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Barron S. Wall – ARM, PMC

Managing Associate / Principal

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Barron S. Wall – ARM, PMC

Managing Associate / Principal 1208

As the Managing Associate of ICA since 1981, Barron oversees the activities of the firm and provides thought leadership in tailoring consulting services to ICA’s 400 diverse domestic and international clients. Under Barron’s leadership, the organization — comprising legal, accounting and risk management professionals — has grown both in the scope of services it offers as well as in the range of clients it serves.

Over the course of 49 years, Barron has been responsible for homing in on what risk management services each individual industry would most benefit from. In this regard, services were created for management liability needs of clients, as well as services of varying types to protect the client’s own assets and operations. The design of these services also includes auditing of all types of third parties that the client would typically purchase services from that are part of the client’s risk management program. These services support ICA’s Clients that do not have a risk management department or supplement services to Clients that maintain a risk management department. By design, these 20 services bring value and a significant return on the Client’s investment in these services. The depth of ICA’s services has allowed professionals in the industry to refer to ICA as “the gold standard of risk management firms”.

Prior to providing consulting services, Barron led the risk management department for a multibillion-dollar supermarket retailer in the Northeast.

Barron received a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University and he holds his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) from the Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. Barron served as a Director of the Society of Risk Management Consultants and as President of the former Insurance Consultants Society. Barron is also a member of the Risk Management Consultants of Ontario, Canada. Barron is both a lecturer and author on many insurance and risk management topics as well as an expert witness in the industry. Barron served as the President of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Ramapo College. He is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Barron also focuses his efforts on two of his many passions: health and education-driven philanthropy. Barron serves as a friend and benefactor to charities that protect and educate children and women and is currently funding the construction of a birthing hospital in Uganda. He provides financial support to students from military families seeking university degrees, whose parent has died in the line of duty.

Barron’s devotion to endangered species is evidenced by one of his proudest achievements: his contribution to building the Charles Goldberg African Wildlife Foundation Bonobo Research Center located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in honor of his late grandfather who inspired Barron’s love of wildlife.

Barron resides in the New York metropolitan area and is currently working on a fictional novel that he hopes will eclipse Harry Potter as the world’s new favorite fantasy adventure.

Barron can be reached at bswall@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Bernard S. Hammer

Associate / Principal

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Bernard S. Hammer

Associate / Principal 1209

Bernard joined ICA as an Associate after serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Risk Manager at Colonial Foods, one of ICA’s Clients. Bernie’s diversified client base includes real estate, hotels, retail, manufacturing, distribution, importing, colleges, universities and a growing presence in healthcare, among other industries.

Bernie is a frequent speaker on cutting-edge insurance exposures facing the business world. He has addressed the New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware Apartment Associations on issues such as environmental risk and terrorism as well as current trends in the field of technological risk, including the universe of cyber related exposures.

Bernie derives great satisfaction in authoring customized insurance language for his client’s unique and challenging exposures. One example included the crafting of wording, which enabled the world’s largest Rabbinical Academy to exercise complete control over damaged biblical manuscripts and bury them adhering to religious law, disallowing the insurance company to dispense or salvage these damaged items as they saw fit, thereby violating their special spiritual status.

Bernie’s dedication to his clients is demonstrated by his “never say die” attitude to claim denials by Insurors. His recent successes include overturning an insurance carrier’s denial to a claim despite the advice of an insurance broker as well as the Client’s own outside counsel to the contrary. The Client was reimbursed $750,000 in legal fees it had expended to defend the claim.

Bernie has provided his risk management expertise on a pro bono basis for various not-for-profit institutions and the community at large.

Bernie obtained a Liberal Arts degree from Yeshiva University and is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

Bernie can be reached at bhammer@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Gary S. Koppele – CPA, ARM

Associate / Principal

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Gary S. Koppele – CPA, ARM

Associate / Principal 1212

Gary has been an Associate/Principal at ICA for over 20 years.  His achievements on behalf of Clients in the fields of Risk Management and Insurance stems from his experience in Public Accounting (becoming a CPA in 1976) and from being an Executive Officer and CFO of a major regional supermarket operator for 20 years. Gary’s background is fundamental in lending itself to business’ operational excellence and human resource management. Gary’s professional acumen qualifies him to serve as the Associate supervising ICA’s Professional Practices Committee, which is at the heart of ICA’s core services.

Gary is a key figure contributing to both ICA’s and Clients’ strategic and operational planning. Throughout his tenure at ICA, Gary developed dominance managing a complex variety of risks that face the Clients he serves. Gary attributes his success to being an instrumental team player, as he also recruited and developed a team of consultants with the expertise and commitment to overserving the firm’s client base, consistently exceeding Clients’ expectations of their risk management programs.  Such Clients are in diverse business industries, ranging from publicly held organizations to privately held and not-for-profit organizations in the middle market, with specialty areas in the real estate, construction, development, retail, hospitality, professional services, and transportation sectors and managing retail and wholesale risks.

Gary’s credentials are additionally enhanced through the achievement of a BBA degree (Cum Laude status) in 1973, an ARM designation in 2002 and having completed 6 of 8 courses towards his CPCU designation both through The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group.  He has been a past President, Treasurer and Board Member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants over the past 10+ years and has excelled in various industry speaking engagements in the aforementioned business segments.

When Gary is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, following his favorite sports teams and travelling.

Gary can be reached at gkoppele@icarisk.com.

Nathan Unger – ARM

Associate / Principal

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Nathan Unger – ARM

Associate / Principal 1227

Nathan Unger has been an Associate/Principal of ICA since 1984.  Nathan’s experience lends itself to providing invaluable insight to each Client he serves by acting as the primary contact between those Clients’ decision makers and ICA’s service team. Nathan’s passion for the results achieved on behalf of each Client is clear, as decision makers turn to Nathan when seeking thought leadership for understanding their risks and qualifying the most suitable risk management options available to them.

Nathan provides guidance and oversight to an experienced ICA team of senior consultants and to others in the organization.  Nathan affirms that dedicating the necessary time and proper attention to each Client is crucial to identifying the Client’s coverage gaps in order to improve coverage certainty where such certainty did not exist prior.  This requires establishing a well-designed process and protocols with each Client, to transfer their insurable risks to insurance companies properly, and for eliminating coverage uncertainties wherever possible. This approach also helps to explain Nathan’s success providing ICA’s litigation support and expert witness services, based on his record of supporting only the interests of the policyholders he serves and by assisting their representation through the legal system.

Nathan’s focus on exceeding Client expectations is attributable to his perspective that he advises the Client as though he were part of the Client’s organization, or in the Client’s shoes.  Nathan also enjoys the diversity of Clients in different industries with whom he interacts daily. While he is called upon by Clients in many sectors, Nathan’s expertise is utilized and appreciated by businesses in the construction, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, financial institutions, manufacturing, transportation, retail and wholesale industries. Furthermore, at ICA Nathan lends his guidance to the Education Committee as well as being a Principal supervising ICA’s Public Relations Committee.

Prior to joining ICA, Nathan held the position of Controller and subsequently Senior Vice President of Finance for a major advertising firm.  His corporate business experience contributes to his understanding of Clients’ management perspectives and addressing their needs beyond the sole capacity of insurance-product knowledge.  Nathan has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Accounting from The City University of New York as well as the Associate in Risk Management from the Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. In addition, he is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants and has spoken before a variety of professional forums on risk management topics.

Outside of the office, Nathan is an avid sports fan and tries to actually visit as many sports venues around the country as possible.  He also enjoys spending quality time and taking vacations with his family.

Nathan can be reached at nunger@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Adelina Diaz – MBA

Risk Analyst

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Adelina Diaz – MBA

Risk Analyst 3664

Adelina joined ICA in 2020 and she works fastidiously with ICA Consultants on Client matters in diverse and different industries. Her responsibilities and duties include reviewing insurance policies, binders and certificates, maintaining schedules of insurance, as well as preparing information for renewal marketing initiatives and assisting with claims advocacy on behalf of the Client.

