9× NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
COMPLEX RISK SYMPOSIUM 2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including All it Takes is a Goal, Soundtracks, and Finish.

Published in more than 20 languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.

SVP, GLOBAL WAR AND TERRORISM LEAD, LOCKTON COMPANIES

James leads the Global War and Terrorism practice which forms part of Lockton’s wider Crisis Management division. He partners with a portfolio of clients in the design and placement of bespoke programs covering their property damage and revenue exposures globally.

In recent years James worked in collaboration with Lloyd’s in the development of none-standardised market coverages which include active assailant, nuclear/chem/bio and impairment of access. James was also involved in coordinating the London market response to the extension of TRIA in 2019 and he continues to partner with multinationals in the placement of captive reinsurance programs which include the integration of fronting and local pooling arrangements.

James joined the London market in 2008 via the Aon graduate scheme before assuming a position in the Crisis Management division. In 2014 he joined Canopius as a Political Violence underwriter before being recruited back to Aon to lead their North American Terrorism practice. In May 2023 James joined Lockton to lead their Political Violence division.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Doug Brody is the Senior Vice President of Business Development M&A Tax at Lockton. Previously, Doug was a Managing Director of Tax Business Development at Aon, and prior to that was a partner in EY’s Transaction Tax Practice. In his current role, Doug works with taxpayers and their advisors to design tax insurance solutions for corporate, pass-through, individual, and estate tax matters. Doug is also a frequent producer of thought leadership, including participation and industry, conferences and panels, and the development of podcast and articles addressing the tax and insurance industries.

VP, SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST TEAM LEAD, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Kate Dietrich is an account executive in the Midwest with an expertise in environmental risk. With an extensive background in environmental consulting and underwriting, she works with clients to analyze environmental exposures, identify coverage gaps, and design environmental insurance program. Kate has worked as an environmental resource for national and international clients from a wide array of industries including real estate, construction, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial institutions. In her role, she maintains a thorough knowledge of the environmental marketplace and emerging trends in order to obtain the most successful outcome for her clients.

Prior to joining Lockton, Kate focused solely on environmental insurance both as a broker and underwriter. Before joining the insurance industry, she served as an environmental consultant performing Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments and managing soil and groundwater remediation projects.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ALLIED WORLD INSURANCE COMPANY

Helen Eichmann is a Senior Vice President at Allied World Insurance Company. Based in New York, Ms. Eichmann is part of the Environmental Division’s management team and is responsible for Allied World’s suite of pollution legal liability products on a national basis. Her responsibilities at Allied World also include business development, marketing, and operations roles. With over 25 years in the environmental insurance industry, Ms. Eichmann’s prior experience includes various environmental underwriting, broking, legal, and management roles at Aon, Liberty International Underwriters, and Chubb. She started her insurance career in AIG’s environmental claims department. Ms. Eichmann holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Juris Doctorate, and is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

EVP, US CASUALTY PRACTICE LEADER,
LOCKTON COMPANIES

Debbie is an executive vice president and US casualty practice leader, focusing on the disciplines of workers’ compensation, commercial auto, general liability, and umbrella and excess casualty. She brings to clients and colleagues a well-rounded, professional background including past experience as an underwriter.

As a trusted advocate, Debbie is a global resource to clients and Lockton teams providing expertise and insight on complex liability programs. She has crafted and negotiated tailored coverages and delivered sophisticated solutions that align with clients’ risk management and business objectives. Debbie’s influence extends to the carrier community, which regards her as a highly competent technician, and frequently consults with her when developing coverage forms.

Internally, Debbie sponsors industry vertical teams, promotes awareness of resources, builds and conducts skill workshops, and works with Producers on winning and retaining clients. She works closely with London- and Bermuda-based colleagues to effectively leverage the firm’s expertise and capabilities in the global marketplace.

As one of Lockton’s foremost strategic thought leaders, professional development is paramount to Debbie. She actively supports industry diversity and inclusion and is highly supportive in the areas of talent acquisition, development, retention, and mentorship.

CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FINANCE & DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR RISK AND UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT
DARLA MOORE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Robert P. Hartwig, a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business, directs the Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management. He teaches courses in risk management, insurance, and corporate finance and collaborates with industry stakeholders. Previously, he served as president of the Insurance Information Institute from 2007 to 2016. With a background in economics, he held roles as chief economist at the I.I.I. and director of economic research at the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Dr. Hartwig has also worked for the Swiss Reinsurance Group and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. in economics cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Hartwig is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

His contributions include authored and co-authored papers in various publications, and he has received awards such as the NAMIC Chairman's Award in 2011. Dr. Hartwig is a sought-after speaker and media resource on property/casualty insurance issues, featured in top publications and television programs globally.

For more information, visit www.uscriskcenter.com for Dr. Hartwig’s papers, presentations, and media archive.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SAFETY NATIONAL

As the Chief Executive Officer of Safety National, Duane Hercules holds a pivotal role in steering the corporation towards achieving its strategic business goals and objectives. With a wealth of experience spanning over 3 decades, he has ascended through various leadership positions within the company, including Treasurer, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President, before assuming the role of CEO in 2022.

Duane's expertise extends beyond the confines of Safety National, as he also serves on the Board of Directors for both Safety National and Tokio Marine Management. Throughout his career, he has been a prominent figure in the industry, sharing his insights as a speaker and panelist at numerous conferences and contributing to articles on topics relevant to the field. Prior to his tenure at Safety National, Duane honed his skills as a Senior Auditor at Coopers & Lybrand, where he earned his certification as a Certified Public Accountant.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Northeast Missouri State University in 1981. Duane's skill set encompasses strategic planning, leadership, financial management, decision-making, problem-solving, team building, negotiation, innovative thinking, and business development.

SENIOR UNDERWRITER, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WAR AND TERRORISM, LIBERTY SPECIALTY MARKETS

Tom is a senior underwriter within Liberty’s Political Violence, War and Terrorism practice which forms part of Liberty’s wider Marine division. Tom specializes in the Americas providing bespoke solutions for clients across a range of products to protect their assets and revenues.

More recently, Tom has been focused on delivering global programs providing security for clients against strikes, riots, civil commotion and war in the current ever-growing uncertainty of world events.

Tom joined the London market in 2013 with Aon in the Kidnap and Ransom department before transitioning within Aon to their Political Violence team. In 2016 he moved to the underwriting side when he joined Hiscox before starting at Liberty in 2020 as a Senior Underwriter. Prior to joining the insurance industry Tom spent 8 years in the British Army as an Infantry Officer, leaving at the rank of Captain, having served three operational tours of duty.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER, PARTNER, ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE, KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP

Andrew Homer is an environmental lawyer and a Partner in Kelley Drye & Warren LLP’s environmental practice. Andrew represents clients in litigation, administrative proceedings, permitting, and compliance related to federal and state environmental laws and regulations. He handles high value environmental litigation and enforcement actions for both institutional plaintiffs and defendants, and regularly advises clients on business transactions and agreements with environmental components. In addition to his experience in two top U.S. law firms, Andrew spent several years as in-house counsel for the largest investor-owned water utility in the country. Andrew’s full bio, including publications, presentations, awards and recognition, and representative experience, are available at: kelleydrye.com/people/andrew-w-homer.

SVP, HEALTHCARE & CASUALTY CLAIMS, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY SPECIALTY INSURANCE

Courtney Koch is a Senior Vice President at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) serving as Head of Casualty and Healthcare Claims for the U.S. Courtney joined BHSI in July 2014 as one of the founding members of the healthcare and casualty claims team. Prior to joining BHSI, Courtney served as a Senior Claims Director at ACE American Insurance (Chubb) and a Paralegal at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Courtney obtained her BA from Fordham University and JD from New York Law School. She is an active board member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (iicf.org) Northeast Division and is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences on topics ranging from claims and litigation trends to diversity in the insurance industry.

