Western National Insurance Group Announces Officer Promotions of Bain, Hewitt, Norman, Rolfing

MINNEAPOLIS, June 28 -- Western National Insurance Group, a property and casualty insurance company, issued the following news release:

Western National Insurance Group (WNIG) today announced that it has promoted Mara Bain, Mark Hewitt, and Steve Norman all to the position of Vice President (from Assistant Vice President) in their respective departments, and Tim Rolfing to the position of Assistance Vice President (from Director), effective immediately.

Mara Bain, now Vice President - Chief Customer Experience Officer, joined Western National as Controller in 2012 after several years of experience with Great Northwest Insurance Company, Austin Mutual Insurance Company, and in the public accounting industry. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mark Hewitt, now Vice President of Surety - Western Region, joined Western National in 2012 with over 20 years of surety experience. Prior to joining Western National, Mark was the Director of Surety Underwriting at Contractors Bonding & Insurance Company / RLI, and before that he held underwriting roles in the surety industry. Mark earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from Gonzaga University, in addition to having earned the CPCU, AFSB, and AIM designations.

Steve Norman, now Vice President - Communications, joined Western National in 2005. He has served in successive positions of responsibility for the group's corporate communications, branding, and design activities. Norman earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Minnesota and is designated as a CPCU and AIT by The Institutes.

Tim Rolfing, now Assistant Vice President - IT, joined Western National in 2016 as Director of Projects and Planning. He has over 20 years of experience in project/program management, IT risk management, and applications delivery. Rolfing earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and an M.B.A. from Marquette University, in addition to holding the CPCU and PMP designations.

"Mara, Mark, Steve, and Tim have all proven themselves to outstanding leaders in the service of our customers, business partners, and internal stakeholders," said Stuart Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to recognize their contributions with these promotions, and we look forward to utilizing their talents and expertise to continue both growing our business and enhancing our customer experience in the days ahead."

Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies providing personal and commercial coverage in 20 states across the Midwestern and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 32 states. The Group writes over $631 million in Direct Premium through eight active insurance companies--Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Western National Assurance Company, Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company, Western Home Insurance Company, Arizona Auto Insurance Company, Umialik Insurance Company, American Freedom Insurance Company, and Nevada General Insurance Company--and through one affiliate, Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. All of the Group's products are sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.