Capstone president to step down; head of operations appointed as successor

Capstone Associated Services has appointed Jeff Carlson as its head of operations, who will go onto become the firm's president as Charles Earls, the founding president, will step down after 20 years.

Carlson has over 25 years of insurance management experience in property and casualty, life, and health. He has previously served for 20 years at American International Group (AIG) and its American General subsidiary, where he led operations and IT teams.

As head of AIG Life and Accident & Health operations, Carlson also managed large, cross-functional business operations teams in multiple locations in the US, the Philippines and India.

Based in Capstone's Houston headquarters in Texas, Carlson will oversee Capstone's operations, which covers the design, formation and management of captives.

“Jeff’s decades-long, broad-based experience in insurance operations, process improvement, and IT systems strengthens Capstone’s nationally-recognized standing in alternative risk planning,” said Stewart Feldman, CEO and general counsel of Capstone. “Jeff’s work on the operations side of our business will ensure that clients are fully supported in their captive planning initiatives, including insurance, underwriting, claims administration, tax and domicile compliance, especially given the many levels of captives’ regulatory oversight.”

Carlson commented: “Instead of providing a solely administrative or clerical function commonly seen throughout the captive insurance industry, Capstone provides a true turnkey captive solution which has withstood more than 55 federal tax examinations, in collaboration with The Feldman Law Firm LLP. From the initial captive feasibility study, through to the ongoing management of the captive, Capstone works to ensure that regulatory and tax requirements are met. I’m honoured to build on Chuck Earls’ leadership over these last 20 years.”

Feldman added: “With the addition of Jeff Carlson, Capstone will continue its focus on supporting closely-held, mid-market clients throughout the US from our five offices. Jeff’s expertise enables Capstone to improve its day-to-day operations with an eye towards accelerating growth, while delivering an ever-improving alternative risk management program. Chuck Earls’ efforts built Capstone to its present high level of success, with Jeff being a fitting successor to continue Team Capstone along the upward trajectory set by Chuck.”

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