W. R. Berkley Corporation Announces the Appointment of Kenneth J. Berger as President of Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers LLC's Environmental Division

Released : 12/18/2009

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today announced that Kenneth J. Berger has been named president of the environmental division of Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers LLC. Mr. Berger, who will be based in New York, will be responsible for expanding Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers' already successful environmental underwriting operation. The appointment is effective immediately.

Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers is an underwriting management company providing excess and surplus lines general liability coverage to the wholesale market and a complete portfolio of commercial property casualty insurance products to the entertainment, sports and environmental industries. Its environmental division offers an array of coverages for virtually all classes traditionally known to have environmental liability exposures on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. The appointment of Mr. Berger represents a commitment to increase Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers' presence in the environmental space.

Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers underwrites on behalf of Nautilus Insurance Company and Great Divide Insurance Company, member companies of W. R. Berkley Corporation, both of which have an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Excellent) and a Financial Size Category of X (adjusted policyholders' surplus of $500 million to $750 million).

William R. Berkley, the Company's chairman of the board and chief executive officer, said: "We expect the addition of Ken's expertise will allow us to substantially increase our presence in the environmental area."

Mr. Berger has over 24 years experience in the insurance industry and has served as a senior executive for several of the leading underwriters of environmental and specialty insurance. He earned a degree in Geology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

For further information about the products and services available from the environmental division of Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers, please contact Ken Berger at [email protected] or (404) 443-2025.

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance and international.

    Source: W. R. Berkley Corporation