In 2013, Adelina graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies. She acquired a Master’s in Business Administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2017. Prior to joining ICA, she worked in the financial industry for five years as a Financial Services Representative where she gained broad knowledge of banking, business management and customer support, which have enhanced her service of ICA’s clients.

Outside of the office, Adelina enjoys playing tennis, kayaking and traveling, as well as being dedicated to her family in raising her two young children.

Adelina can be reached by adiaz@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Angela Verrone headshot

Angela Verrone – CIC

Compliance Account Manager

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Angela Verrone – CIC

Compliance Account Manager 3730

Angela joined ICA in 2021 as a Compliance Account Manager having gained her experience in the insurance industry.

Her background and expertise includes managing clients in the Real Estate and Construction industries as well as specific expertise in insurance for Associations comprising Homeowners and Condominium Owners.

Presently at ICA, she manages the insurance compliance requirements for large commercial loans in the real estate and construction space to protect her clients’ equity interests. Prior to joining ICA, Angela was employed for 10 years by a national insurance brokerage organization as a Middle Market Account Manager. In that role, she serviced a diverse portfolio of clients, gained knowledge in the insurance field and developed her passion for the industry.

Her passion for the industry and the continual need to expand her knowledge led her to achieve the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation awarded from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. She is now a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.

Angela graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with a Bachelors’ Degree in Communications.

Outside of the office, Angela enjoys reading, paddle boarding and cooking.

Angela can be reached via email at averrone@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Barbara Comly

Office Coordinator

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Barbara Comly

Office Coordinator 3262

Barbara’s positive nature, can-do personality, dependability and professionalism make her a perfect fit at ICA. Barbara’s organization, attention to detail and proclivity for being a team player are all traits that make her a valuable asset in terms of coordinating activities that ICA is involved in, both within and outside the organization.

Furthermore, her ability to make ICA’s Clients feel valued on the phone and in person, coupled with her courteous manner, have served her well in her role as the “voice” of ICA.

Barbara diligently coordinates a variety of projects and serves many functions for the Associates, which contributes to the smooth running of the office. She also manages key aspects of ICA’s systems and procedures, which supports the practice groups at large. In addition, Barbara is the custodian of ICA’s Library and Research Center®, which is fundamental to ICA’s service deliverables to its clients.

Prior to joining the ICA family, Barbara worked in various administrative and supportive roles to executives, for a variety of industries, which included an organization that specializes in worker’s compensation and the recapture of insurance premiums.

Barbara shares her passion for volunteerism and community service with many ICA professionals and support staff. She has served on the Board of her condominium association and regularly volunteers at a local animal shelter, as well as a therapeutic equine riding program, which she currently supports on an ongoing basis.

Barbara can be reached at bcomly@icarisk.com.

Danielle Pile

Consultant

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Danielle Pile

Consultant 3872

As a graduate of St. John’s School of Risk Management and Actuarial Science, Danielle was very decisive regarding her career path within the insurance industry. Beginning her professional career, at a major insurance company, as a claims examiner, Danielle handled large property and casualty claims. In this role, she interpreted complex insurance coverages, to aid in the processing of the company’s in-house litigation, with their ongoing lawsuits. As an examiner, she was also responsible for negotiating claim settlements, that could avert going to trial at the Supreme Court level.

After some time, Danielle diversified her professional portfolio and skill set by becoming an insurance broker. In this role, she managed all aspects of account servicing and placement of large national and international clients. She handled pre and post insurance renewal strategies and client stewardship meetings. As she mastered her roles and responsibilities as a broker, managing a large book of business, her efforts were recognized, as they grossed her organization, $30 Million in revenue.

Always looking for a challenge, Danielle decided to apply her experience and knowledge to become a Risk Management Consultant. Danielle joined the New Jersey Headquarters of ICA Risk Management Consultants in 2022. As a Risk Management Consultant, Danielle has fully integrated herself into the team, actively collaborating with other consultants to quickly identify client risks and provide solutions, ensuring the best possible service to ICA’s clientele.

Danielle’s hobbies include swimming, dancing, tennis and hiking. She is also very passionate about travel and giving back to her community.

Danielle can be reached at Dpile@icarisk.com

Dawn Messina

Controller

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Dawn Messina

Controller 1516

Dawn joined ICA in 2009 as an accountant/office manager. Since that time she has become responsible for all accounting functions at ICA’s home office in Mahwah, office operations and human resource functions. Dawn interacts with Clients and ICA’s professionals on a regular basis and has earned their respect for her dedication, timeliness and professionalism in all her endeavors.

She graduated summa cum laude from Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ with a Bachelor’s in Accounting. Following her college achievements, she practiced public accounting at KPMG, having passed all the parts of the CPA examination, and also at a local accounting firm prior to joining ICA. Outside the office, Dawn enjoys hiking, cycling and gardening.

Dawn can be reached at dmessina@icarisk.com.

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Dexter Rosario – CISR, CLCS

Consultant 1488

Dexter joined ICA in 2018 as a Consultant. He came to ICA with 15 years of experience in the insurance industry managing an assorted portfolio of clients. His wealth of knowledge has been put to good use at ICA as a result of the above, and Dexter has been able to work with many risk management programs for the diverse needs of the Clients he services.

Currently, Dexter services Clients in various industries including specialty trade contractors, homebuilders, logistics organizations, hospitality businesses and other organizations with entertainment risks.

Dexter attended both the Hartford School of Insurance where he earned his CLCS designation through the National Underwriter, and St. Johns School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science for additional insurance courses. Dexter went on to earn his CISR designation through the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research demonstrating his commitment to exceptional service and leadership in the insurance industry. Dexter earned his Associate of Applied Science degree from Rockland Community College.

When Dexter is not in the office, he enjoys attending concerts, time with his family and friends and is an avid recreational basketball player.

Dexter can be reached at drosario@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Eric Wall

Consultant and Strategic Analyst

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Eric Wall

Consultant and Strategic Analyst 1461

Eric is a Consultant and business development specialist at ICA where he often enjoys making rounds to his colleagues to get their insightful business perspectives on risk management issues. Eric spends ample time reading Clients’ operational agreements and insurance policies, from an audit standpoint, to provide a comprehensive analysis for the Clients’ understanding of pertinent risk management issues.

Eric joined the firm in 2002, when he started as an Administrative Assistant and learned risk management basics.  In between his college semesters, he worked on a part time basis to learn the technical aspects of consulting and quickly enjoyed mastering the process of risk identification as it pertains to different types of businesses or personal risk issues.   Eric furthered his appreciation for independent and objective risk management consulting after gaining experience in the brokerage world. After graduating from The University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Eric rejoined the firm in 2014 and commenced studying law at New York Law School.

Eric is the Marketing Meeting Committee Chair, a group in which ICA’s professionals gather monthly to discuss industry trends and share key insights that consultants bring to their Clients.  In addition to appreciating the critical and collective brain-trust between colleagues, Eric invites outsourced specialists in their fields to share insight about diverse risk management topics. Eric is also on the Information Technology Committee at ICA because of his cyber intellect and passion for protecting intellectual property.  Eric is currently pursuing his CIC and ARM designations and set his sights on finishing his law degree.

Eric affirms that “developing a deep understanding of each Client’s risk allows one to prioritize the Client’s risk management concerns, risk appetite and business objectives.  This is critical for producing the most effective client-focused solutions, as ICA’s role depends on constant, clear and trustful communication with Clients. As a direct result, ICA’s solutions are constantly exceeding Clients’ expectations.”

Eric has worked and volunteered in the construction, landscaping, retail, professional services, non-profit and other industries prior to dedicating his career to ICA. In his spare time, he enjoys his position as a member of Mahwah’s Young Professional Chamber of Commerce, Northern New Jersey’s JNF as a lay board member, playing sports, studying economics, studying science and technological developments, training his puppy, gardening and supporting various charities and non-profit organizations.

