As CEO of the nation’s largest surplus line association, Benjamin McKay is responsible for protecting the interests of California consumers, eligible surplus lines insurers and U.S. surplus lines brokers. He also liaises with the California Department of Insurance and advises its commissioner on surplus lines issues. Previously, McKay served as SVP of Federal Government Relations for Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and as chief of staff for a member of Congress in Washington, D.C. He is on the board of the Florida State University Alumni Association and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, Western Division, and is a member of the University of Southern California Risk Management Advisory Council.

Joining Arch Re as an underwriter in 2019, Adriana Toscano directs its West Coast portfolio based in Los Angeles. She began her career at American International Group (AIG) in national accounts casualty and transitioned to underwriting foreign casualty business. She is currently pursuing her MBA in risk management and insurance at the University of Colorado and holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.

Casey Roberts started Laurus Insurance Consulting in 2010 with a mission to assist insurance professionals to reach their potential. Starting as a direct agent with an insurance writer in addition to roles as a personal lines and commercial producer and sales manager, consultant, continuing education teacher and expert witness, Roberts draws on his more than 40 years of experience to help other insurance professionals reach their goals through training and personalized coaching. Committed to learning, he has achieved several designations including ACSR, AFIS, CIC, PLIC, CLIC and CAIP.

David Kodama brings over 30 years of experience in surplus lines, actuarial science, policy analysis and industry and regulatory relations to the SLA. He oversees the financial analysis, legal compliance, and policy and training departments and works to strengthen the SLA’s advisory services on matters that impact the surplus lines industry and the California insurance marketplace. Kodama previously served as AVP of research and policy analysis for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, earning its President’s Award for Distinguished Service. He is a member of the advisory council for the Penn State Eberly College of Science Sustainability Council.  

Jerome Mayne brings his personal story of choices and consequences—and his journey from working man to federal prison—to audiences worldwide. Expect an emotional and entertaining ride not soon to be forgotten. Mayne delivers his story with humor and leaves you motivated to make the best ethical business decisions possible.
https://jeromemayne.com

Joseph Lara represents clients in commercial litigation disputes.  A skilled trial lawyer, Lara has litigated cases in both state and federal courts. His cases cover trade secrets misappropriation, trademark infringement, shareholder disputes and wage and hour law. A Navy veteran, Lara brings the discipline and teamwork skills that he developed while serving to his practice. He is a member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the San Diego County Bar Association. As a father of two, he also devotes some of his free time to coaching his son’s soccer team.

Jerome Mayne brings his personal story of choices and consequences—and his journey from working man to federal prison—to audiences worldwide. Expect an emotional and entertaining ride not soon to be forgotten. Mayne delivers his story with humor and leaves you motivated to make the best ethical business decisions possible.
https://jeromemayne.com 

With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, John Washington is responsible for business development, distribution, staff and general operations for the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, offices. He also provided regional oversight for the executive assurance, high excess workers’ compensation, health care, specialty casualty, global and e&s property business units from 2007 to 2011. Prior to joining Arch, Washington held various positions with BISYS, ACE, AIG, Marsh and Victor O. Schinnerer. He serves as vice chair of the Surplus Line Association of California Board of Directors, as chair of its Stamping Committee and DEI Committee and as a member of its Audit Committee.

Kristi Dean represents clients in business transactions and litigation disputes. Her litigation practice includes experience in trade secrets, unfair business competition, insurance law and complex business disputes. She focuses on insurance-related issues and complex litigation defense involving high-value cases. Dean has litigated cases in both state and federal courts as well as private arbitration. She is a regular speaker and panelist throughout the U.S. and U.K. and is a CE provider for the California Department of Insurance. She is consistently named a Southern California Super Lawyer and recognized as one of the top lawyers in Southern California by her peers.

An insurance professional and Certified Public Accountant, Mark Shealy has spent decades working with insurance corporations, not-for-profit associations and governmental entities. A licensed surplus lines broker/agent, general lines agent and adjuster, Shealy volunteers his time and talents to many organizations including Step Up for Students, Second Harvest of Big Bend and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

An insurance professional and Certified Public Accountant, Mark Shealy has spent decades working with insurance corporations, not-for-profit associations and governmental entities. A licensed surplus lines broker/agent, general lines agent and adjuster, Shealy volunteers his time and talents to many organizations including Step Up for Students, Second Harvest of Big Bend and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Rich Gobler leads the growth of offices from the Midwest to the West Coast and has spent his entire career with Burns & Wilcox. He was named its top producer several times and has earned the Million Dollar Club Producer Award for nearly 20 consecutive years. As a producer, he specialized in property & casualty. As a manager, he supported commercial binding and brokerage as well as commercial professional and personal insurance teams. Gobler is an active coach for associates in the Kaufman Accelerated Management Program and the Kaufman Emerging Leaders Program and serves as chair of the Surplus Line Association of California Board of Directors. He holds several designations, including AU, AINS and ASLI.

Shanna Sweeney leads a team of underwriters from across the United States who specialize in construction and complex casualty business. She teaches nationally for the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association and is a member of the Surplus Line Association of California’s Education and Compliance Committee. Sweeney is also the cofounder and president of Women of Wholesale, established in 2017. The organization focuses on developing and celebrating women in the wholesale insurance space who are making an impact in their communities. She has been recognized by the Eastern Illinois University Alumni Panel. 

Rich Gobler leads the growth of offices from the Midwest to the West Coast and has spent his entire career with Burns & Wilcox. He was named its top producer several times and has earned the Million Dollar Club Producer Award for nearly 20 consecutive years. As a producer, he specialized in property & casualty. As a manager, he supported commercial binding and brokerage as well as commercial professional and personal insurance teams. Gobler is an active coach for associates in the Kaufman Accelerated Management Program and the Kaufman Emerging Leaders Program and serves as chair of the Surplus Line Association of California Board of Directors. He holds several designations, including AU, AINS and ASLI.

In addition to leading the wholesale Insurance brokerage R.E. Chaix & Associates for close to 18 years, Timothy Chaix has been part of several associations within the insurance industry.  He served for seven years on the board of directors for the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) and the American Association of Managing General Agents. He is a member of WSIA’s Talent Outreach Committee and serves as president of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Orange County. Chaix also sits on the board of directors for the Surplus Line Association of California and is chair of its Education & Compliance Committee.