Burnham Benefits, a downtown-based employee benefits and insurance services firm, has brought on John Huttinger as Executive Vice President and Partner of its new property and casualty division — Burnham Risk.

The new division was created last month following Burnahm’s acquisition of Pacific United SeaTech, a full service insurance brokerage based in Lawndale. Huttinger is the former President of Pacific United and an industry veteran with more than 25 years in insurance. He joined first joined Pacific United in 1997 and became the company’s president in 2013.

Prior to acquiring Pacific United, Burnham had focused specifically on benefits. The company intends to use use Pacific United SeaTech’s expertise and industry relationships to build a new client base in the property and casualty insurance space.

As executive vice president, Huttinger will oversee business development, risk management strategy, cross-selling and recruitment for Burnham Risk.

“When I chose Burnham, there were two things that stood out to me – the focus on the clients and the ability for current clients to get the expertise and support services from Burnham Benefits,” Huttinger said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to expanding the high level of quality and expertise from Burnham Benefits to Burnham Risk for the property and casualty market.”

Banking and finance reporter James B. Cutchin can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8332. Follow him on Twitter @jamesbcutchin.