Eric can be reached at ewall@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Jill McWilliams

Administrative Assistant

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Jill McWilliams

Administrative Assistant 1492

Jill joined ICA in 2014 as an Administrative Assistant, when she immediately became an integral part of the team. Jill services many industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality and real estate. Jill maintains great Client relationships and always offers excellent customer service.

Jill is responsible for review of insurance proposals, binders and policies. She also prepares and updates exposure schedules, executive insurance summaries, timelines, agendas and handles other critical Client matters.

Jill’s education started in Hotel Management, where she attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  With a change in career to the insurance industry, she became a licensed producer working at a wholesale brokerage firm. Prior to taking on her role at ICA, Jill gained additional experience at a retail insurance agency as a commercial account assistant.

Outside of the office, Jill enjoys jewelry making, kayaking and boating, exercising and attending music concerts.

Jill can be reached at jmcwilliams@icarisk.com.

Josh Shapiro

Risk Analyst

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Josh Shapiro

Risk Analyst 3882

Josh joined ICA in 2022 in the role of Risk Analyst in support of the Risk Management Consulting Team. His responsibilities include reviewing and auditing insurance policies, binders, and insurance certificates, as well as compiling proposal comparisons. He is also involved gathering and assembling underwriting documentation, to assist clients with their insurance program renewals, as an important aspect of the risk identification process.

In 2018, Josh graduated from Rider University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Thereafter in 2021, he acquired a Master of Business Administration, with a specialization in Risk Management, from St. John’s University. To further his education, Josh is one part away from obtaining his ARM designation and setting his sights on the next challenge as well. Prior to joining ICA, he worked in the financial industry and in the legal field, where he was first exposed to the insurance world. Those other disciplines furthered Josh’s interest in risk management, as all three subjects are intertwined.

Outside of the office, Josh enjoys watching baseball, traveling, and trying new restaurants, as an epicure of the highest degree. He also loves spending time with his friends and family, especially if it involves enjoying any of the above interests.

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K.”Vish” Viswanathan – BCom, LLB(Gen), ACA, MBA, ARM, CPCU, CIC

Director of Special Projects 1457

“Vish” Viswanathan joined ICA in 1991. With experience in risk management and public accounting, Vish has taken on challenging consulting assignments as Director of Special Projects for ICA and he manages ICA’s Expert Witness and Litigation Support Department. Vish’s expertise and coverage analysis has resulted in the recovery of millions of dollars for Clients in litigation matters where he provided litigation support and expert witness services. Vish is regularly recognized by Clients for his unmatched problem solving abilities, and his industry standard-setting knowledge of Directors & Officers liability and Management Liability concerns.

Prior to joining ICA, Vish was the Audit Manager for Zambezi Paper Mills Group in Ndola, Zambia where he reviewed and analyzed the company’s financial risks and exposures. He also was a Chartered Accountant for Nathan & Raman in Chennai, India where he reviewed compliance with generally accepted accounting standards and advised clients on tax and financial matters.

Vish holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia, specializing in Risk Management & Insurance and Management Information systems. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Bombay. In 1990, Vish passed the Uniform CPA Examination of AICPA. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds the Associate in Risk Management, the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and the Certified Insurance Counselor designations. Vish is a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and the Society of CPCUs.

Vish is a former Director of the Society of Risk Management Consultants and a current active member. Two credos that Vish lives by:

  1. You always have to know more today than yesterday!
  2. Your passion has to show in everything you do!

With graduate degrees and professional designations in law, accounting, business, risk management and insurance, Vish has the technical skills to complement his passion for everything insurance, contracts and business.  Over the past 25+ years, his ICA Clients have seen this daily in how Vish represents them in identifying and analyzing risk exposures, in reviewing and seeking changes in policy language to match the exposures and in arguing for and obtaining coverage when the claims (invariably) happen.  The trust that the Clients place in his knowledge and expertise is what Vish considers his ultimate professional reward.

Vish can be reached at vish@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Karen Fairweather

Administrative Assistant

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Karen Fairweather

Administrative Assistant 1467

Karen joined ICA in 2003 as an Administrative Assistant and is an integral and long-standing part of Bernard Hammer’s client services group, servicing ICA’s Clients in wide-ranging and diverse industries. Having obtained her Insurance Producer’s License, Karen’s daily administrative duties and responsibilities include monitoring insurance policy renewals, claims meetings and conference calls; obtaining insurance proposals, certificates of insurance, insurance binders and policies. She also audits and reviews insurance binders and policies alongside the insurance proposals received from the industry as well as preparing insurance schedules and other client-related materials.

Karen graduated from Rutgers University/ Douglass College with a B.A. in English and has worked in administrative positions in various industries such as trade journalism, government defense contracting, medical supplies and medical communications. Prior to joining ICA, Karen worked as a coordinator for a medical communications company, a position which supplied her with skills she was able to apply to her current position at ICA.

Karen is a professional singer who enjoys bringing her creative side not only to her work, but also enjoys serenading musically her family, friends and colleagues.

Karen can be reached at kfairweather@icarisk.com.

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Kathy Chambers – CPCU, CIC, CRM, AINS

Senior Consultant 1456

Kathy joined ICA in 1985, and cut her teeth in the risk management industry at ICA.  She has risen from an Executive Assistant to the Managing Associate of ICA to a Senior Consultant. She provides consulting services to a diverse group of Clients including associations, real estate companies, financial institutions, non-profits, healthcare, manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, acting as the outsourced risk manager for most of her long-standing clientele. Kathy has developed a high level of expertise in the garment, financial institution and real estate industries. She consistently receives accolades from her clients for steadfastly pursuing the best risk management solutions on their behalf and for saving them money as if it was her own.

Kathy is a mentor and trainer to new hires that support her ICA team and a shining example of a team player. Kathy, as Insurance Committee Chairperson, has the primary responsibility for all of ICA’s own insurance purchases for the firm. She is also a project leader for marketing and insurance policy audit services for Clients and the firm.

Kathy received an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Orange County Community College. She has achieved the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and the Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations awarded by the Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. Kathy has also achieved the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations awarded by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. She is a member of the CPCU Society, the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, the Society of Certified Risk Managers and the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

Kathy’s biggest joys are spending time with her family and planning where they will travel to next.

Kathy can be reached at kchambers@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Kristen Hand – ARM, CPCU,
ARM-E

Senior Consultant 1246

Kristen joined ICA in 1999 and is a leading member in the organization.  As a Senior Consultant, her role as a key member of her Client’s Risk Management team is evident in her detailed approach to analyzing risk.  Prior to joining ICA, Kristen began her risk management career at a large private aviation firm. She then went on to work as the Risk Manager for a large public Fortune 500 company based in Manhattan.  Kristen’s risk management background, coupled with her extensive technical training benefits her Clients immensely.  Some of the industries Kristen specializes in are construction and development, commercial and habitational real estate, manufacturing, entertainment, financial institutions and retail.

Kristen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Saint Thomas Aquinas College and has furthered her technical studies by earning the Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM) as well as the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation (CPCU) from The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group.  She is the co-chair of the Education Committee at ICA and establishes in-house continuing education training and designation programs for all employees,fundamental aspects of ICA’s core values and continuous improvement initiatives.

As a former risk manager, Kristen appreciates the coordination involved in a successful risk management program.  She has developed internal risk management manuals and guidelines for her Clients and their employees. Her favorite part of her job as a risk consultant is being able to dive into her Clients’ operations, understand their risks and implement policies and procedures to mitigate risk, either by transfer to an insurance carrier or contractually through third-party agreements.  She has extensive experience in negotiation of indemnification language and contractual insurance requirements and has negotiated favorable results for her Clients with lenders, public entities and other third-party vendors.

