People moves: novatae Group names Juergens as CFO. Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale insurance business of World Insurance Associates, announced that Walter Juergens has joined the company as its new chief financial officer. In this role, Juergens will be responsible for all aspects of the company's financial management,... FocusEfforts.com is A privacy by design organization. Focusefforts do not store information on users, as their privacy is its priority. As a result, Focusefforts is proud to be COPPA, FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR, WCAG, 508 and of course, ADA compliant. These strict standards ensure that every industry, including government & public sector, healthcare, IT & security, education, banking & financial, consumer & retail, hospitality and more, can benefit from providing their users with the most powerful suite of integrated accessibility solutions available.

Former DUAL North America M&A chief joins dallas-based Novatae as COO. Three years after World Insurance Associates consolidated its wholesale operations under a single modern brand - Novatae Risk Group - the Dallas-based firm is building on that momentum with a key executive hire. Novatae Risk Group COO Kimberly Jenkins [Photo: Novatae Risk Group] Veteran executive Kimberly Jenkins has joined Dallas-based Novatae Risk Group as its new chief operating officer, bringing more than 25 years of leadership in client service operations and strategic planning. In her new role, Jenkins will lead initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing systems, and elevating client service across the organization. She will also serve on the executive leadership teams of both Novatae and World Insurance Associates. "Taking business strategy and process improvement to the next level is an exciting undertaking," Jenkins said in a statement, "especially when the focus is to drive employee and client satisfaction." Launched in November 2022, Novatae was created to unify multiple acquired firms under one brand identity, aiming to modernize and reenergize the specialty insurance space. The company says its name, derived from the Latin novae terrae, or "new world", reflects its mission to make insurance more dynamic and client-focused. Today, Novatae operates as a full-service wholesale brokerage, underwriting manager, and Lloyd's Coverholder. It serves more than 6,000 clients from 37 offices across the U.S. and the U.K., working with over 500 markets and managing nearly 1 billion annual written premiums, per the company's website. "Kimberly possesses a strong passion for helping associates and clients thrive through excellence, innovation, and with a focus on high performance," Novatae President Nick Greggains said in a statement. Greggains cited her experience leading strategies that drive engagement, improve efficiency, and deliver better client outcomes. "We are delighted to have her join the team," he said. Jenkins most recently served as head of strategic planning at DUAL North America and was previously its chief M&A officer. She has also held operations leadership roles at Willis Towers Watson, Nielsen, and Hewitt Associates. Andrea Paris, COO of World Insurance Associates, said Jenkins' deep experience will help build out Novatae's infrastructure as the company continues to scale. Track Dallas-Fort Worth's business and innovation landscape with its curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday. R E A D N E X T. * Beyond Gaming: How Minecraft Became a Platform for Scientific Learning and AI Research UT Dallas researcher Dr. Walter Voit transformed Minecraft's 170-million-player universe into an advanced virtual training ground - for students and for AI agents tested by DARPA. His team's Polycraft World uses gameplay to turn classroom theory into real-world expertise, covering topics from synthetic organic chemistry to nuclear plants to semiconductor facilities. Their new startup company, Pedegree Studios, has licensed the core technologies from the university to create a scalable digital pipeline for education and workforce development. * Hospitality Tech Platform Craftable Taps Former Black Box Intelligence Chief as New CEO David Cantu joins Dallas-based Craftable to lead its next phase of growth. Craftable co-founder Samuel Zats will shift roles to focus on AI, product innovation, and long-term strategy as the company prepares a brand refresh. * HTeaO Taps New CFO and HR Chief to Power Next Phase of Growth Former execs from Salad and Go and Taco Bell join the Fort Worth-based iced-tea franchise as it eyes continued expansion. * DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas Adds 3 Leaders to C-Suite DHA said Sonya Barnette and David Storms are the new chief administrative officers, while Debra Roling is its new chief financial officer * Catalyst Brands Names New Wholesale Chief as Retail Strategy Evolves Michael Fernandez joins the Plano-based retail organization - formed in January through the mega-merger of JCPenney and SPARC Group - to lead commercial expansion and deepen brand partnerships across a portfolio that includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Lucky Brand, and more.

Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale business of leading insurance brokerage World Insurance Associates, announced that CEO Richard Kerr left the firm effective Aug. 22.