Insurance firm hires a top executive

TAMPA — HCI Group Inc., with a subsidiary that's the largest property and casualty insurer in Florida, has named Mark Harmsworth senior vice president of finance.

Harmsworth brings more than three decades of finance experience to HCI. Most recently, the certified public accountant was president of JMH Consultancy Group, where he was chief strategy officer advising Stewart Information Services, a real estate services firm based in New York.

Previously, he was chief financial officer at First American Title Insurance Co., senior executive vice president at First Canadian Title Insurance Co. and executive vice president of Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc., an affiliate of the American residential real estate brokerage chain.

“Mark's comprehensive experience and effective leadership in the financial services, real estate and technology industries make him an outstanding fit for HCI's diverse business enterprises,” says Paresh Patel, an HCI founder who is the company's chairman and CEO.

“He will be a strong complement to our current finance department as we continue to execute on our company's long-term strategic and financial goals,” Patel adds.

Tampa-based HCI offers homeowners' insurance and reinsurance, and its Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co. Inc. is the state's leading provider of property and casualty insurance.