Leadership Committee

We're pleased to introduce your Interest Group leadership team!  Our group of insurance professionals span the industry in both knowledge and experience.  We are here to assist our members with education and support which is commonplace among those distinguished enough to be called a CPCU.

CHAIR FOR UIG & PLIG

Sue Snyder

CPCU, CLCS, PLCS

Contact: snyders1@nationwide.com

720.545.7357

Sue currently serves as a commercial lines consultant for Nationwide Insurance. Sue has worked for Nationwide for 27+ years in a variety of roles including training, underwriting, and management. Sue is a long-time volunteer with her local Colorado CPCU Chapter serving as the President, Vice President, Director of Operations and is currently assisting as the Treasurer. She is also a Rocky Mountain Insurance Association (RMIA) Board Member. Sue graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in organizational management and human resources.

 

VICE CHAIR FOR UIG & PLIG

Dar Beachy

CPCU®, CLU®, FLMI®

Contact: dar.beachy.mu3d@statefarm.com

309.299.4680

Dar is a Product Owner in Enterprise Technology at State Farm Insurance Companies and is based in Bloomington, Illinois. Prior to joining Enterprise Technology, Dar was an underwriting analyst in the Labs innovation department and an Underwriting Supervisor in State Farm’s Auto operations department where he also served as an underwriter in all functions within Auto. Dar has also spent time selling insurance, both in P&C and Life & Health. In addition to serving on the UIG committee, Dar is the Chair of the Careers in Insurance committee for the Central Illinois CPCU Local Chapter. Dar received his degree in Finance from Illinois State University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Ron S. Beiderman

CPCU

Contact: rbeiderman@iso.com

201.469.2573

Ron is the VP of Commercial Lines Coverage Products at ISO, a Verisk Analytics business. His primary responsibility is overseeing the R & D and implementation/ maintenance of all coverage-related products for ISO's Commercial Lines programs. Ron oversees ISO's emerging issues initiative and has represented ISO at several industry forums. Ron graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications and he achieved his CPCU designation in 2010.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; CHAPTER LIAISON

Lamont Boyd

CPCU

Contact: lamontboyd@fico.com

602.485.9858

Lamont Boyd is responsible for client and partnership opportunities that make use of FICO’s scoring products and services. Working with over 300 clients in the US and internationally, he speaks regularly to industry and consumer groups and is recognized as a leading expert in predictive analytics and decision management technologies. Prior to joining FICO in 1993, he served nearly 20 years in underwriting, product management and sales management with a major property and casualty insurer.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Mary Calmer

CPCU, AINS, AFIS

Contact: mary.calmer@cfins.com

515.446.5216

Mary is an Associate Underwriter on the commercial agribusiness team at Crum & Forster in Iowa. Prior to this, she worked in personal lines underwriting and personal auto pricing at Farm Bureau Financial Services. Mary is also involved in her local Iowa CPCU Chapter and currently serves as the Director of Member Activities. In addition to the CPCU, AINS, and AFIS designations, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from Northwest Missouri State University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; WEBMASTER

Kim Caravaglia

CPCU, CIC, API

Contact: Kimberly.Caravaglia@erieinsurance.com

814.449.3375

Kim is an Underwriting Consultant at Erie Insurance based in Erie, PA. Her current role focuses on underwriting quality and data analytics. Kim's prior insurance experience spans over 35 years where she worked in areas of policy processing, underwriting management and project management. In addition to the PLIG/UIG committee, Kim is a long time volunteer with her local chapter, Presque Isle, where she served as co-chair for Good Works, chair for Candidate Recruitment & Development, and is currently serving as a Webmaster and Director.          

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Melissa L. Castellano

CPCU, AU, AINS, AIS

Contact: melissa.castellano@chubb.com

503.956.7599

Melissa is a Commercial Middle Market Underwriter at Chubb with Underwriting Expertise in the Casualty Practice. She has 15+ years of experience in the Insurance Industry and 10+ years of experience as a Commercial Underwriter, holds the CPCU, AU, AINS, AIS professional designations and is currently working on her ARM professional designation. She is a Current Member, past two-term Secretary & past Board Member at Large of the Oregon Chapter. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Portland State University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Rick Cerrato

CPCU, APA, AAI, CRIS, CIPA

Contact: rc@smlcapitaladvisors.com

973.818.3614

Rick is Managing Director of Premium Audit for SML Capital Advisors, LLC, a premium audit and loss control company. He began his career in 1986, obtained his New Jersey P&C license in 1990 and held various personal lines and commercial lines position in insurance agencies before becoming a premium auditor in 2003. In the role as a premium auditor positions have included working directly for insurance carriers as well as for audit vendors. He is Vice President / President Elect of the New Jersey CPCU Chapter and Co-Vice President of the New Jersey Insurance Auditors Association. He is also pursuing an MBA in Insurance at Olivet College.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Keyson Dingle