In her spare time, Kristen enjoys traveling with her family, attending New York Yankees baseball games and snowmobiling.  She coaches recreation softball for her town league and is also a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters’ Cadette troop and Junior troop in the Morris county, NJ area.

Kristen can be reached at khand@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Kristie Granados

Administrative Assistant

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Kristie Granados

Administrative Assistant 1497

Kristie, as Administrative Assistant, plays a key role in the practice group that supports ICA’s Consultants, which services Clients in many diverse industries including real estate, construction and manufacturing. She reviews Clients’ insurance binders and policies, prepares and updates schedules of insurance on a regular basis, while also monitoring insurance policy expiration dates to prepare for insurance renewals that her group oversees, among her other administrative responsibilities. As a key member of another ICA group that provides ICA’s Lender Risk Management Services for various compliance services to lenders and other parties, Kristie also requests and reviews Client certificates of insurance, an area in which she is quite knowledgeable.

Kristie is a member of ICA’s in-house IT committee. In this role, she assists her colleagues with technical issues, cyber security and the implementation of proper protocols.

In her words, “I truly love helping Clients and my colleagues and am very proud of my contributions and teamwork during my six years at ICA.” Her cheerful and positive attitude towards all that she tackles is evidenced by her can-do attitude and is only surpassed by her radiant smile.

Kristie earned her business degree from William Paterson University in Financial Planning and Business Administration. Her knowledge in these areas allows her to approach insurance from a risk awareness, planning and organizational perspective that has become her passion at ICA.

In her free time, Kristie enjoys traveling and staying active. She is always up for an adventure and trying new things, which is why she is always on the go.

One of Kristie’s favorites mantras is “Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. ” – Mandy Hale

Kristie can be reached at kgranados@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn .

Maria Chrobak

Consultant

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Maria Chrobak

Consultant 3869

Maria joined ICA in 2021 as an intern and transitioned to a full-time position after having acquired her Insurance Producer’s License. Maria presently works on Compliance Services for Lenders, where her duties include analyzing certificates of insurance, lender insurance requirements and contractual agreements. Maria is responsible for reviewing insurance policies, creating insurance summaries, and corresponding with clientele.

Maria graduated from the University at Albany with a double bachelor’s degree in English and Communications. She is currently pursuing her Masters in English at Seton Hall University. This academic route has equipped Maria with critical writing, communication, and leadership skills essential to her responsibilities and the performance of the services she provides the clients of ICA.

Beyond the office, Maria teaches at the Nicolaus Copernicus Polish School in Mahwah, NJ and actively dances and plays the violin in the Polish Highlanders Group. Her passions include reading, skiing, jogging with her golden retriever, and traveling to see the wonders of the world.

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Marie P. Piccininni – CPA, ARM, ARM-E, CPCU

Senior Consultant 1249

Marie Piccininni joined ICA in 2001 after spending many years as an accountant, first in the audit department of KPMG and then with former ICA client, Big V Supermarkets, Inc., in several accounting management positions including Assistant Controller.

Marie is an asset to the Clients she serves. She is successful at managing the insurance policy placement process, which results in enhanced coverage at an affordable price on behalf of the Client. Marie helps her Clients with the coordination of their Certificates of Insurance program. Her professional background and risk management knowledge enables Marie to teach Clients about coverage forms and policy exclusions that affect their businesses. Marie’s long term tenure with her Clients allows her the opportunity to continually enhance their risk management programs since she has been working with most of her Clients since the day she started at ICA.

Upon joining ICA, Marie earned the Associate in Risk Management designation through The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group, earning one of the top four grades in the United States the year she took the exam. Marie went on to obtain the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation in 2014, also through The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. She is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants and sat on their board from 2014 to 2016. Marie also plays a key role at ICA as co-chairperson of ICA’s Education Committee, which involves selecting and coordinating the professional development and risk management courses for ICA’s professional staff and others. Marie graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY with a BS in Accounting and a minor in Economics.

In her youth, Marie was a Girl Scout where she was taught to leave a place better than she found it.  Marie applies this to many aspects of her life, including her Clients’ insurance programs. Outside of the office, Marie enjoys reading, swimming, gardening and evening walks with her husband and their dog.

Marie can be reached at mpiccininni@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Michele Tavarone

Administrative Assistant

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Michele Tavarone

Administrative Assistant 1482

Michele joined ICA in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant, and she quickly became an essential component of the team. She currently works side-by-side with our Senior Consultants while servicing ICA’s Clients in diverse industries. Michele’s responsibilities include reviewing insurance policies, proposals and binders, reviewing certificates, preparing schedules of insurance, assisting in the preparation of policy audits, claims management tracking and monitoring insurance policy expirations as well as her daily administrative duties.

Michele graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, located in New York City, with a Bachelor’s in Marketing/Merchandising Management and an Associate Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising. Following her college achievements, she worked in sales for a textile company and a retail catalog company as an associate product manager /buyer. Prior to joining ICA, she worked at an insurance company agency, for which she was a customer service representative. Michele garnered considerable knowledge relative to the insurance industry in her previous job, which supports her client-servicing role at ICA.

Outside of the office, Michele enjoys spending time with her family and friends, raising her children, traveling to new places and exploring her passion for photography, capturing special moments through the lens of a camera.

Michele can be reached at mtavarone@icarisk.com.

Nathan Hammer

Senior Consultant

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Nathan Hammer

Senior Consultant 1471

Nathan first joined ICA as an intern in 2008 after obtaining his producer’s license. Starting in the mailroom working his way up to Senior Consultant, his gradual but hard-earned ascension to the level of Senior Consultant over the last thirteen years has evidenced Nathan’s abilities to service accounts in industries that include real estate, apparel, education, technology, pharmaceuticals, professional services, contractors, retailers and manufacturers. Nathan takes great pride in his impressive track record of reducing his Client’s total cost of risk while achieving a broader and more comprehensive risk management program.

Nathan also serves as a liaison to his practice group on ICA’s IT committee because of his passion and interest in everything cyber related. He is also an integral part of ICA’s monthly marketing committee meetings that bring relevant risk management ideas to ICA’s professionals.

Prior to joining ICA, Nathan graduated from Yeshiva University in Manhattan with a double major in Business Management and Judaic Studies as well as a degree in Entrepreneurship. Nathan demonstrated his well-rounded business mind at an early age when he finished first place in the Sy Syms School of Business bowl competition as a senior in high school. Nathan became a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants in 2012 and is currently pursuing several professional insurance designations.

Outside of ICA, Nathan is involved in significant social projects which include the restoration of Jewish cemeteries in Poland that were destroyed during the Second World War. For this purpose, he returns to Poland every three years and has spoken at numerous schools with the goal of bringing awareness to the atrocities that were committed during the Holocaust. As a new father, Nathan also maintains his edge by playing ice hockey, his favorite sport, and writes fantasy football articles in his spare time while being extremely involved in his community on a local level.

Nathan can be reached at nhammer@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Randy Koetzner – MA

Project Manager

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Randy Koetzner – MA

Project Manager 1259

Since 1999, Randy has worked for ICA in various capacities. Randy’s history with the firm began with an internship position as a Marketing Assistant to the Managing Associate, Barron S. Wall. In 2008, Randy worked at ICA in a consulting capacity on a permanent basis, servicing ICA’s East and West coast clientele, working with Principal Michael Santulli of ICA’s West Coast office. Thereafter, Randy moved to his current role as Project Manager for ICA’s quality control program, because of his knowledge of the business, meticulous work habits and excellent communication skills.

Prior to coming to ICA, Randy worked for a premium automobile manufacturer, a premier auction house and as an educator. Randy received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Oberlin College and his Masters degree from Columbia University. Randy is currently working toward his Certified Insurance counselor (CIC) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.

