Lockton to merge Midwest operations

Lockton Cos. L.L.C. is merging its St. Louis and Chicago operations to form a new Midwest practice, effective Tuesday, the Kansas City, Missouri-based brokerage said Monday.

There will be no layoffs associated with the merger, said a company spokesman. “This is a growth effort, not a cost-reduction effort,” said the spokesman.

The merger will bring together 460 professionals, the company said in statement.

The spokesman also said the Midwest operation will have no official headquarters, and top officials will be based in both Chicago and St. Louis.

Thomas Schaffler, who will be CEO of Lockton Midwest, will be based in Chicago, as will Casey Warnecke, chief growth officer of Lockton Midwest.

Officials that will be based in St. Louis are: Kevin McDaniel, president of Midwest expansion; Michael Todorovich, president of Lockton St. Louis; and Peter Cain, Lockton Midwest’s chief operating officer.

The broker said in its statement that the combined entity also includes offices in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, and Milwaukee, and that the company plans to expand its footprint into new markets including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pittsburgh.