MBA, CPCU, RPLU, ARe, AU-M, ARC, AIAF, AINS, AIS, P&C

Contact: keyson49@gmail.com

201.724.0977

Keyson is an Underwriter at Westchester, A Chubb Company. He has a B.S in Business Administration from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and has completed his MBA at Bloomsburg University. Keyson is passionate about education and knowledge. He made an industry leap from pro football to the Insurance Industry and considers himself an “insurance nerd”. He was selected as a Spokesperson at the 2019 Annual CPCU Society Meeting to share his insurance story. Keyson is also a member of the CPCU Society's Emerging Leaders Committee, CPCU’s Society Philadelphia Chapter Board Member, and CPCU Society’s 3IG Leadership Committee.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; PERSONAL LINES LEAD

Roger French

CPCU, ARM, AU, AIS

Contact: rgf2014x@gmail.com

Now enjoying retirement, Roger has held many roles in our industry: Und. Training manager at MAPFRE/Commerce Ins, sales for direct writers, sales, agency, and brokerage management to name few. Roger earned his CPCU in 1980 and served on the CPCU-Loman Education Foundation Board, Champions Advisory, and Personal Lines committees. He has led IIA and CPCU programs and was awarded IIA Course Leader of Distinction twice! He served on the Board of the Worcester County Ins. Institutes for 15 years, including President. Roger has served as President of the Western Massachusetts Chapter, as well as the Central Massachusetts Chapter, where he remains on the Board.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; IDEA COMMITTEE LIAISON; PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE LIAISON

Brian Grieff

CPCU, AIM, AIC, AIS

Contact: brian.grieff@usaa.com

757.897.0766

Brian has been in the insurance industry since 1984 and is currently a claims service manager at USAA. Brian served as President of the Tidewater Virginia Chapter of the CPCU Society in 2014. Along with the CPCU designation, Brian also holds the AIC, AIM, and AIS designations. Brian has a Bachelors in Political Science from Virginia Tech and a Master's of Science in Insurance Management from Boston University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; AWARDS RECOGNITION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Leah Heller

CPCU

Contact: lheller@capspecialty.com

747.222.7043

Leah currently serves as Director of Specialty Excess at Rockhill Ins., with experience in commercial underwriting and compliance which includes development of coverage forms, guidelines, training, & underwriting audits. She is President-Elect of CPCU Society Golden Gate Chapter and a liaison to the Publication Committee. Leah holds a MBA degree and the CPCU designation, and recently participated at the CPCU Annual Meeting as a panelist for the Sharing Economy seminar and co-authored a research paper entitled Risk Management Implications of the Sharing Economy.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; COMMERCIAL LINES LEAD

Andrew Hill

CPCU, AINs, AIS

Contact: Hill.andrewr@gmail.com

215.534.3261

Andrew is currently the BOP Underwriting Supervisor at Synchronosure. He has brought a new product to market focusing on the growing Gig based economy. He has a well-rounded background in insurance getting his start in claims and working in Audits & Inspections before going into Underwriting. Andrew has worked primarily on small business commercial lines with a specialty in Hospital & Liquor Liability. He has worked in product development focusing on repositioning products and improving the workflows associated with them.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Jenna Keesey

CPCU

Contact: jkeesey@cannasure.com

440.799.6599

Jenna has 10 years of experience in the commercial insurance industry. She began her career in operations, servicing hard to place accounts growing quickly into risk selection and product development for Contractors and Manufacturers. Prior to her current role, Jenna was a commercial lines underwriter for AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. where she expanded her industry knowledge through a generalist appetite. She is Senior Underwriter for Cannasure Insurance Services, specializing in placement of cannabis business for the company’s MGA Program. Jenna is immediate past president of the Cleveland Chapter. She graduated from The Ohio State University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

John R. Larisey

CPCU, ASLI, ARM, AAI, AIS, AINS, AIC, AMIM, AU

Contact: Jlarisey@CushendallConsult.com

805.402.6495

John, with 40 years of experience, runs a consulting firm specializing in Property and Inland Marine, and management consulting for insurance companies. He is a recognized expert in property policy wording and creative alternatives in insurance. His career includes working with carriers in underwriting and management. His experience includes a wide spectrum of industries and underwriting disciplines with emphasis on builders risk, energy, E&S, and large property accounts. John has an MBA from CLU and is licensed in California. He taught CPCU and other institute courses and has been a speaker on insurance topics. He is a member of the San Diego Chapter.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Shannon McHale

CPCU, AU, CRIS

Contact: shannon.k.mchale@emcins.com

617.821.9258

Shannon has been in the insurance industry for 17 years and is currently a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter at EMC Insurance.  She has her BA from Boston University and her MBA from Suffolk University.  When not underwriting, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family. 

