(August 1, 2023) – CRC Group, one of North America's leading wholesale specialty insurance distributors, announced exciting changes coming to their Nashville, Tennessee office and Starwind Programs Division. As of August 1, Senior Vice President & Property Broker Farrah Schubmehl is taking on the role of office president with CRC Nashville. Schubmehl succeeds Jake Blackshear, Nashville office president since 2010, who will join Starwind to assist in developing a new Starwind Transportation brand.

Farrah Schubmehl

Schubmehl has been in the insurance industry for more than 24 years and has been an integral part of CRC Group since joining Swett & Crawford in 2012. Farrah is committed to empowering her team to grow its book of business through a partnership-based approach, helping CRC Group to expand in sustainable ways. Schubmehl was recently named CRC Group's 2022 Woman of the Year and a 2023 Insurance Business America Top Wholesale Specialist Broker. She will report to the co-president of brokerage, Brent Tredway, and work from the Nashville, TN location.

Tredway said, "Farrah has set herself apart as an exceptional team leader and a highly successful broker. I'm confident that under her leadership we will continue to build on the success of our Nashville office. Her dedication to excellence has earned Farrah the respect of her colleagues as well as the continued business of many clients that rely on her steady expertise in the face of marketplace changes."

Jake Blackshear

Starwind – CRC Group's Specialty Programs Division -- is working to develop a new Starwind Transportation brand, which will launch in 2024. Blackshear and his transportation team will join Starwind’s Transportation Specialty Underwriters, Allstar Transportation Specialists, American Team Managers, and 5Star Specialty Programs in forming the new Starwind Transportation brand. All individual and team contact information will remain the same, and more information will be released in 2024. Blackshear will report to the president of CRC Group's Starwind Programs Division, Brian Norman.

"Jake's transition to help build Starwind Transportation presents an exciting growth opportunity for both his team and Starwind. It will enable us to provide a more complete array of industry experience, insurance knowledge, and proprietary tools, including loss control and claim services, to agents specializing in transportation coverage. It delivers on our commitment to innovation and effective collaboration that makes us a valuable partner in the marketplace," said Norman.