AmWINS Group Inc. is relocating and expanding its North Texas office within Richardson. The wholesale insurance company has signed a lease for roughly 40,000 square feet at Tower 2600 at 2600 N. Central Expressway in Richardson, which expands the company's North Texas footprint by about 30%. This move will consolidate the company's three offices into the Richardson property.

AmWINS Group, Inc. announced that it has combined its various non-standard auto operating entities to create AmWINS Specialty Auto (ASA), a new operation within the AmWINS Underwriting Division. The combined entities include Newport General Agency (acquired in April 2010), American Southwest Insurance Managers, Excel General Agency, Statewide Claim Service and Oakwood Software Insurance Solutions (all acquired in February 2011). The combined operation will retain separate brand names within the Texas marketplace and leverage the new ASA brand as it expands outside Texas. AmWINS Specialty Auto will be comprised of four divisions: Claims: includes the in-house claims and staff appraisal departments and all third-party claims administration relationships; Operations: includes the underwriting, accounting and all third-party policy administration relationships, as well as Oakwood Software and its third-party relationships; Product Management and Risk Distribution: includes product design, actuarial and carrier/reinsurer relationships; and Sales and Marketing: includes marketing, sales, branding and agent relations. The combined firm will be led by Jim S. Whited, Chairman; David Scruggs, President; Debra Williams, Executive Vice President, Claims; Dennis DiCapua, Executive Vice President, Product Management and Chief Risk Officer; and Chuck McMillan, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Scruggs will also oversee the Operations Division.

AmWINS Group Inc. announced four hires. Brian Bartlett joined the brokerage as vice president. He has previously worked with Chartis, Turner Construction, Lockton Cos. and Marsh New York. Todd Fane joined WebTPA as vice president of sales. He comes to AmWINS from his role as director of IT at Truman Medical Center. Tom Martin also joined WebTPA as vice president and brings with him more than 20 years of experience in managed healthcare and insurance. Wayne Gutridge joined NEBCO and will lead the international benefits practice. Prior to AmWINS, Gutridge implemented successful programs for companies including Wells Fargo, Delta and the US Olympic committe.