Randy can be reached at rkoetzner@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Sophya L. Pierre – MBA, CPCU, ARM, ARM-E

Consultant 3247

Sophya Pierre is a consultant at ICA with over eight years’ experience in the insurance and risk management industry.

Prior to joining ICA, Sophya developed her love of insurance while working as a property claim adjuster at State Farm, handling catastrophic losses for more than five years. Sophya was then employed as a risk advisor at Marsh in Atlanta, GA, where she continued to develop her business acumen as a risk manager for a diverse array of clients throughout the Southeast. Sophya joined ICA in 2019, and in her consulting practice she enjoys challenging herself and seeking creative solutions so that her Clients can minimize risk and maximize business opportunities. Her portfolio of Clients includes chemical manufacturing and distribution, private equity and corporate real estate.

Sophya graduated from Mercer University in Macon, GA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. In 2016, she earned her Masters of Business Administration degree in Insurance Management from Brenau University. In three years, Sophya completed over ten designations, including the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter degree and the Associate in Risk Management awarded by the Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group, among others.

Sophya is fluent in English and Creole. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her large family and her “small” dog, Titan.

Sophya can be reached at spierre@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Stuart Kline – Esq., MBA, ARM, ARM-E, CPCU

Senior Consultant 1264

Stuart Kline has been a Senior Consultant with ICA since 2006.

Currently, “Stu” advises Clients in the apparel, retail, and commercial and habitational real estate industries on insurance and risk management matters.  He has earned both the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations from The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. Benefitting from his legal experience, he is especially well equipped to review leases, licensing agreements and contracts with vendors and suppliers and in turn recommend appropriate insurance language to mitigate operating risks.

In addition, he is well versed in policy language for Property, Casualty, Professional and Executive Liability as well as other lines of coverage, continually negotiating more expansive coverage at the best possible premium on behalf of Clients. Stu attended Rutgers University Law School (evening division), and then passed both the New Jersey and New York bar examinations.

Before joining ICA, he practiced insurance defense law for more than ten years and handled all aspects of litigation, from discovery through motion practice and trial. After earning a MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, Stu began his career in corporate finance – first with Johnson & Johnson, then with AT&T – working on a variety of corporate projects, including budgets and forecasting, strategic planning, debt refinancing and improving cash flow on customer receivables.

Stu is a valued member of ICA’s Professional Practice Committee, and contributor to ICA’s risk management publications and speaks to business groups on risk management topics as well. He also is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

In his spare time, Stu performs non-profit work, is an avid tennis player and also enjoys traveling.

Stu can be reached at skline@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Theresa Raimondi-Rouster

Consultant 3878

Terri has been in the insurance industry for over 35 years. She started her career in Personal Lines and shortly thereafter she became a Personal Lines Account Manager. This ignited her passion to pursue a career in the insurance industry. She soon moved into a position as a Commercial Lines Middle Market and Surety Account Manager, with a focus on construction, municipalities, and real estate risks, as well as other affiliated businesses.

She accepted a position at ICA, in 2000, as an insurance consultant. With her strong analytical skills, she was promoted to Loan Compliance Specialist, which gave her an opportunity to offer and recommend creative solutions to borrowers’ deficiencies. Terri’s diverse portfolio of servicing clients, because of her extensive experience in a variety of all classifications of small, middle market and large businesses, has allowed her to service clients at ICA, which includes real estate accounts, tradesmen, contractors, retail, investment firms, recovery services and arborists, among others. Terri’s clients will tell you that she is dependable, adaptable, with solid interpersonal and organizational skills, both professionally and personally, and one who readily accepts challenges and continually looks for solutions.

Her breath of experience in account servicing, management and risk analysis is something she truly enjoys because of her love of learning. Recent awareness of the unique aspects centered around the growth and expansion within the cannabis industry, encouraged her to pursue a Cannabis Insurance Coverage Specialist Designation, allowing her to focus on the many challenges that equity lenders may face. Terri also earned her Paralegal Certification at Post University and continues to pursue higher learning.

Terri is currently located in Massachusetts and is dedicated to her daughter and her dogs. Her hobbies include gardening, decorating, crafting, and spending time exploring the beaches and mountains, with an emphasis on history. She enjoys reading and creative writing, hoping to publish a book within the near future.

She has also implemented changes within her local community and has had several local ordinances passed.

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Thomas D. Rosaschi – Esq., CPCU, ARM, ARM-E, RPLU

Senior Consultant 1268

Tom Rosaschi is a Senior Consultant at ICA, a licensed attorney in the State of Florida, and an advisor to clients in the private equity, hedge fund, real estate, and hospitality industries, among others.

Since joining ICA in 2015, Tom has advised U.S. and international Clients, their principals and financial advisors on holistic risk management and responsive insurance-program restructuring in connection with mergers, spin outs, acquisitions, divestitures and other material transactions. Beyond his transactional practice, Tom assists clients with complex first and third-party claims and litigation management and is also a senior member of ICA’s Claims Audit Consulting Practice Group.

Tom received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University where he studied economics with a specialization in financial markets. He received his Juris Doctorate from Ave Maria School of Law in Florida and clerked in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Tom earned the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation in 2017, the Enterprise Risk Management (ARM-E) designation in 2019 and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2018. In 2021 Tom also earned the prestigious Registered Professional Liability Underwriters (RPLU) designation from the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS). There are only 2200 professionals in the United States that have been awarded this designation.

A member of ICA’s Business Development and Public Relations Committees, Tom contributes to ICA’s publications, speaks on risk management matters in the community and assists with ICA’s pro bono work in the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan Area.

Tom is the Secretary of the Society of Risk Management Consultants (the premier global professional association for risk managers), is an active member of the Florida Bar Association and, outside of the office, enjoys traveling, exploring and hiking the globe.

Tom can be reached at trosaschi@icarisk.com.

Tina Korczak-Martinez – ARM

Senior Consultant

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Tina Korczak-Martinez – ARM

Senior Consultant 1270

Tina has been with ICA since 1998.  As a seasoned Senior Consultant, she is passionate about her work and the people with whom she works on a daily basis.  She prides herself on finding the best risk management alternatives that help her Clients achieve the best outcome. Tina believes that the best thing that she can do for a Client is to continually educate them on the potential risks they face and the benefits of continued improvements in their risk management program. This education includes the continual improvement of language in their insurance policies and the changes needed to secure the best coverage possible for their company.

Tina really enjoys helping her clients gain an understanding of the coordination necessary between the execution of a contract along with insurance policy compliance needed to meet the demands of the contract.  She has trained numerous Client’s risk management team members in what to look for in the contracts they execute that could create an uninsured exposure, breach of contract issue or hinder the potential to transfer risk that they otherwise would have been responsible for.

Tina’s portfolio of Clients include contractors, real estate and home builders, condo associations, retail, manufacturing, distributors, storage facilities, hospitality, healthcare, nursing homes, transportation, satellite services, food product distribution, energy companies, financial institutions as well as professional service companies that include rating bureaus, architects and engineers, etc.

Walt Disney said, “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”  Disney’s conviction prompted Tina to state that “I have always been someone that gives it my all, because I believe in what I do and why I do what I do. I also like what I do, so I work hard to be good at it.”

Tina is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management.  She has received her Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation through The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group.

Outside of the office, Tina enjoys spending time with her family, friends (and furry friends too), traveling and experiencing new things through the eyes of her children and watching her kids play their respective sports.

Tina can be reached at tkmartinez@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Vickie Meng – CISR, CIC

Consultant 3406

Vickie joined ICA in 2019 and has grown very quickly in her role as part of the risk consulting team. She works for the Managing Associate’s team as a Consultant to Clients. Vickie is involved in all aspects of Client servicing and works with a diverse portfolio of Clients that include restaurants, law firms, financial institutions, importers, real estate and others. She is adept at comparing the language in insurance policies and other documents to identify coverage differences that would better serve the Client wherever possible, as well as also maintaining her daily responsibilities to Clients that include the claims status of outstanding claims.