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, SPEARTIP

Jarrett Kolthoff, a former cyber counterintelligence agent and President of SpearTip, provides 24/7 security monitoring and incident response services to enhance client organizations' security capabilities. With real-world experience and certifications such as GCFA and CISSP, he illuminates how every aspect of an organization can be targeted by threat actors.

SpearTip’s ShadowSpear Platform identifies, neutralizes, and counters threats daily. Jarrett’s expertise extends to managing cyber insurance claims, including ransomware incidents and state-sponsored cyber espionage investigations, fostering strong relationships with insurance carriers and clients.

His investigative background includes cases of cyber extortion, intellectual property theft, and ransomware across commercial and global markets. A skilled communicator, Jarrett is sought after for his ability to convey complex subjects in understandable terms, making him a popular speaker at conferences and with the media.

Following SpearTip’s acquisition by Zurich Holding Company of America in 2023, Jarrett assumed the role of Head of Cyber at Zurich Resilience Solutions, aligning with Zurich’s cyber risk mitigation services.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Jarrett is actively involved in various groups and organizations, including NFSTC, Washington University St. Louis, AFIO, ERII, and Mercy Hospital, where he serves on the Cyber Security Sub-Committee.

SENIOR ANALYST AND PARTNER, DOWLING & PARTNERS

Kyle LaBarre joined Dowling & Partners in 2006 as an associate analyst in the property & casualty industry and has assisted on a majority of the property casualty sectors “under coverage.” He is currently a Senior Analyst and Partner at the firm and is responsible for primary coverage on 15 companies with a concentration on specialty (re)insurance companies in the U.S. and Bermuda. Mr. LaBarre holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Connecticut.

SVP, MIDWEST SERIES CYBER PRACTICE LEADER, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Andrew Laubmeier is the Cyber Practice Leader for Lockton’s Midwest Series. In his role, Andrew manages the cyber team for the Series and focuses specifically on large, complex Cyber and E&O placements. His responsibilities include team management and oversight, insurance placement, policy language review and negotiation, carrier relationship management, and client advisory. He has successfully developed creative risk transfer programs that have reduced costs, enhanced value, and increased client control of their Cyber and E&O programs. As a result of Andrew’s work with complex cyber placements, he has strong familiarity with leading cyber carriers/underwriters, their risk appetite, and policy language.

Prior to joining Lockton in 2021, Andrew spent four years in Marsh’s national cyber practice where he advised Fortune 500 clients on their cyber risk transfer programs and placed their coverage with the insurance marketplace. Prior to Marsh, Andrew was at Aon for five and a half years.

SVP, DIVISION PRESIDENT, CHUBB GROUP AND DIVISION PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICAN MAJOR ACCOUNTS

Matt Merna has executive and operating responsibility for Chubb’s retail commercial property and casualty insurance businesses that serve the large account and corporate market in the U.S. and Canada. He is responsible for all aspects of the Major Accounts division, including strategy, production, product development and management, and profit and loss performance.

Mr. Merna has nearly 30 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, Mr. Merna served as Chief Operating Officer for North America Major Accounts, where he was responsible for overseeing the unit’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Merna focused on bringing innovative risk management solutions to the large account and corporate market, and expanding Chubb’s wide range of core specialty products, services and coordinated account management in all segments. Mr. Merna was named Senior Vice President, Chubb Group, in July 2018.

Mr. Merna also served as Executive Vice President, Chubb Global Casualty from 2010 to 2017. In this role, he led an experienced, award-winning team of industry professionals committed to providing the most innovative, best-in-class underwriting and service as well as a full range of industry-leading global casualty offerings for large multinational companies and smaller but growing companies with increasing exposures around the world.

Mr. Merna joined the company, then named ACE, in 2000 and has held various senior leadership positions, including serving as President, ACE Financial Solutions and Division President, ACE Risk Management Prior to his tenure with Chubb, he held various management positions in public accounting and insurance in New York and Europe.

