Ryan Specialty, a specialty insurance company providing distribution, underwriting, product development and risk management services, announced leadership promotions for its underwriting management division, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM).
The changes apply to Velocity Risk Underwriters, a technology-enabled managed general underwriter focused on complex commercial real estate catastrophe risks.
The company has confirmed that Paul Carnegie has been appointed president and Whitney Alt has been appointed chief distribution officer, both positions effective May 1, 2026.
As President, Carnegie will be responsible for overseeing Velocity Risk’s operational performance, with a particular focus on its core priorities of scale, expertise and service. He will guide the execution of the company’s strategy and support its continued position in the specialty property and casualty insurance space.
Whitney Alt will oversee distribution strategy for the broader Velocity Risk team, including WKFC underwriting managers, WKFC Specialty and AgRisk underwriters.
Miles Wuller, CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers, commented: “Paul’s leadership style is grounded in accountability, collaboration and a relentless focus on results, making him a perfect fit for this role. He leads by example, brings clarity to complex decisions and continually raises performance standards across the organization. Whitney’s promotion reflects her significant contribution to Velocity Risk’s success and our continued commitment to building a team capable of expanding the business and strengthening Velocity leadership team as the market leader in specialty property insurance.”
Jake Rothfuss, CEO of Velocity Risk, WKFC and AgRisk, said: “Paul has excelled in his role as Velocity’s chief underwriting officer, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, deep technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to our clients, broker trading partners and capital providers. He has had a significant impact on Velocity’s underwriting performance, market positioning and team development.”
Carnegie added, “It is an incredibly proud moment to become president of Velocity. Our success is driven by an outstanding team whose discipline, expertise and commitment to excellence enable us to consistently excel in even the most challenging markets. The world around us is changing rapidly, creating complexity and opportunity. Success will come to those who embrace change, adapt quickly and have faith. I am excited and honored to lead Velocity into its next chapter and remain confident in what we can achieve together.”
Rothfuss further added, “Whitney’s role as Chief Distribution Officer is critical to our continued success. We view distribution management as a core competitive advantage and a key focus area for our future business. In her role as Vice President of Distribution, Whitney has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, deep market connections and a relentless focus on creating value for our broker trade partners. She has played a key role in expanding Velocity’s distribution footprint and strengthening key relationships across the market.”
