LOS ANGELES — American Global has officially expanded to the West Coast with the appointment of Christine Philips as President of California, marking a key step in its national growth strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Philips will spearhead the firm’s newest office, its 12th in the U.S. and 16th globally, to further serve the construction industry with specialized insurance and surety services.
In her new role, Christine will oversee strategic direction and day-to-day operations for the California office, working closely with American Global’s executive leadership. Her mission is to grow the firm’s presence in the region, strengthen client relationships, and align the team with American Global’s culture of high performance and collaboration.
"I'm thrilled to be starting something meaningful right here in my hometown—working alongside my fellow risk management professionals and collaborating with the exceptional team at AG,” Philips said. “Together, we're building something great, and I couldn't be more excited about the journey ahead."
Philips brings more than 25 years of experience in construction and commercial insurance. Most recently, she served as a casualty executive at a global brokerage, where she led strategic insurance programs and collaborated across departments to enhance client outcomes. Prior to that, she built the in-house Risk Management department at Bernards Bros Inc., a California-based general contractor, where she led captive management, insurance budgeting, and corporate claims oversight.
David Marino, American Global’s COO & Group President, praised the appointment: “We are excited to have Christine join our team. Her depth of construction knowledge and proven leadership skills make her the perfect choice to build and lead our first West Coast office. Her commitment to excellence will ensure that American Global is well represented in the California markets as well as the construction community at large.”
Chairman & CEO Michael Marino added, “A strong California presence has been part of the plan for American Global since our inception, and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition. Christine is a proven leader who shares our values and vision for the future. With Christine at the helm, I am confident our California operations will continue to enhance our service offerings to clients, partners, and colleagues.”
Philips studied Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at California State University, Northridge. She holds licenses in Property, Casualty, Life, and Health Insurance, and has earned the Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation. She also previously served on the Advisory Board for the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) and holds a Competent Communicator Certificate from Toastmasters International.
Christine’s appointment reflects a broader trend in the insurance and construction industries: a demand for localized expertise combined with global capability. Her deep understanding of California’s construction risk environment makes her an ideal leader for expanding American Global’s impact on the West Coast.
The Los Angeles office is positioned to support contractors, owners, and developers across California’s highly active construction markets—ranging from infrastructure and commercial to high-density housing and public-private partnerships. With American Global’s coast-to-coast capabilities, clients in California can now tap into a wider national and international network of risk professionals and resources.
The firm’s move into California also signals confidence in the state’s construction outlook despite challenges such as regulatory hurdles, supply chain delays, and insurance market tightening. American Global’s long-term investment in local leadership underlines its belief that proactive, specialized risk management remains critical for project success in the region.
Originally reported by American Global in Construction Dive.