People news: Preferred Mutual names Forstenzer general counsel People news: Preferred Mutual names Forstenzer general counsel

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. — Preferred Mutual Insurance Company announced that its board of directors has elected Andrew (Andy) Forstenzer as VP, general counsel, and corporate secretary.

In this expanded role, Forstenzer will be responsible for leading the company’s legal affairs, including government affairs, corporate governance, litigation management, and claims counsel.

“Since joining Preferred, Andy has demonstrated his wealth of business knowledge and applied great skill to the legal transactions and regulatory matters that span Preferred. I have full confidence in his ability to provide the direction needed to align all of Preferred’s legal accountabilities,” Christopher Taft, president and CEO of Preferred Mutual, said in a news release.

Prior to joining Preferred, Forstenzer was of counsel to the national law firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker. He also served as executive VP & general counsel for the Crump Group, a national insurance wholesaler, and as VP and senior litigation counsel for Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Forstenzer earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a juris doctor degree from Villanova University Law School, and a master’s degree in corporation law from New York University Law School.

Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, based in New Berlin, provides property and casualty insurance coverage to more than 232,000 individual and business customers through a network of more than 490 independent agents throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The insurer employs more than 290 people.

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Photo Credit: Preferred Mutual Insurance Company