By Josh Recamara
Chubb has announced a series of leadership changes across its US field organization, appointing new regional executive officers (REOs) for the Midwest and Southeast as long-time Midwest leader Kelley Kinsella prepares to retire after a four-decade career with the company.
Effective April 1, 2026, Chad Yarlagadda, currently REO for the Southeast Region, will become REO for the Midwest Region, succeeding Kinsella. In the Southeast, Ben Mortimer will step into Yarlagadda’s former role as REO.
The Midwest and Southeast are significant territories for Chubb’s US property-casualty book, covering a mix of middle-market and major accounts in manufacturing, construction, property, casualty and specialty lines. The company has been looking to deepen broker relationships and sharpen underwriting execution in these regions amid sustained competition from other global and national carriers.
As Midwest REO, Yarlagadda will be responsible for executing underwriting and sales strategies, overall management, production, profit and loss, and distribution management across 14 states. In the Southeast, Mortimer will assume similar responsibilities across seven states.
Yarlagadda joined Chubb in 2004 and has held roles in underwriting, marketing, branch management and distribution management. His move to the Midwest follows a stint leading the Southeast region through a period of growth across key client segments and product groups.
Mortimer has more than a decade of experience with Chubb, spanning accident and health, business development and large account distribution. He also brings prior experience as a broker in the Southeast, giving him a dual perspective on carrier–broker dynamics that Chubb is likely to draw on as it looks to deepen regional relationships and refine its go-to-market approach.
Both will report to Chris Maleno, senior vice president, Chubb Group, vice chairman, North America Insurance and division president, North America Field Operations.
In addition to the REO changes, Kevin Kraselsky, senior vice president and Atlanta branch manager, will take on expanded responsibilities. The Birmingham branch territory will report to him, and he will oversee distribution and production across Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, reporting to Mortimer.
Kraselsky has more than 25 years of experience in the Southeast market and is expected to rely on longstanding relationships with agents, brokers and clients as he takes on the broader geographic remit linking the Atlanta and Birmingham territories.
“With over 20 years in the industry, Chad’s broad experience and proven track record across key client segments and product groups has him poised to take on this new leadership role,” Maleno said. “Ben’s leadership and deep understanding of the Southeast market will also be invaluable as we continue to grow our business throughout that region. Chubb has a reputation for its deep leadership bench, and Chad, Ben and Kevin’s new roles demonstrate that strength.”
A tribute to Kinsella
Maleno also paid tribute to Kinsella, who has held a number of senior field roles over her career and has been a prominent figure in Chubb’s US operations.
[Kelley] has played many pivotal roles, including developing the Western Zone as property underwriting manager, building the Midwest Region into what it is today and shaping our overall field structure and culture," Maleno said. "We thank Kelley for her many contributions and wish her the very best in her retirement."
Kinsella’s retirement comes as Chubb continues to evolve its North America field structure, aligning regional leadership with growth priorities in major accounts, middle market and personal lines, and with an increased focus on underwriting consistency and distribution management across zones.
Chubb names new regional chiefs for Midwest and Southeast – Insurance Business
