Underwriting Facility Forms in Kennesaw

Breckenridge Insurance Group announced Monday the opening of an underwriting facility in Kennesaw and the expansion of its commercial property operations.

According to a press release, the specialty underwriting manager, wholesale broker and insurance services company has formed Blue River Underwriters, which will manage and underwrite the Breckenridge portfolio of specialty program business.

The facility will be housed in its Kennesaw headquarters, although the company will continue to operate underwriting centers in Fresno, St. Louis and Las Vegas.

The company also announced the hiring of Michael Marks as chief property underwriting officer and Jared Mathis as vice president. Both will be based in Kennesaw.

"Blue River will enable Breckenridge to accelerate its growth in the program business sector especially with the expertise in the commercial property markets that Michael and Jared bring to our organization," said Rick Parsons, senior vice president of Breckenridge Insurance Group.

Breckenridge currently markets 10 insurance programs in specialty markets to retail insurance agents and brokers. With the formation of Blue River, the company will roll out additional programs throughout 2012, said the release.