Category: Appointments

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Appointments

TransRe Announces Leadership Promotions to Strengthen Client and Broker Partnerships

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s TransRe has announced a series of leadership promotions aimed at deepening client and broker relationships while enhancing underwriting, portfolio management, and analytics capabilities across the organization.

Desmond Pollock has been appointed to lead TransRe’s Go-To-Market team, with responsibility for client and broker relationships, analytics, and market communications. Pollock joined TransRe in 2006 and previously led the U.S. Custom team. He will report to Paul McKeon, President of Global Underwriting.

Eyal Shnaps has been named head of the U.S. Custom team, a key component of TransRe’s global portfolio. Shnaps joined the company in 2014 and most recently served as Global Property Portfolio Leader. In his new role, he will report to John Fugit, Chief Underwriting Officer for North America.

Mike Torre has assumed responsibility for TransRe’s global property portfolio in addition to leading the company’s third-party capital strategy. Torre, who joined TransRe in 2018, will report to Lisa Moser, President of Global Portfolio Management.

Maryam Haji has been appointed Global Head of Research & Catastrophe Management, overseeing catastrophe management and modeling worldwide. Since joining TransRe in 2014, Haji has played a central role in advancing the firm’s risk assessment and modeling capabilities. She will continue to report to Lisa Moser.

Commenting on the changes, Paul McKeon said the promotions ensure TransRe’s front-line teams are well supported in delivering the service and expertise clients and brokers expect. Lisa Moser added that the new structure better integrates analytics with underwriting, enhancing insights across regions and lines of business.

Founded in 1977, TransRe is the brand name for Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. A wholly owned subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, TransRe is headquartered in New York and operates globally, providing innovative property and casualty reinsurance solutions.

© 2026 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Announces Key Leadership Promotions

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has announced the promotions of Glen Wellbrock and Christina Collignon, signaling a new phase of growth and innovation for the brokerage as it continues to evolve alongside a changing real estate market.

Wellbrock, previously Senior Director of Marketing, has been promoted to Vice President of Business Initiatives. Christina Collignon, who most recently served as Content Marketing Manager, has advanced to Director of Marketing. Together, they bring more than 16 years of combined experience with the company and a shared focus on strengthening agent support through modern, adaptable strategies.

“In a market that continues to evolve, agents need a brokerage that evolves with them,” said President Brent Consedine. “Glen and Christina understand how to support agents in a competitive, fast-changing environment, and their leadership directly enhances the tools and resources our agents rely on.”

In his new role, Wellbrock will focus on driving growth through streamlined, technology-driven initiatives that build on the company’s iconic brand. Collignon will lead marketing efforts that elevate the brokerage’s voice across Southern California, spotlighting agents, communities, and innovative storytelling to build trust and visibility.

Both leaders are expected to unveil new initiatives in 2026 aimed at enhancing agent success and positioning the company for continued growth. With these promotions, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties reinforces its commitment to innovation, leadership development, and delivering value to its more than 2,200 sales associates across the state.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices of America, Inc., supporting more than 2,200 sales associates across 42 offices from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. In 2024, the company’s agents facilitated more than 6,700 transactions, generating over $11.4 billion in sales volume.

© 2026 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments

Berkshire Hathaway Announces Wide-Ranging Leadership Updates, Exit of Todd Combs

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway has unveiled a series of major leadership appointments across its non-insurance, insurance, and corporate divisions, marking a significant evolution in its senior ranks. It also announced the leaving of long-time investment manager and GEICO head Todd Combs.

Non-Insurance Operations
Adam M. Johnson, longtime CEO of NetJets, has been named President of Berkshire’s Consumer Products, Service and Retailing group. Johnson will continue leading NetJets while supporting the CEOs of 32 businesses in the consumer portfolio. Gregory E. Abel, Vice Chairman for Non-Insurance Operations, praised Johnson’s record of delivering long-term value and strengthening global operations. Abel will continue overseeing the remaining non-insurance units—including BNSF, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Pilot, McLane, and industrial and building products—as he prepares to assume the role of Berkshire’s President and CEO in 2026.

Insurance Operations
Nancy L. Pierce has been appointed CEO of GEICO. A GEICO veteran since 1986, Pierce rises from her role as COO, bringing decades of experience across claims, underwriting, product management, and regional leadership. Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman for Insurance Operations, emphasized her practical and results-driven leadership.

