Sure thing

Tony Papa has taken quite a big chance for someone who built a successful career protecting businesses against risk.

Papa, after more than 20 years with the Sarasota office of London-based Willis Group Holdings, a $3.65 billion global insurance firm, has left the security and comfort of a well-heeled mothership. Papa defected from Willis in August when he bought an $8 million book of business in commercial insurance underwriting premiums he and his wife, Tina Papa, had built up there. Clients are mostly in construction, manufacturing and nonprofits. Says Tony Papa: “We have written everything from the smallest of risk to the largest of risk management programs for all types of business.”

The Papas, along with Sarasota-Bradenton area insurance executive Jamie Wood, formerly a senior underwriter with Lakewood Ranch-based FCCI Insurance Group, have formed a new entity with that portfolio: Guy Hurley of Florida. The company is co-owned by the Papas and Troy, Mich.-based Guy Hurley Blaser & Heuer. That firm was founded in 2001 with two employees and has since grown to about $20 million in annual premiums and 30 employees.