Reynolds wrap

There are few things Doug Reynolds hasn't seen or done in insurance, from running a division at Allstate to overseeing the Southeast Asia market for industry giant AIG, based in Hong Kong.

Reynolds is now immersed in a task smaller in stature, but one with potentially more challenges. In January, Reynolds was named president and CEO of Lakewood Ranch-based Gulfstream Property and Casualty Insurance Co. The firm, founded in 2004, is at something of a crossroads: Premiums are up in four consecutive years, and have grown 56% since 2011, from $62.8 million to $131.4 million in 2014. Around 80% of the polices behind those revenues, says Reynolds, come from Florida.

Reynolds' main task is to diversify and expand Gulfstream's presence outside the Sunshine State. Gulfstream writes polices for homeowners, condo owners, apartment renters and dwelling fire insurance coverage, using a network of independent agents. With about 70,000 homes covered, the firm has a small segment of customers in Louisiana, Mississippi and entered Alabama and Texas last year.