The move coincides with the departure of Todd A. Combs, GEICO’s CEO since 2020, who is leaving Berkshire to take a senior role at JPMorgan Chase. Warren E. Buffett credited Combs with expanding GEICO’s capabilities and making strong leadership hires.

Corporate Leadership
Marc D. Hamburg, Berkshire’s long-serving CFO, will retire in 2027 after four decades with the company. Buffett called Hamburg’s contributions “indispensable” and praised his integrity and judgment. Charles C. Chang, currently CFO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, will succeed Hamburg in June 2026, with a yearlong transition underway.

Berkshire is also creating a new corporate role: Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Michael J. O’Sullivan will step into the position on January 1, 2026. O’Sullivan joins from Snap Inc. and previously spent over twenty years at Munger, Tolles & Olson advising on governance, litigation, and major transactions.

Together, these appointments underscore Berkshire Hathaway’s longstanding focus on selecting leaders who embody its culture, demonstrate strong judgment, and preserve the company’s distinctive decentralized approach.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BHSI Appoints New Leaders in Ireland

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has announced key leadership changes in its Ireland operations, naming Caoimhe Gormley as Country Manager and Ciaran Reddin as Head of Executive & Professional (E&P) Lines.

Alessandro Cerase, Head of Europe at BHSI, praised their contributions, stating, “Caoimhe and Ciaran are proven leaders who embody BHSI’s customer-first values and culture. Their expertise has been instrumental in our growth in Ireland.”

Caoimhe Gormley, with 17 years of industry experience, joined BHSI in 2018 as Head of E&P Lines and later took on the role of Head of Customer & Broker Engagement. She succeeds Louise Kidd and will continue to lead customer and broker relations alongside her new responsibilities.

Ciaran Reddin, who joined BHSI in 2019, previously led Professional Indemnity and Cyber lines. With over a decade of experience, he now steps into his new role overseeing E&P Lines in Ireland.

BHSI continues to expand its presence in Ireland, offering a range of property, casualty, and E&P insurance solutions, as well as multinational programs.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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HomeServices of America Announces Leadership Transition

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway company and the nation’s leading provider of homeownership services, has announced a significant leadership change. Gino Blefari, who has served as President and CEO for over five years, will now take on the role of Chairman Emeritus. Chris Kelly, currently Executive Vice President, will step into the role of President and CEO, effective immediately.

Blefari, a respected figure in the real estate industry, will remain involved as a strategic advisor, particularly supporting the growth and development of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise network. Reflecting on his tenure, Blefari said, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as President and CEO. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to support the new leadership as they take HomeServices into its next chapter.”

Kelly brings over 25 years of experience to his new role, with a background in law and a deep history with HomeServices, including leadership roles at ReeceNichols and the Ebby Halliday Companies.

“I’m humbled to follow in Gino’s footsteps,” said Kelly. “HomeServices’ true strength is our people. Our focus remains on supporting them across all aspects of real estate—brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and franchise—as they serve their clients and communities. Together, we will shape the future of real estate.”

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Promotes Anthony Tatulli to Expanded Leadership Role

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has elevated Anthony Tatulli to the newly expanded position of Head of Liability, Executive & Professional Lines. In addition to continuing his leadership of BHSI’s Executive & Professional (E&P) Lines business, Tatulli will now oversee the company’s Casualty and Healthcare divisions, as well as Customer & Broker Engagement in North America.

“Anthony has had tremendous success profitably growing our E&P Lines business and bringing BHSI’s stellar value proposition to the marketplace,” said Sanjay Godhwani, President of BHSI’s North America Region. “This new role will broaden his impact as he works closely with our Casualty, Healthcare, and Customer & Broker Engagement leaders to further strengthen and expand BHSI’s relationships throughout our liability lines.”

Tatulli joined BHSI in 2021 as Head of E&P Lines, bringing with him more than 30 years of industry experience across underwriting, claims, and legal. Before transitioning to the insurance sector, he spent eight years as an attorney. His expanded leadership role underscores BHSI’s commitment to strengthening its liability offerings and deepening industry relationships.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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TransRe Restructures Data Science Team to Boost AI Capabilities

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s TransRe has restructured its data science team to enhance the development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Large Language Models.

Otakar Hubschmann has been promoted to the newly created role of Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, where he will lead TransRe’s Artificial Intelligence Team (TRAIT). Otakar joined TransRe in 2016 from a quantitative trading background and has since established a data science group. Under his leadership, the team has worked on automating data extraction and ingestion from submissions and contracts, and enabling rapid document comparison.