Previously to working at ICA, Vickie held finance positions in different industries, including a credit card processing company and an insulation contracting company. While the risk management industry is relatively new to her, Vickie has shown aptitude, willingness and eagerness to learn. She obtained her Insurance Producer’s license, Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation and her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research after being selected for ICA’s “fast track” program for standout colleagues. As a result of these achievements, she is now a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Vickie is continuing her education as she is currently working on attaining her CRM designation, which she hopes to complete by year’s end along with her Associate in Commercial Underwriting designation that commences in the fall of 2021.

Vickie earned her Bachelor of Arts (double major) in Finance and Sociology from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Her membership in the associations, MAASU (Midwestern Asian American Student Unions) and W.O.C. (Women of Color) allowed her to take leadership positions that promote multicultural differences and intersectionality between women of color. For recreation, Vickie enjoys hiking and swimming in her free time as well as creating art through acrylic pours and watercolors. She is passionate about travel and hopes to broaden her horizons through travel.

Vickie can be reached at vmeng@icarisk.com.

NEW JERSEY - AVENEL OFFICE

Marc J. Diamond

Associate / Principal

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Marc J. Diamond

Associate / Principal 1219

Marc joined ICA as an Associate/Principal in 1989. Having three decades of experience in domestic and international commercial clientele risk management and insurance consulting, Marc leverages his experience serving Clients nationwide in all matters concerning risk management.

The hallmark of Marc’s practice is providing client-focused service that brings customized solutions to complex risk situations, be they risk retention programs, captives, self-insurance, etc. without any vested interest in the solution. Marc’s services home in on each Client’s insurance policies and contracts, and he makes recommendations to provide a stronger insurance and risk management program. This includes seeking corrections and improvements, where necessary, and examining the client’s policies for errors, omissions, overcharges and other deficiencies.

Marc’s practice at ICA entails orchestrating the competitive marketing of the Client’s risk management program, implementing customized insurance specifications for the placement of the necessary insurance coverages comprising the insurance program of the Client. To appropriately advise the Clients he serves, Marc’s focus is only on the Client’s interest in order to achieve unbiased analysis of risk exposure and for designing the most comprehensive and cost-effective risk management programs, as a testament to ICA’s objective code of conduct.

Further, Clients depend on Marc’s services for insight and assurance to best organize, design and implement a certificate of insurance program to control and monitor insurance provided by third parties. This includes a comprehensive review of the Client’s certificates of insurance and insurance policy endorsements provided by the vendor, to ensure it adequately protects the Client and meets the contractual transfer requirements. After assisting the Client in determining the risk of financial loss from their operations, Marc takes pride in offering loss control and prevention recommendations, to better aid Clients in reducing the frequency and severity of claims. When losses occur, Marc is relied on to assist Clients in managing their claims, including loss adjustment and dispute resolution.

Marc currently manages many Clients across multiple industries (i.e. real estate, construction, retail, textile, etc.), including private, public and non-profit organizations, providing individualized and in-depth service as necessary to each Client. To properly advocate on behalf of Clients, Marc assures that every Client’s risk management concerns are confidential and properly protected. As such, Marc is able to leverage ICA’s influence in the marketplace based on the extensive client base that ICA services.

Marc obtained his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He is a longstanding member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants in the United States and also a Member of the Risk Management Consultants of Ontario, Canada

Marc can be reached at mdiamond@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Mehedi Hasan

Consultant

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Mehedi Hasan

Consultant 1248

Mehedi joined the ICA team in 2015. Prior to ICA he held a Client Management position with a global insurance brokerage firm servicing large accounts, which included a supermarket chain, truckers fleet, beverage wholesaler, language center, hearing aid company and an oil rig. Mehedi also held positions as account manager and a claims representative in the insurance industry, whereby as a Loss Prevention Investigator his tenured experience put him in charge of large retail big box stores. Prior to Mehedi’s business career, he served our country proudly and received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy.

Prior to joining ICA, Mehedi had extensive experience working for some of the most prestigious retailers in the United States which included Federated Stores (the parent company that owned Macy’s and Lord & Taylor), TJX (which currently owns TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods) and Linens and Things.  Mehedi’s responsibilities included putting together policies and procedures related to apprehension of shoplifters. His experience allowed him to implement loss prevention strategies for over 500 retail stores, including a comprehensive pre-stop internal policies and procedures for all loss prevention associates, supervisors and managers within the chain. This helped in reducing the number of non-productive apprehensions, reduced the number of false apprehensions, and ultimately the number of suits/claims as a result of wrongful apprehensions.

Mehedi recommends that businesses implement the appropriate strategies that would result in saving the business’ reputation and costs that otherwise would have been spent in fighting claims filed against their company.  Such strategies focus on increasing net profit and allow the loss prevention associates to be more confident while making a stop or apprehension.

Mehedi treats Clients’ operations as if they were his own and puts himself in their shoes in dealing with every aspect of their business needs. This allows him to best understand his Clients and provide them with comprehensive risk management and consultative services.

Mehedi can be reached at mhasan@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Sandi Kleinman

Consultant

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Sandi Kleinman

Consultant 1261

Sandi joined ICA in 1991 after almost twenty years specializing in personal lines insurance in the brokerage community where she serviced clients for their personal insurance needs. As a result of her ability to establish strong client relationships she is often thanked time and again from ICA’s Clients for her help and recommendations.

For the last 28 years Sandi has been servicing a Client portfolio on behalf of one of the principals, Marc Diamond, which includes businesses in the garment, construction, real estate, retail and wholesale industries. Sandi obtained her Associate’s Degree from Bergen Community College.

Sandi is an avid golfer and, if possible, would conduct all her business on the golf course.

Sandi can be reached at skleinman@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Vladislava Gliwa

Consultant

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Vladislava Gliwa

Consultant 1500

Vladislava joined ICA in 2013 and quickly exhibited her strong work ethic. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she majored in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Prior to joining ICA, Vladislava worked as a producer for a large insurance and financial services company. After years at ICA, Vladislava believes she has gained unparalleled experience in the industry, which inspired her to grow into the role of a Consultant.

Vladislava is driven by her success at ICA, a constant learning experience, as well as her life outside of work. Vladislava loves helping her Clients, especially in the area of safety and loss control as well as other risk management matters.

Vladislava can be reached at vgliwa@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

NEW JERSEY - LONG HILL OFFICE

Michael W. Gurval – ARM

Associate / Principal

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Michael W. Gurval – ARM

Associate / Principal 1223

Michael has been an ICA Associate/Principal since 1989. Prior to joining the firm, Michael spent twelve years in corporate accounting where he headed the finance and risk management departments of a large retail company, one of ICA’s clients.

Michael is the team leader of the Long Hill, NJ, office, where he employs his expertise in finance on behalf of clients. Michael’s practice group services clients that can be found throughout the United States and Canada. Michael’s group has a combined 100 years’ of experience handling all aspects of corporate risk management with a heavy emphasis on real estate. Each member of the team brings a unique perspective, honed through their backgrounds in finance, law, financial institutions and claims, which provides clients a superior depth of expertise. These clients, many of whom have been with ICA for over 25 years, are concentrated in the fields of real estate investment and development, private equity, commercial lending, property and asset management, habitational real estate and hospitality. However, the Long Hill office full client base spans the commercial spectrum, including law firms, franchisors, trucking, logistics and warehousing, health clubs, publishers and more.

Michael’s client industry experience includes real estate investment and development, private equity, construction, franchising, property management, hospitality, transportation and warehousing, health clubs and others. On a daily basis, Michael is involved with all aspects of corporate risk management, assisting clients with the transfer, elimination, mitigation and finance of their risk of financial loss.

Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science from Kean College. He has earned the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation through the Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group and is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

When not managing risk for others, Michael enjoys hiking and all outdoor sports.

