Darien Resident Named VP of First Niagara Risk Management

First Niagara Financial Group (NASDAQ: FNFG) today announced the hiring of two new members of its Norwalk-based First Niagara Risk Management division (FNRM).

Lynn Horvath has been named Vice President of FNRM and Enrique Lopez has been named an Employee Benefits Consultant for First Niagara Benefits Consulting (FNBC), a division of FNRM.

Horvath will be responsible for managing First Niagara’s Commercial Lines Insurance Department within the New England and Tri-State market. Additionally, she will be leading the Key Account Practice for FNRM, a newly-created position aimed at providing sales, service and resource support and coordination for the firm’s approach to the management of key accounts and prospects.

Prior to joining First Niagara, Horvath served 29 years in various roles at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Mercy College and currently resides in Darien with her husband and twin sons.

Lopez will be responsible for the design and implementation of strategic employee benefits planning and consulting services. He will also specialize in advanced design and funding approaches for group plans, and assist with plan administration through comprehensive HR outsourcing services.

Prior to joining First Niagara, Lopez served as a field sales consultant for Patterson Dental, Abbott Medical Optics and Pfizer, Inc. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hartford and currently resides in Fairfield County with his wife.

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