Insurance group names new president and CEO

LAKEWOOD RANCH — FCCI Insurance Group named Christina "Cina" Welch the new president and CEO of the company. 

Welch began her career with FCCI in 1998 as an attorney in the legal department, according to a press release. She held progressively complex roles, including taking on the role of executive vice president, general counsel, and chief audit and compliance officer in 2018, the release adds. 

Welch's appointment comes after Lakewood Ranch-based FCCI terminated Craig Johnson as president and CEO of the firm and removed him from the board in mid-May for his role in an alleged battery on two Sarasota police officers during an incident at a Sarasota restaurant. 

“We are delighted to welcome Cina to her new role with FCCI,” says FCCI Chairman Jack Cox in a statement. “We were fortunate to have a number of exceptional internal candidates. We feel confident in our decision and look forward to what Cina’s leadership will bring to FCCI in the coming years.”     

Welch’s accomplishments, the release says, include developing FCCI’s Data Security Incident Response and Information Security programs; building an Enterprise Risk Management program; managing FCCI’s Business Continuity Management program, including the corporate COVID-19 response; and leading the company’s geographic expansion efforts.

“I am well aware that FCCI’s marketplace success is dependent on the success of our independent agencies and policyholders," says Welch in a statement. "Our focus will continue to be — as it has been for more than 60 years — helping our agents and policyholders be successful."

FCCI provides commercial property and casualty insurance coverage, services and commercial and contract surety through independent agents in 19 states and Washington, D.C. The company was established in 1959 and has $2.5 billion in assets. It posted $930.16 million in revenue in 2019.