Ace Westchester said it has named Bruce Kessler president. Based in Atlanta, he will oversee all operations for Ace Westchester's specialty property/casualty, environmental, professional liability and inland marine insurance products.

Kessler succeeds Dennis Crosby, who is joining OneBeacon as president of the company's newest business, OneBeacon Excess and Surplus Lines (BestWire, July 30, 2010). Crosby was president and chief executive officer of Ace Westchester and chairman of Ace Commercial Risk Services.

Kessler has more than 28 years of industry experience, and most recently served as president of Ace Westchester Casualty and Specialty Lines. He had held the positions of executive vice president and chief underwriting officer of insurance-North America, and senior vice president, global reinsurance, at Ace Tempest Re USA, the company's Stamford, Conn.-based reinsurance company. Prior to time at Ace, Kessler held many senior underwriting positions with reinsurance companies, including American-Re Insurance Co., NAC Reinsurance Co. and General Reinsurance Co.

Most members of Ace Group have current Best's Financial Strength Ratings of A+ (Superior).

(By Caroline Saucer, editor, BestWeek: Caroline.Saucer@ambest.com)