Mike can be reached at MGurval@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Susan R.L. Bernstein – Esq.

Senior Practice Leader

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Susan R.L. Bernstein – Esq.

Senior Practice Leader 1267

Sue, ICA’s Senior Practice Leader, began her tenure with the firm in 1996 as a Senior Consultant.

Upon graduating law school, Sue completed a one-year clerkship with Assignment Judge Herman L. Breitkopf of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Thereafter, Sue was an associate with a private-practice law firm specializing in insurance coverage, and then went on to utilize her insurance-coverage expertise at a nationally recognized legal publisher, writing and editing legal treatises on various aspects of insurance law.

At ICA, Sue’s client industries include real estate investment and development, private equity, construction, franchising, property management, hospitality, law firms and lenders, among others. Sue’s practice focuses on contractual risk transfer, mergers and acquisitions due diligence, complex-litigation and claims management, auditing of insurance and risk programs, negotiating insurance programs, assisting with loss adjustment and risk management advice. In her spare time, you can find Sue in her recording booth narrating various voice-over projects.

Sue received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Rutgers College and her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law – Camden. She is a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

Sue can be reached at SBernstein@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Rachael Scheckman – CLCS, AAI

Senior Consultant 1257

Rachael joined ICA as a Consultant in the spring of 2018. Prior to that, Rachael spent almost 20 years working at both personal-lines and specialty-lines insurance carriers, where she honed her claims-handling skills. Rachael was also part of a start-up Managing General Agent where she was involved in every aspect of accounts from initial submissions, rating, quoting, binding, issuance of endorsements and loss control.

Rachael is our claims master, spearheading the claims investigation and consulting services for the Long Hill office. Rachael also provides full-service risk management consulting, including designing insurance specifications, insurance marketing, negotiating coverages and premiums, assisting in loss adjustment, establishing procedures to reduce exposure to loss and mergers and acquisitions due diligence. Rachael has developed a niche vertical for this practice working with Special Servicers. Rachael works alongside Special Servicers and Receivers assisting in all insurance related aspects of properties moving down the REO path to foreclosure, through the foreclosure period and until the property is sold. In addition, Rachael works on a portfolio of performing loans for a lender, approving borrower insurance information for closing.

Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with husband, 2 daughters and 2 dogs. She volunteers at many school-related functions and sports related activities for her children.

Rachael attended Kean University with a focus in business management. She obtained her Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist Designation from the National Underwriter Company in February 2019; and her Accredited Advisor of Insurance Designation through the Institutes in June 2019. Rachael joined the Society of Risk Management Consultants (SRMC) in the Spring of 2022. She is on the Education, Website, and Public Relations committees for the SRMC and is developing a podcast for the organization. She is currently pursuing the Associate in Risk Management Designation and after that has plans to pursue the Associate in National Flood Insurance Designation.

Rachael can be reached at RScheckman@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

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Jamil Handy – CPCU

Consultant 3767

Jamil joined ICA as a Consultant in 2021. He obtained a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Risk Management and Insurance in 2016. After graduating, he spent five years at a top performing regional carrier, primarily handling the underwriting of large habitational real estate accounts. A recipient of the 2018 President’s CPCU Scholarship, Jamil obtained his CPCU in the fall of 2018 and is currently the vice president of his local chapter.

Jamil consults on a broad range of risk and insurance matters for clients in real estate private equity, management, and development fields. Primary responsibilities include acquisition due
diligence, insurance marketing, contractual risk transfer and insurance requirements for leases, vendor and development contracts as well as managing the certificate of insurance review process for contracts in addition to claims management. Jamil’s unique perspective from his underwriting background is valuable in evaluating insurance proposals and negotiating coverage enhancements and rate reductions on behalf of ICA’s clients..

Jamil resides in Vermont with his girlfriend and spends his free time mountain biking, skiing, and boating on Lake Champlain.

Jamil can be reached at JHandy@icarisk.com or via Linkedin.

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Michael R. Gurval – CLCS

Risk Analyst 1510

Mike has been with ICA since 2007. He is currently a Risk Analyst and provides insurance policy auditing, exposure analysis and data-base management support to the Long Hill practice group.

Mike attained his Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designation in 2016.
In his spare time Mike, immerses himself in the study of language, including Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Mike also plays guitar, woodwinds and brass instruments.

Mike can be reached at MRGurval@icarisk.com

Lea M. Gurval

Risk Analyst

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Lea M. Gurval

Risk Analyst 3829

Lea joined ICA in 2020 after graduating from Emerson College, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Communications and a minor in Journalism.

She is currently a Risk Analyst and is training to be a consultant. Her focus has been claims analysis, maintaining client databases, evaluating exposure data, and auditing insurance policies. Prior to joining ICA full time, Lea worked part time as an administrative assistant and intern for Plymouth Rock Insurance Company.

Outside the office, Lea enjoys baking and exploring her new neighborhood.

Lea can be reached at LGurval@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Loraine M. Kraus

Office Manager

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Loraine M. Kraus

Office Manager 1512

Loraine has been with ICA since 1994, where she serves as the office manager of the Long Hill office. Loraine also provides data-base management, administration and full-service office support to the Long Hill practice group.

In her spare time, Loraine volunteers at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, NJ, and Father Hudson House – Center for Hope Hospice in Elizabeth, NJ.

Loraine can be reached at LKraus@icarisk.com

NEW YORK - SOMERS OFFICE

Steven Wines – ARM

Senior Consultant

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Steven Wines – ARM

Senior Consultant 1262

Senior Risk Management Consultant Steven Wines is  an experienced, accomplished risk management leader with a proven performance record of implementing change and effective cost saving risk management programs in construction, real estate, manufacturing, distributing, professional service companies and not-for-profit organizations.  His outstanding ability to develop, initiate, manage and maintain a cost effective and professional risk management department has been demonstrated countless times. He is able to quickly grasp, analyze and evaluate business essentials to balance operational costs against need.

His professional strengths include risk analysis, contract language review, risk transfer techniques, insurance marketing – including development of bid specifications, claims management – including P&C and Workers Compensation claims, development and implementation of loss control measures, premium auditing and allocation, insurance cost projections, insurance policy language and plan design, insurance policy audits – including negotiation of policy terms & conditions with broker, development and implementation of certificate of insurance/indemnification programs and Employee Benefit programs.

Steven Wines has been with ICA since 1988 and holds professional licenses in New York and New Jersey. He graduated from Fordham University with a degree in both Economics and Biology. He also has obtained an Associate in Risk Management from the Institutes Risk Insurance Knowledge Group.

Outside of ICA, Steven Wines is very active in his community serving as a long term member of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department as a Level 1 interior firefighter, NYS certified Emergency Medical Technician and CRP/First Aid Instructor. He is currently active with the Boy Scouts and is the Advancement Chairman of his son’s troop. Steven also is an accredited Firearms Safety Counselor providing safety training in several disciplines.

Steve can be reached at SWines@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Laurel Wines

Administrative Assistant

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Laurel Wines

Administrative Assistant 1473

Laurel joined ICA as a licensed insurance professional in 2016 working in the Somers, New York office. Laurel uses her extensive writing skills and abilities to provide insurance audit reports and draft the specifications for the insurance marketing efforts of ICA’s Clients, among other duties.

Previously, Laurel had eighteen years of experience in the market research field, having worked at several national market research firms as a specification writer. Laurel also has extensive experience, having worked as an office manager at physician offices, which required the filing and negotiating of medical claims.

Laurel has actively participated in community service projects in her hometown as a member of the Lions International Organization for the past seven years.

Laurel can be reached at lwines@icarisk.com.

FLORIDA - PALM BEACH GARDENS OFFICE

John Petillo
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John J. Petillo, JR. – CPA, ARM, CIC

Associate / Principal 1214

John J. Petillo, Jr., joined ICA Risk Management Consultants as an Associate/Principal in February 1987. John manages the Palm Beach Gardens, FL branch of ICA.

