What’s new: In brief (December 19, 2004)

Crawford Adjusters Canada has named John Sharoun as COO, to lead all operating units of the firm and working with CEO Glenn Gibson on a new three-year strategy for the company. Sharoun has more than 30 years industry experience, starting his career with insurers including Hartford and Allstate, and then owning his own adjusting firm. That firm was later bought by Adjusters Canada, later becoming part of Crawford in 1998. Sharoun most recently served as senior vice president at Crawford.

B.C.-based Hub International TOS Ltd. has announced Tina Osen as its CEO, and Dave Mills as COO. Osen was previously president and COO of the brokerage operations, while Mills was vice president, property & casualty.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., parent of General Reinsurance (GenRe), has a famous new board member. Last week it was announced Microsoft founder Bill Gates would join the board as a director. Gates has bee a long-time shareholder in Berkshire Hathaway.