Topa Insurance promotes Denise Pavlov to chief operating officer

Topa Insurance Group, a boutique property-casualty insurer, has promoted veteran insurance executive Denise Pavlov to the group’s senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Pavlov joined the company in April 2018 as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer, overseeing Topa’s underwriting, products, program development, marketing and human resources. Since 2018, Pavlov has made impacts in each of these departments, including restructuring the human resources department and most recently, introducing the new commercial package program, Topa Premier Commercial Insurance (TPCI).

“During my time on the Topa Insurance Group board, I have had the pleasure of watching Denise further the progress of Topa’s risk selection, rating and program selection,” said Michael Day, president and chief executive officer of Topa Insurance Group. “Denise has contributed immensely to improving Topa’s underwriting structure.”

Pavlov previously worked with Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance, GMAC Insurance, the California State Automobile Association, and Western United Insurance Company in roles including chief underwriting officer, senior vice president of underwriting and vice president of operations. Prior to joining Topa as CUO, Pavlov worked as a consultant for Topa in underwriting as well as in their new systems program.

“I look forward to this new role, and the continued growth and opportunity to lead and collaborate with our department heads,” Pavlov said. “I am especially excited to work with our talented claims team and I intend to utilise their talent to enhance our overall results. As we enter a new year, our company is focused on continuing to improve our results and efficiencies, and I look forward to working with our teams to accomplish just that.”

Pavlov has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry with an emphasis in commercial and personal lines underwriting and customer service.