Alea names Lusk to executive post

Alea Group Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., the specialty insurer and reinsurer headquartered in Hamilton, has announced changes in the company's executive management team. Kirk Lusk has been appointed group chief administrative officer and will oversee Group Human Resources, Information Technology, Claims, Marketing, and Risk Management/Audit.

Mr. Lusk was previously group senior vice president for strategic planning and corporate development and will retain responsibility for these functions in his new role. Prior to joining Alea, he was manager of finance for GE's Employers Reinsurance Corporation.

Gary C. Prestia has been appointed chief executive officer of Alea North America, the company's US reinsurance operation, based in Wilton, Connecticut.

Mr. Prestia has 20 years of broad underwriting and executive management experience, primarily in the reinsurance sector. He began his career at Republic Insurance in 1985 and over the following two decades held executive positions at St. Paul Reinsurance, Skandia America Reinsurance and Transatlantic Reinsurance. Most recently, he served as president of Converium Reinsurance (North America) from 2003 to 2004.

Former Sonesta manager wins award

A former manager of the South Shore hotel previously known as the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda has received the Massachusetts Lodging Association's (MLA) Outstanding General Manager of the Year award. John Murhta, currently vice president and general manager of the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston, won the award in the category for properties of 300 or more rooms.

Mr. Murtha was appointed to his current position in May 2000. He began his career with Sonesta in 1977, and was general manager of the Sonesta properties in Maine and Curacao in addition to Bermuda. Upon returning to Boston, he also assumed a position as adjunct instructor at the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration.

This is the eighth year of the MLA Stars of the Industry Awards Banquet. The winners from this event are sent on to the national American Hotel & Lodging Association for consideration.