New Appointments: Syndicate Claim, HomeCare Connect, UK P&I Club

Syndicate Claim Services, a private claims adjustment company headquartered in Indianapolis, has appointed Sarah Nelms as the chief financial and strategic operations officer.

Nelms has a Masters’ in Business Administration degree from Colorado Technical University, the company said. She is a Certified Technology Business Management Executive and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, although currently inactive.

Nelmis previously was chief administrative officer and chief financial officer at the Kinney Group, an Indianapolis-based technology firm, where she was responsible for all corporate activities for the company, leading finance, accounting, legal, human resources and administration and facilities, the company said.

Prior to that, Nelms has served in several senior level and executive roles in numerous industries, including insurance, technology, media, healthcare and hospitality, and has succeeded in propelling her executive career forward while transforming each organizational pillar that remained, Syndicate Claim Services said.

HomeCare Connect, a Winter Park, Florida-based firm that manages home health services in the workers’ compensation industry, has hired Michelle Nickcola Wallace as complex care transition manager.

Wallace ensures that seriously injured workers receive appropriate home modifications and durable medical equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner, the company said in a press release.

For the past 12 years, Wallace has held positions with complex care companies in group health and workers’ compensation, most recently as a specialist in home modification and catastrophic/complex care for Orchid Medical. Earlier, she served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, where she attained the rank of staff sergeant.

Wallace holds a Master of Science degree in organizational leadership from Medaille College in Buffalo, New York, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. In addition, she is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs), a designation program that teaches the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to modifying homes for disabled and/or aging populations.

The UK P&I Club, a leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance and other services to the international shipping community, has appointed Thomas Rittweger as a senior claims director in its Jersey City, New Jersey office.

Rittweger was previously a partner with the Hill Betts and Nash law firm in New York City. His new role will focus on the management of large claims in North and South America as well providing advice and assisting claims handlers.

Thomas has extensive trial experience defending shipowners, marinas and other companies against a range of claims, the carrier said. These include maritime casualty, salvage, and insurance coverage disputes.

Originally a member of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Thomas has an extensive history in the marine sector. As a marine and nuclear engineer, he has built, tested and sailed on board U.S. Navy submarines.

UK P&I Club is a maritime industry risk pool managed by Thomas Miller, an independent insurance and investment services provider.