Lockton Insurance Brokers Names Las Vegas-Based Risk Managers To New Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockton, the world's largest privately held insurance broker, announced today that Veronica Fuentes and Svenja Dahlstrom, two Las Vegas-based risk professionals, have joined the company's Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice, a new specialty practice recently launched as part of Lockton's Pacific Operations last month.

"We are thrilled to augment our team with such talented professionals as Veronica and Svenja who, as former risk managers at major Las Vegas strip properties, know firsthand the inherent risks our clients face on a day-to-day basis," says Lenny Fodemski, Chief Operating Officer of Lockton's Pacific Operations. "We believe their perspective and level of understanding will be an invaluable asset not found at other brokerages."

Veronica Fuentes joins Lockton's Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice as Account Executive, responsible for developing, placing and expanding business within the gaming and hospitality industries. Fuentes brings firsthand knowledge and expertise from her extensive experience in the Las Vegas market, which includes her most recent position as Risk and Safety Director for the M Resort Spa Casino. She specializes in risk management, safety training, workers' compensation claims, event planning, and legal document review. Veronica has been successful at developing risk and safety cultures throughout gaming organizations, resulting in lower property claims and overall increased revenue. In fact, she was recognized by an insurer for maintaining some of the industry's lowest workers' compensation claims while at the M Resort Spa Casino.

Svenja Dahlstrom joins Lockton's new specialty practice as Account Manager after serving as Risk Manager for the Tropicana Las Vegas. Throughout her career at the Tropicana, she managed loss control, workers' compensation, and litigation claims and was responsible for all insurance renewals. She also held leadership positions with the resort's safety committee and facilitated programs for departments requiring specialized safety training. Dahlstrom will be responsible for advising Lockton clients on risk management strategies, developing and deepening relationships with underwriters, as well as developing new business opportunities.

"Our reach into the Las Vegas market to acquire risk specialists who are deeply rooted in the industry demonstrates Lockton's commitment to our gaming, entertainment and sports clients," explains Jared Mitilier, Senior Vice President, Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice. "Veronica's training as a paralegal allows her to provide extensive hands-on experience drafting, modifying, and reviewing legal contracts for major events, concerts, and promotions. This service will be an indispensable resource for Lockton clients who would otherwise be required to hire specialized legal counsel."

Lockton's Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice provides a wide range of risk management solutions to clients, including property and casualty, workers' compensation, management liability, employee benefits, and specialty risks. Additional services the practice will focus on include policy analysis, legal review, loss control and safety, and claims advocacy. Such expertise will assist clients in identifying their emerging perils while significantly lowering their total cost of risk.

About Lockton

More than 5,000 professionals at Lockton provide 35,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, and employee benefits consulting services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. Independent researcher Greenwich Associates has awarded Lockton its Service Excellence Award for risk management for large companies. For five consecutive years, Business Insurance has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance."

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090415/CG99351LOGO

SOURCE Lockton