Zurich North America names executives for 2 new distribution regions
Zurich North America has expanded its distribution structure by adding two new regions and promoting experienced leaders to enhance broker and customer engagement. Jana Maddox has been appointed as the South Central Regional Executive, while Ben Forster takes on the role of East Regional Executive. These appointments underscore Zurich’s commitment to being closer and more accessible to its brokers and customers, ensuring a better understanding of growth opportunities and unique regional needs.
Both Maddox and Forster will report to Carl Sutter, Head of Distribution & Regional Management for Zurich North America, and will have matrixed reporting responsibilities across all business and support units in their regions. They will oversee teams of Territory Leaders who focus on developing new distribution sources, strengthening existing relationships, and representing Zurich to its partners and customers across all business lines.
Andy Peterson and Jason Sauer will continue as Regional Executives for the New York Metro and Southeast regions, respectively, while Marilyn Boss and Gerald Chiddick will remain in their roles as Regional Executives for the West and Midwest regions.
Maddox, who joined Zurich in 2018, has held multiple leadership roles, including Head of Operations for Customer Relationship Management and Senior Global Relationship Leader. She brings 18 years of insurance experience, having started as a commercial underwriter at The Hartford and later serving as Vice President of Sales at Travelers Insurance. She is based in Dallas.
Forster, who joined Zurich in 2016, has served in roles such as Mid-Atlantic Large Property Area Manager and Global Relationship Leader for the East Region. With 12 years of experience, he started his career as an Account Executive at Travelers Insurance. Forster holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and is based in Philadelphia.
These promotions reflect Zurich North America’s strategic focus on strengthening its regional management and distribution strategies under Maddox and Forster’s leadership.