Socrates Pichardo, TransRe’s Chief Technology Officer, will also join TRAIT. Socrates, who has been with TransRe since 1993, has led several major IT projects, including the development of TransRe’s property underwriting platform and the company’s business cloud migration. He was appointed group CTO in 2017.

TRAIT aims to integrate AI’s rapidly developing capabilities with TransRe’s existing expertise to deliver additional insights for colleagues and clients. To ensure these capabilities are embedded within the operating units, TRAIT will report to TransRe’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Mahoney.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments

BHHC Appoints Marj Hutchings as New CIO

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) Workers Compensation Division has announced Marj Hutchings as their new Chief Information Officer (CIO). With 35 years in technology, including 27 years in the insurance sector, Hutchings is set to lead the IT department’s administration, daily operations, and strategic planning.

“Marj is an exceptional technology leader whose vast experience and innovative mindset will be instrumental in driving our IT initiatives forward,” said Rob Darby, President and CEO of BHHC Workers Compensation. “Her extensive background in modernizing applications, data security, and cloud implementation aligns well with our strategic goals to enhance operational efficiency and deliver superior service and data security to our policyholders and agency partners.”

Before joining BHHC, Hutchings was CIO at State Fund, where she spearheaded a project to replace multiple independent systems with a unified software suite. Her expertise covers property and casualty claims systems, customer-facing web platforms, virtualization of production systems, and private cloud infrastructure implementation. She was also an original team member of Esurance, an Allstate company known for leveraging advanced technology to drive business strategy.

“We are excited to welcome Marj to our leadership team,” added Darby. “Her proven track record in technology management and her ability to lead complex projects make her an excellent fit for BHHC as we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities in the workers compensation insurance sector.”

Hutchings holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Northern Arizona University and is a Leadership Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

BHHC, a group of six insurance carriers part of the Berkshire Hathaway insurance group, is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. With over 50 years in business, BHHC has grown from a regional carrier to a national insurance group, writing a diverse range of policies across the United States. The group includes Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company, BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company, Continental Divide Insurance Company, Cypress Insurance Company, Oak River Insurance Company, and Redwood Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Ups Two Execs to Regional Leaders for Europe and the Middle East

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has announced two key appointments to its leadership team. Alessandro Cerase has been appointed as President & Head of Europe Region, while Neeraj Yadvendu has been named Head of Middle East.

Alessandro joined BHSI in 2018 as Senior Executive Officer for BHSI Middle East and has more than 25 years of experience in the global insurance industry. He led the launch of BHSI’s business in the region and was subsequently named Global Property Underwriter Officer for Construction & Energy in 2020. Alessandro will continue to be based in Dubai and report to Peter Eastwood, BHSI’s President and CEO.

Neeraj, who has over 26 years of global insurance industry experience, joined BHSI in 2018 as Deputy Senior Executive Officer and Head of Third Party Lines in the Middle East. He has been instrumental in BHSI’s growth in the region and will now also take on the role of Senior Executive Officer of the Dubai International Financial Centre Branch, subject to regulatory approval. Neeraj will continue to be based in Dubai and report to Marc Breuil, Head of Asia Middle East, BHSI.

BHSI has been steadily expanding its operations around the world and has experienced accelerated growth in its Europe and Middle East regions. The company’s President and CEO, Peter Eastwood, expressed confidence in the new appointments, saying, “We are excited to have Alessandro and Neeraj in these key leadership roles as we continue to strategically expand our presence in these important regions.”

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Names Three Claims Execs in Germany

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has announced that it has named three executives to claims leadership roles in Germany.

Sandra Leyendecker has been promoted to Head of Casualty Claims. She joined BHSI in 2022 as Senior Casualty Claims Examiner, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience to the role.

Ingo Lorber joins BHSI as Head of Property Claims. He has nearly 30 years of industry experience, most recently customizing claims handling for major claims at another global insurer.

Michael Brobach has been named Head of Executive & Professional Lines Claims. He comes to BHSI from another global insurer where he held increasingly senior positions managing financial lines claims for nearly 15 years.

“Sandra has been an invaluable asset to BHSI and our customers, embodying our CLAIMS IS OUR PRODUCT® philosophy to ensure excellent service to customers and brokers throughout the DACH region and around the globe. With the addition of Ingo and Michael, we have in place exceptional claims leaders who will further elevate our claims teams and the service and certainty we bring to customers,” said Andreas Krause, Head of DACH, BHSI.

All three leaders will be based in Cologne.

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.