, /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: AJG) today announced a leadership transition in its U.S. Wholesale Brokerage Business.

After an impressive career, Chairman of (RPS) has decided to step away from his daily responsibilities. He will be taking on a new role with Gallagher as a special advisor, providing strategic guidance to the company's growing wholesale and retail operations.

In his place, , current President of RPS, will join the Gallagher Executive Management Committee reporting directly to , Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cavaness will continue to provide day-to-day leadership for the business unit.

'Since Dave joined Gallagher in 1978 as an account executive, he has significantly contributed to our company's growth. I am thankful for Dave's vision, leadership and years of service, and delighted that he will continue to share his invaluable perspectives with our company as a special advisor leveraging his substantial expertise.

'During the past two decades, Dave has been on the front lines of our company's efforts to build a world-class wholesale brokerage operation as one of the co-founders of Risk Placement Services with . Since its inception in 1997, RPS has grown to become a leading specialty insurance wholesaler and one of the largest Managing General Agents/Underwriting Managers in ,' said .

Gallagher added, 'Dave's strong partnership with Joel over the past two decades ensures solid continuity for RPS. Joel is a respected business leader who has spent significant time in the trenches and knows what's needed to support our expanding business interests and relationships. His commitment to business and people development and high professional standards will continue to serve Gallagher's customers and partners well for years to come.'

, an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Itasca, , has operations in 31 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Corporate Vice President, and Chairman,

Dave joined Gallagher in 1978 as an Account Executive, moving up the leadership ranks from Unit Sales Manager, to Divisional Executive Vice President, to Divisional Chairman.

He was named a Corporate Vice President of in 1994 and served on Gallagher's Board of Directors from 1993 until 2001.

He is currently Chairman of Risk Placement Services, Gallagher's U.S. Wholesale Brokerage operations, which he was instrumental in forming in 1997.

Since 1996, Dave has served on the Board of Directors of the (CIAB), and was elected Chairman of its Board in .

He began his career in the insurance industry in 1976 as a management trainee for .

Dave holds a Bachelor's of Science in Finance from the .

President of and Corporate Vice President of

As President of Risk Placement Services (RPS), Joel heads up one of the nation's largest Managing General Agents and fastest-growing Property & Casualty wholesalers. As President, Joel leads more than 1,300 RPS employees in more than 30 states.

Under his guidance, the company has grown with an emphasis on innovative program design, commitment to long-term relationships and high professional standards. In 2014 and 2015 alone, RPS acquired nine companies, including Monument, , and American Wholesalers Underwriting.

After graduating from with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, Joel spent three years working as a casualty underwriter for standard and excess/surplus carriers.

In 1986, Joel joined in as a marketing representative, working his way up to Area Vice President by 1990. In 1996, he moved to as President of

In 1997, he was named President of RPS and in 2000 he was appointed a Corporate Vice President of Gallagher.

Joel is very active in the (NAPSLO), having served on the Board of Directors since 2010. He holds both Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.

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Arthur J.Gallagher & Co. issued this content on 01 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 01 February 2016 19:13:05 UTC

Original Document: http://investor.ajg.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=104111&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2134250