Throughout his career, John has developed strong expertise in risk management, property & casualty and health insurance coverage, safety and loss prevention and claims handling. His diversified client portfolio includes Clients in manufacturing and distribution including wholesalers, retail including supermarkets, real estate, construction, printing, fuel oil, advertising, jewelry, steel, entertainment and the service industry sector including law firms and environmental consultants.

His responsibilities include identifying risks from all properties and operations, auditing insurance policies, preparing insurance specifications and tailoring coverages to the specific risk and exposure needs of ICA’s Clients. He conducts negotiations with insurance companies and agents, prepares risk management manuals and assists in developing an in-house “Insurance Manager” to direct insurance operations. He also monitors all insurance services provided to Clients, including insurance companies, agents and others and reviews with management cost-saving alternatives.

John was with Natcontainer Corporation from 1975 to 1987, one of ICA’s Clients. In 1985 John was promoted from Controller to Vice President and General Manager. During this period of John’s professional career, he was a member of the Board of Directors, serving on the Executive and Underwriting Committees of a captive insurance company, domiciled in Grand Cayman. From 1971 to 1975, John held a senior accounting position with the public accounting firm of J.H. Cohn and Company.

His professional affiliations include membership with the Society of Risk Management Consultants, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants andAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants. John is also a former member of the Insurance Committee of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and Executives’ Association of New Jersey, the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, U. S. Chamber of Commerce and The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA).

John graduated Villanova University in 1971, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. His professional designations include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1977, Associate in Risk Management (ARM) in 1989 from The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) in 1997 from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.

John can be reached at jpetillo@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

CALIFORNIA - NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE

Michael Santulli

Michael A. Santulli – Esq., ARM

Associate / Principal

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Michael A. Santulli – Esq., ARM

Associate / Principal 1221

Michael A. Santulli. Esq., ARM is an Associate/ Principal and ICA’s ERM Practice Leader having joined ICA Risk Management Consultants in 2005.  Michael provides consulting services to the firm’s Clients in diverse industries including higher education, financial institutions, pharmaceutical and real estate developers as well as international non-for-profits and hospitality. Michael specializes in private equity/opportunity funds, high net-worth/single-family offices (SFO) and REIT structures.

Since 2011, Michael established, and has managed, ICA’s United States West Coast office in Newport Beach, California from which the firm services many of its largest West Coast and Asian clientele providing risk assessment, management and audit services as well as Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) services. Michael also serves as a key member of ICA’s “Disaster Planning and Business Continuity Support” practice group, which is tangential to his leadership role as ICA’s ERM practice leader.

Before joining ICA, Michael was General Counsel for the Cambium Group, a U.S. industrial development and sourcing firm developing manufacturing facilities through Southern China, Vietnam and Southeast Asia for various private equity firms and American/Sino joint ventures. Prior to earning his law degree, he worked as an Analyst for Kamine International Power Company, a U.S. Independent Power Producer (IPP) and development firm in Rome, Italy, developing and managing waste-to-energy power production facilities throughout Southern Europe in conjunction with ABB and GE Capital.

Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree from The University of North Carolina and his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and, upon graduation, received the National Barrister’s Award for excellence in oral advocacy. Licensed to practice law in New York State, Michael is a member of the New York Columbian Lawyers’ Association, First Judicial Department and the Society of Risk Management Consultants (SRMC) – serving as a Board Member from 2013 to 2015.

Michael currently lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife and four daughters and maintains a residence in Manhattan, New York.

Read more about our ERM services here: https://www.ica-erm.com/ 

Michael can be reached at msantulli@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

Sean Wu

Sean Wu, MBA, PhD

Director of Quantitative Projects

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Sean Wu, MBA, PhD

Director of Quantitative Projects 3489

Sean S.J. Wu joined ICA’s Newport Beach, California office in 2020 as a Consultant. He provides statistical, analytic and quantitative support within ICA’s ERM Practice Group using his expertise in quantitative analysis and problem-solving skills.

Sean majored in Finance in his undergraduate studies. After receiving his degree, he served in the Taiwanese Military and later as a Special Education teacher assistant in an elementary school. Sean started in a Master’s program in Economics at North Carolina State University and then went on to receive his PhD in Mathematics from NC State.

Prior to joining ICA, Sean worked in academia. He started his academic career as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Academia Sinica, the National Academy of Taiwan. He then worked as an Associate Professor at Soochow University in China. He was also a Visiting Scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

During his academic career, Sean published research papers in several prestigious academic journals. His research interests include probability theory, stochastic processes, mathematical finance, economics and inverse problems. He has advised and guided PhD, Masters and Undergraduate students in their research and has taught courses at various levels.

He is passionate about international travel, because it allows him to experience local life, nature, food and to achieve self-realization. In his free time, Sean enjoys reading, learning, meditation and practicing martial arts.

Sean can be reached at swu@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-sj-wu/)

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George Siekielski – MBA, CPCU, ARM

Consultant 2381

George joined ICA’s Newport Beach, CA office in 2019 as a Consultant having been in management and consulting positions with a national broker and developed expertise in many areas with a high-level focus on real estate property development and management as well as the automobile dealership industries.

George’s experience in the property and casualty industry includes contracts, Memorandums of Understanding, certificate of insurance, claims administration and loss control initiatives. He also created Emergency Response Plans, OSHA and safety training regimens assuring EPA compliance. George was a Dealer Insurance Specialist for General Motors (GMAC) and Chrysler in the south. He also worked as a Risk Manager for a large multi-location auto dealer that employed in excess of 1000 employees where he developed Risk, Loss Control and Claims Administration programs. Prior to these positions, his industry experience included Software, Independent Power Producers and Energy Industry firms. Through all of his experience, George has developed an extremely holistic view of risk management.

George graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and from Pace University with a Master’s in Business Administration. He also earned a Chartered Property and Casualty designation and Associate Risk Management designation from the Institutes Risk Insurance Knowledge Group, evidencing his commitment to professional growth and lifelong pursuit of education.

George can be reached at gsiekielski@icarisk.com.

Prastin Paul, MBA, ARM, AINS

Senior Consultant

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Prastin Paul, MBA, ARM, AINS

Senior Consultant 1254

Prastin Paul is a Senior Consultant responsible for all aspects of client servicing, including marketing, loss analytics and claims handling for a wide array of Clients in diverse industries that include real estate, not for profits, construction, higher education and financial institutions. Prastin also serves as the Chairman of ICA’s IT committee because of his knowledge, passion and interest in a very important area of concern to the organization.

Prior to joining ICA, Prastin gained experience in business management as an Operations Manager at Regraph Trading LLC, a reputed commodities trading firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and worked in Information Systems Management for a Non-Government Organization (NGO) in India.

Following his Bachelors’ degree, Prastin earned his Masters’ Degree in Business Administration (MBA), and Associate Degree in Project Management from University of California in Irvine. Prastin entered the field of risk management with ICA in 2016 and has applied his experience in business to gain a better understanding of the risk and opportunities facing ICA’s Clients.

Prastin earned the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation from The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group in 2017 and is currently pursuing his PhD in Business Management. He lives in California and works in the west coast office of ICA in Newport Beach, CA.

Prastin can be reached at ppaul@icarisk.com and via LinkedIn.

NEW YORK - SLEEPY HOLLOW OFFICE

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Gary D. Salt – ARM

Principal 1211

Gary Salt has been affiliated with ICA since 1981. His Clients’ industries include accounting, jewelry manufacturing, international trade, real estate, financial institutions, retail, transportation, hospitality, Education, service, communications and not-for-profits, among others. Gary has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Milton College and did his graduate course work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He holds the Associate in Risk Management designation.

Gary has been quoted in Crain’s and other business publications. He often speaks before a variety of professional forums and has frequently been called to provide expert witness testimony regarding insurance issues.