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Tyson Mohr

CPCU, FSA, CLU, FLMI, CSPA

Contact: tyson.mohr.prm7@statefarm.com

Tyson is a Modeling Manager in the P&C Actuarial and Underwriting Modeling department at State Farm, specializing in Homeowners insurance modeling. He started with State Farm in 2007, where his career has taken him through the Life Actuarial, Life Policyholder Tax, Enterprise Risk Management, and P&C Underwriting departments. Tyson holds the FSA, CPCU, CSPA, CLU, and FLMI credentials. He has been a presenter and coordinator for the ERM Symposium. He has Bachelors’ degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy from Illinois State University.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE LIAISON

Sean Noonan

CPCU, AINs, AU-m, ARe, AIDA, ARM, AIT, AIAF, AIM

Contact: Sean.p.noonan@emcins.com

972.470.5237

Sean is currently a commercial lines underwriting supervisor at EMC Insurance in their Dallas Branch. He has been in the insurance industry since 2012. Sean has previously held the positions of Secretary, Webmaster, and President of the Chicago West Suburban CPCU chapter. Sean is a graduate from the University of Iowa and holds  B.B.A. in finance. He also received a certificate in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Iowa’s risk management program, the Vaughn Institute. Sean is on the young alumni board for the Vaughn Institute and is an active member of the Gamma Iota Sigma alumni network.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Brian O'Neill

CPCU, ARM, AIS, & AINS

Contact: brian.oneill@zurichna.com

Brian is Assistant Vice President for Zurich North America, providing leadership to the company’s Alternative Markets team. He has his CPCU, ARM, AIS, and AINS designations, along with nearly 25 years of underwriting experience. Brian has his master’s degree in Management from Baker University, as well as his bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Kansas. He is a member and the past Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Omaha chapter.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; WEBMASTER, SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Mike Povich

CPCU, AU, ASLI

Contact: mpovich7@gmail.com

484.919.4524

Mike has over 20 years P&C insurance industry experience as a multi-line commercial underwriter, which includes work with standard and specialty lines carriers. In his most recent role with Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., Mike successfully managed a $9-10 million 4-region multi-state underwriting territory, and was the sole underwriter that led the initial company expansion out West. Mike is active with his local Philadelphia CPCU Society Chapter, having served as treasurer, board member, and is currently head of the chapter's Communications Committee. Mike graduated from Villanova University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration/Finance.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Richard F. Walsh Jr.

CPCU, ANFI, SCLA, SBCS, AIS, CPIA, RWCS, CRIS, CLCS, PLCS, MSC

Contact: rwalsjunr@gmail.com

614.537.8441

Rick has 20+ years in our industry and is currently a Chapter Governor. He has specialized in corporate & agent training/education, continuing ed instructor, a corporate coach for Motorists, has a background in sales, service, claims, & personal lines. He’s actively involved with his Columbus Chapter, member of the Society Ethics Committee, & is on the Ohio Dominican University RIS Board of Advisors. Rick also writes personal lines articles, performs seminars, webinars, & is a faculty member of the National Alliance.

COMMITTEE MEMBER; PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE LIAISON

Laroux Whitman

CPCU, CIC, AU-M, AINS

Contact: LarouxWhitman@gmail.com

814.722.0907

Laroux is a senior middle market underwriter with Erie Insurance. She began her career working in an agency, but developed a passion for underwriting and transitioned to the company side in 2013. Laroux has a BA in Communications from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and is currently an MBA candidate at Olivet College. She currently manages the social media for the Presque Isle chapter and represents the UIG on the Insights Publication Committee.

INTEREST GROUP GOVERNOR

Stephanie Wells

CPCU, MPA, MBA

Contact: wells2@nationwide.com

515.508.2908

Stephanie has years of experience in the P&C industry including underwriting, compliance, and product management. She is currently an associate product manager with Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines, IA. She is active in her Iowa Chapter and is past-Chair of the Personal Lines Interest Group. She previously served as an adjunct instructor of insurance at Drake University.  In addition to the CPCU designation, she holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Iowa and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Policy from Drake.