EPIC Names New Principal in San Francisco Office

EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center), a retail property, casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage, has appointed Joe Vineis as Principal in its San Francisco Office.

Vineis brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance brokerage business, specializing in the risk management and insurance needs of retail clients, the group noted in a release.

Vineis's responsibilities at EPIC will include acquiring new retail clients, managing the development of their risk management and insurance programs and further building and leading EPIC's Retail Practice.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome an industry leader of Joe's caliber to our firm," said EPIC Co-founder John Hahn. "His experience and reputation for excellence in the retail sector nationally make him an outstanding addition to our growing operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California."

Prior to joining EPIC Vineis spent almost 17 years with broker Willis and HRH - a national broker acquired by Willis in 2008 - where he was most recently Senior Vice President and Director of their Retail Practice, based in New York City. He began his insurance career with broker Frenkel & Company, also in New York.

The group noted that Vineis is recognized in the risk management community for his consultative, client focused approach and he has been recognized as a retail / wholesale "Power Broker" by Risk & Insurance Magazine every year since the award was established in 2006.

Vineis, according to one client, is not just a broker--he is the quintessential advocate for his clients. "Joe understands his clients," said the risk manager of a national retailing chain that includes several different brands. "He makes sure (our stores) are well represented, and that's what I appreciate. He really stands up for the customer."