwick CMS Executive Committee.
Funck’s credentials include extensive experience in the identification and introduction of advanced technology solutions for large and diverse workers’ compensation, disability and liability claims operations.
He comes to Sedgwick CMS from third party claims administrator Broadspire Services, where he was chief information officer. His eighteen-year career also includes service as vice president, information technology at Zurich Financial Services responsible for North American claim systems and vice president, information technology at CNA Financial Corporation responsible for claim and underwriting systems initiatives and strategies.
“Excellence in claims technology is central to our commitment to clients,” said Sedgwick CMS President and Chief Executive Officer David A. North. “It is also critical to the continuing development of Sedgwick CMS. We look forward to Pat Funck’s contributions to the value and enrichment of our service offerings for clients and claimants, and to the productivity and convenience of our work environment for colleagues.”

Combined Insurance Co. of America (CICA) has announced that effective July 1, 2007 Doug Wendt will succeed Richard Ravin as CICA’s new chief executive officer.
Ravin will remain as chairman through the end of 2007 and beginning in 2008, he will become chairman-emeritus.
Wendt is currently CICA’s president and chief operating officer.
He joined Aon in January, 2006 from Allstate Insurance where he spent more than 32 years serving in a number of roles, including president of Encompass, Allstate’s division focusing exclusively on the sale of personal property-casualty insurance products by independent agents, where he was responsible for more than 8,000 independent agencies in 43 states.