News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group, today announced the appointment of Darren Small as Vice President and Underwriting Manager, National Custom Casualty Energy unit. In this position, Mr. Small will oversee, on a national basis, the unit’s traditional and renewable energy businesses, including underwriting and overall operations. Based in Chicago, IL, Mr. Small will report to Mitchell Schmidt, Senior Vice President and National Manager of ACE USA’s Custom Casualty unit.

With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Mr. Small most recently served as Vice President and National Energy Underwriting Manager for ACE USA’s Custom Casualty Renewable Energy Unit, a specialized unit that provides “one-stop shopping” with a coordinated package of ACE property and casualty products tailored to the needs of renewable energy companies. Mr. Small joined ACE in 2010, after having previously served as Assistant Vice President and Worldwide Bio-fuels Underwriting Manager for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. He also previously held various traditional and renewable energy underwriting and management positions with the Chubb Group in the United States and Canada.

In addition, ACE announces the planned retirement of John Moore, Vice President and Underwriting Manager, National Custom Casualty Energy unit, in May 2012. With a career spanning more than 40 years in the insurance industry, Mr. Moore joined ACE in 2006, and for the past six years, has been integral in the development, launch and growth of ACE’s traditional and renewable energy insurance platform.

“John and Darren have been instrumental in the ongoing development of ACE’s energy underwriting capabilities,” said Mr. Schmidt. “Darren’s extensive background in both traditional and renewable energy underwriting and management, as well as his leadership and expertise, will serve him well in guiding the continued success of the Custom Casualty Energy unit, and will enable us to continue to meet the unique needs of U.S.-based mid-sized and large energy clients.” Mr. Schmidt further added, “I would like to acknowledge John’s leadership and dedication in establishing ACE’s position as a market leader in the energy insurance arena. We wish John health and happiness in his retirement.”

ACE Custom Casualty, a unit of ACE USA, offers small start ups to large corporations one of the broadest multi-line product suites for energy risks, with solutions tailored for a diverse range of energy fields, including oil/gas operators and contractors, utilities and power generation, surface mining, as well as alternative and emerging renewable energy industries and technologies. Insurance is provided by ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA, or in some jurisdictions, other insurance companies in the ACE Group.

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group, and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and AA- (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at http://www.acegroup.com/us-en. The ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component of the S&P 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.