EVP, RISK PRACTICE LEADER
LOCKTON COMPANIES

As the Risk Practices Leader, Mark is responsible for Lockton’s national practices, delivering customized solutions in the areas of property, casualty, captive consulting, risk finance, private equity, analytics, global services, risk control and claims. These solutions are delivered within a strategic risk consulting framework aligned with clients’ corporate operational and financial goals.

Mark spends significant time delivering customized solutions to clients using advanced actuarial and statistical methodologies to help identify and assess risks, consult on how to best manage risk, optimize the purchase of insurance, and lower their total cost of risk.

Having developed more than 25 years of underwriting company experience prior to joining Lockton, Mark leverages quantitative capabilities to drive decision-making and deliver superior results. He has spent the bulk of his career building a specialty in casualty products, including workers’ compensation, commercial auto and liability.

Mark has experience both as a practitioner and user of advanced actuarial, underwriting and credit models.

SVP, DIRECTOR OF EMERGING RISK, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Logan is a Senior Vice President and Director of Emerging Risks focused on the identification and tracking of emerging issues in the P&C space, working in tandem with Lockton product line leaders to develop risk transfer solutions. As a part of the Technical Intelligence & Emerging Risks (TIER) Practice, he works with clients, underwriters, legal professionals and industry-specific experts to proactively uncover new threats or issues. The Emerging Risks team leverages global expertise in P&C, executive risk, cyber, reinsurance, and coverage to evaluate loss scenarios and pinpoint solutions using mitigation or risk finance techniques. Lockton’s TIER Practice gets ahead of issues that could impede our clients’ results and provides expert advice to safely navigate these issues.

Logan has more than 10 years of experience working as a resource for Associates and global clients on the design, implementation and servicing of international programs across property, casualty, E&O, trade credit, travel accident and financial lines. He has traveled extensively to Lockton offices around the world in support of clients and the Lockton Global partnership and has been quoted by CBS News and in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Risk & Insurance and Business Insurance on a variety of global risk management topics.

EVP, PRACTICE LEADER, NATIONAL RISK CONTROL SERVICES, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Paul leads Lockton’s National Risk Control Services Practice. His duties include consulting with clients to identify and locate unique solutions to claim and exposure-related issues. Prior to joining Lockton, Paul was a Senior Vice President at Willis for its national construction practice. Paul works closely with the senior claim management of the insurance carrier markets to ensure Lockton’s clients’ service needs are met on a consistent basis. Subsequent to joining Willis, Paul was the Vice President of Construction Claims at St. Paul/Travelers Insurance Companies.

AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION POLLSTER
AND POLITICAL ANALYST

Scott Rasmussen has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters and top political analysts. He constantly has his finger on the pulse of the nation and his knowledge of history enables him to put the latest news in a larger context.

Rasmussen is set to host a new weekly TV show on TBN called "The Scott Rasmussen Show." The program will explore current events from the American people's perspective, delve into key issues, and address challenges and opportunities in 21st-century polling.

Rasmussen recently conducted groundbreaking research revealing an Elite 1% whose views diverge significantly from the American people, contributing to political dysfunction. Throughout his career, innovation has been a hallmark. In 1978, he and his father founded ESPN, capitalizing on satellite communications technology. In the 1990s, Rasmussen pioneered online polling, offering data directly to the public and revolutionizing the industry.

Recognized as a driving force in American politics by the Washington Post, Rasmussen is also a New York Times bestselling author. He resides in Texas with his wife and has two grown children.

FOUNDER, RAW STRATEGY

Lindsay Rogers is the founder of Raw Strategy, a modern thought leadership, brand story and positioning firm dedicated to cultivating exceptional leaders and athletes. With a commitment to redefining the landscape of leadership and inspiration, Lindsay's transformative programs, workshops, and compelling talks empower people to master their influence, control their narrative in the market, and revolutionize how they inspire and transform the world around them.

Lindsay Rogers has partnered with globally-recognized brands such as The North Face, Team USA, NBC, Twitter, The Red Cross, Toyota, Lockton, Shamrock Foods, Pella, and countless leaders, athletes and startups across diverse industries.

