Insurance Agency Expert Witness

Expert Witness No. 335

California

Qualifications Summary

Nearly forty years of solid, professional experience in large risk underwriting, reinsurance and brokerage has been augmented by senior insurance management positions.  He has been an underwriting officer for three insurers and has headed-up three surplus lines brokerage offices.  High hazard liability exposures in the unique field of Excess & Surplus Lines has been his field of expertise in both underwriting and brokering and this has necessitated extensive knowledge of coverages, wordings and intents.  He has had an understanding of, and a profound respect for, the norms, practices and ethics of the insurance industry throughout his long career.

Professional History

1986 – 1996, NAS Ltd.  Chicago, IL, President & CEO

An excess & surplus lines brokerage firm with two branch offices, operating nationally and specializing in major industrial, commercial and professional liability accounts.  Arranged a semi-automatic reinsurance facility for Umbrellas.  Primary and excess coverages placed with domestic excess & surplus lines carriers and with Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London.  Retired to Southern California.

1982 – 1986, Montgomery & Collins (CIGNA), Vice President & Manager - Chicago

Took this CIGNA-owned excess & surplus lines brokerage firm from a small, profitless, fledgling office to a major center of the M&C fleet.  Managing General Agent for Pacific Employers Insurance Company, underwriting and arranging reinsurance.  US and London markets utilized.  General liability including Products-Completed Operations, hospital malpractice and professional liability as well as Umbrellas and various Property coverages were arranged.

1980 – 1982, Falcon Insurance Company (Commercial Union)  MA, Senior Vice President

New Casualty/Property excess & surplus lines insurance carrier owned by Commercial Union. Negotiated casualty reinsurance treaties, established underwriting guidelines, hired staff, implemented systems and appointed national brokerage representation.  Primary and excess general, professional and Umbrella liability on high hazard risks offered on casualty side.  After two years, in a major corporate reorganization, CU discontinued Falcon and other corporate entities in spite of an advantageous loss ratio and retired the companies as they had done ten years earlier.  Within a week, CIGNA once again offered an opportunity that was accepted.

1978 – 1980, Montgomery & Collins (CIGNA), Vice President & Manager  Philadelphia, PA

Started first eastern office for this excess & surplus lines CIGNA-owned brokerage firm that soon established twenty offices.  Managing General Agent for CIGNA’s Pacific Employers Insurance Company that necessitated placing facultative reinsurance and MGA for Great Southwest Fire.  Umbrellas, hospital professional liability and high hazard liability lines were placed in-house or brokered to US surplus lines carriers as well as to London markets.  Solicited by Commercial Union to duplicate this success for them.

1976 – 1978, Admiral Insurance Company   Cherry Hill, NJ , Assistant Vice President – Casualty

Handled east coast casualty underwriting for this notable excess & surplus lines carrier.  Appointed regional brokerage representation and developed new insurance products.  Primary general, products and professional liability lines on high hazard risks were the specialty lines.  Assumed facultative reinsurance on risks of other carriers.  Approached by INA/CIGNA to return and establish excess & surplus lines brokerage and MGA in east.

1972 – 1976, California Union Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA, Casualty Manager – Eastern Region

High hazard liability underwriting for this INA, later CIGNA, excess & surplus lines subsidiary specializing in the difficult portions of primary and excess casualty accounts.  Assumed facultative reinsurance on the risks of other carriers as well.  Business emanated from surplus lines “wholesale” brokers and from reinsurance intermediaries.

1967 – 1972, Insurance Company of North America (INA)  Philadelphia & NYC 

Attended a four-month, full-time casualty underwriting school.  Assigned as home office liability underwriter on special accounts and promoted and sent to New York office for three years heading an underwriting/production team.  Transferred to INA’s excess & surplus lines carrier, California Union Insurance Company when it was formed.

1960 – 1962, United States Navy

1956 – 1960, La Salle University – Philadelphia

1992 – 1995, Member – Board of Directors:  Surplus Lines Association of Illinois