Changes At The Top For Valent

Kurt Close is the new president of Valent Group, an EBSCO company with a branch in Mobile, Business Alabama reports. Close was most recently chief operating officer for the company, which provides business insurance, employer benefits and personal insurance services. Prior to that, he spent nearly 30 years at The Travelers Cos. Close is a graduate of Samford University, where he played four years of college basketball and earned a degree in mathematics and business. He succeeds Paul Barber, who the source said “successfully positioned the agency for long-term growth and success.” Barber will be moving into a new role at Valent as market development advisor. He is tasked with representing the agency in the business community and networking with organizational leaders.