Lindsay Rogers doesn't just redefine leadership; she helps people reimagine what it means for them, fostering a legacy of profound influence and transformative change.

AVP, SPECIAL CRIME AND ACTIVE ASSAILANT BROKER, LOCKTON COMPANIES

Helen is a kidnap and ransom and active assailant product expert, responsible for the placement and servicing of accounts within the Lloyd’s of London, offshore and company markets. Helen’s focus is on security risks helping clients to protect their people against a variety of security related challenges including emergency political evacuation, kidnap, extortion, threat, disappearance, blackmail, stalking and maritime piracy.

Helen works with a range of clients from large multinational corporations to high-net-worth individuals. Providing bespoke cover for people across different industry sectors including; mining and natural resources, education, healthcare, retail, NGOs and journalists.

Her role includes collaborating with Associates both across North America and globally to create bespoke solutions to clients’ Crisis Management needs.

Helen has worked in Special Risks since 2018 specializing in Kidnap & Ransom and Active Assailant lines. Helen joined Lockton in 2022 having previously worked for SCR, the Special Crime division of WTW, culminating as the London-lead for the Asia Pacific portfolio. Prior to that Helen worked in the House of Commons for a Member of Parliament.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INSURANCE AND RISK, KITE REALTY GROUP

Theresa Severson is the senior vice president, insurance and risk at Kite Realty Group. She joined the company following its merger with Retail Properties of America (RPAI) where she served in a similar capacity for 13 years. In her role, Ms. Severson oversees risk management and insurance program for operational and corporate exposures, claims management, Business Continuity and Enterprise Risk Management.

In March 2023, Ms. Severson was named RIMS’ Risk Manager of the Year, appeared on Captive Review’s Power 50-Captive Owners List and, on behalf of Kite Realty Group, accepted CICA’s, Outstanding Captive Award, presented to a captive insurance company that has shown creative uses for a captive, recognition, and a positive reputation among rating agencies, regulators, and colleagues in the captive industry

Ms. Severson received her B.S. in Economics from Illinois State University.

U.S. MARKETS LEADER, LOCKTON FINANCIAL SERVICES, LOCKTON COMPANIES

As the U.S. Financial Services Markets Leader, Greg is responsible for driving successful results for clients and strategic growth with Lockton’s insurer partners, focusing on financial, professional and cyber risks. He also collaborates with the Analytics team to develop strategies for Lockton Financial Services and the Cyber & Technology Practice.

Greg previously served as the leader of the Financial Lines Center of Excellence at Guy Carpenter, the reinsurance brokerage arm of Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. There he managed and worked on a variety of financial lines and casualty placements for large global, national, super-regional, specialty and alternative risk companies. Prior to that, Greg was the U.S. FINPRO Placement Leader for Marsh LLC, its main brokerage arm, where he oversaw 28 brokers and supported FINPRO in the area of analytics, providing clients and prospects with data and insights to help them make informed decisions about how to manage their risk.

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL LINES, THE HARTFORD

A. Morris Tooker (Mo) is head of The Hartford’s Commercial Lines, which includes Small Commercial, Middle & Large Commercial and Global Specialty business units. In addition, he oversees The Hartford’s Enterprise Sales & Distribution organization.

Tooker is a property and casualty industry veteran with more than three decades of insurance and reinsurance experience. He joined The Hartford in 2015 as chief underwriting officer and later became head of Middle Market. He played a critical role in the successful integration of the Navigators acquisition and drove product innovation and underwriting excellence across Middle & Large Commercial and Global Specialty.

Prior to joining The Hartford, Tooker served as president of General Reinsurance Corporation, where he was responsible for the company's global P&C reinsurance business and garnered 12 years of international experience working from the United Kingdom.

Tooker received his bachelor's degree from Middlebury College.

Tooker is on the Connecticut and Rhode Island Chapter Board of the Red Cross, as well as the Earthplace Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (GSRM) at St. John’s University, and Highwing, Inc. – a company focused on providing data management and processing solutions for both brokers and carriers.