Distinguished Programs Adds Marine Cargo Program Led by Industry Veteran Ralph Salce

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Distinguished Programs (“Distinguished”), a national insurance program manager and MGA, has added a new Marine Cargo program led by industry veteran Ralph Salce. The program will provide comprehensive marine cargo solutions, including available coverage for global transit exposures, stock throughput, and specialized logistics risks. Underwriting is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

Under the direction of Distinguished’s executive leadership team—Bill Malloy, Jason Rotman and Steve Sitterly—the company continues to expand by recruiting experienced underwriting talent. Distinguished operates under a “support with autonomy” model, empowering teams to deliver strong underwriting performance for insurance carrier partners and competitive products for brokers.

“Expanding into Marine Cargo is a natural extension of our strategy to build specialty programs led by best-in-class talent,” said Steve Sitterly, COO and CUO at Distinguished. “Ralph and his team bring the experience and market credibility needed to make an immediate impact.”

Salce, who will serve as president of Distinguished’s Marine Cargo program, brings more than 30 years of experience in ocean marine operations, portfolio underwriting, and strategic planning. He previously led the Ocean Marine division at Tokio Marine America and has built a career focused on profitable growth, operational excellence and team development.

“The marine cargo market continues to evolve, and there is a clear need for experienced underwriting leadership,” Salce said. “We are intentionally building a program that combines proven expertise, strong relationships and a disciplined underwriting approach. Distinguished provides the platform and support to do that the right way.”

The Marine Cargo team brings more than 100 years of combined ocean marine underwriting and operational experience, positioning the program to deliver deep expertise and responsive service as it comes to market.

Joining Salce is Derek Gibbons, who brings more than 20 years of underwriting experience. In his previous role, Gibbons managed a portfolio of ocean cargo and inland marine business across the Northeast, with expertise in high-volume portfolio analysis and project management.

Ralph Santoro also joins the team, contributing more than 50 years of experience in ocean cargo management, marine insurance and risk management. His career includes roles at INA, AIU/AIMA (AIG), St. Paul, Allianz, Hanover, and Tokio Marine, as well as consulting work following his retirement in 2021.

John Murillo, with 18 years of ocean marine experience, adds a strong focus on customer service and relationship building. Murillo has developed deep broker relationships, particularly in South Florida, and is known for delivering underwriting stability, responsive service and collaborative partnerships.

Completing the group is Jose Schloessman, an ocean marine cargo production underwriter with more than a decade of experience serving the West Coast market. A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Schloessman brings hands-on port and terminal operations knowledge that strengthens his approach to maritime risk assessment.

The Marine Cargo program will complement Distinguished’s existing portfolio, which includes products for fine art and collectibles, environmental risks, real estate, community associations, hotels, surety, restaurants, executive lines and inland marine.

More information is available on the Distinguished Programs website.

About Distinguished Programs

Distinguished Programs is a leading national MGA and program manager for specialty property & casualty insurance. The company places insurance in niche sectors such as commercial real estate, hotels & restaurants, community associations, environmental & construction professional, cyber, surety, executive lines, inland marine and fine arts & collectibles. On behalf of its insurance carrier partners, Distinguished typically manages all aspects of the placement process, including product development, marketing, underwriting, policy issuance and claims. Through thoughtful innovation, stemming back to 1995, Distinguished Programs fosters growth and opportunities for its brokers, carriers, and employees. www.distinguished.com