Board of Trustees
PRMA's Board of Trustees is comprised of member-elected representatives from high net worth insurers, producers and other affiliated groups who serve on a volunteer basis and are charged with setting the strategic direction of the association, overseeing the executive director and monitoring results and finances.
Rick Combs is President of Personal Lines for HUB International Florida. In this role, he oversees the personal insurance operations for all HUB Florida offices and is responsible for personal lines new business development and sales leadership throughout the state. Rick specializes in the high net worth and private client segment, building and strengthening relationships with centers of influence, and coaching and mentoring HUB personal lines and private client advisors throughout Florida. Before joining HUB through acquisition in 2015, Rick served as Vice President and Personal Lines Manager at Cooper, Simms, Nelson & Mosley for 16 years. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at Brown & Brown, working in personal lines, commercial lines, accounting and IT. He has served on national producer councils for Fireman’s Fund and Travelers, and was also a member of the Florida Insurance Commissioner’s “Task Force on the Use of Credit Reports in Underwriting Auto and Homeowners Insurance.” In addition, he served on FAIA’s “Model Partnership Panel” in 2011 which reviewed and analyzed the domestic carriers in Florida’s property insurance marketplace. Rick has obtained the insurance industry designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Chartered Private Risk & Insurance Advisor (CPRIA), Associate in Personal Insurance (API) and Associate in Automation Management (AAM), serves on the Board of Trustees for the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA) and received his AA degree from Valencia College. He and his wife Becky have two adult children and two grandchildren, and are active members of Orlando Grace Church.
Kimberlee Connell
As Central Zone Leader for Marsh Private Client Services (PCS), Kimberlee Connell provides strategic direction for overarching management of client advisory services, marketing and underwriting, business development, and operations related to the comprehensive personal risk management services delivered to high-net-worth individuals and families of this region. A seasoned personal insurance expert with more than 30 years in the industry, Kim has a deep understanding of the marketplace as well as the complex, unique exposures of the private client segment. Kim’s successful personal insurance career began at USAA where she held several key leadership positions over the course of 18 years. In 2001, she joined Marsh for the first time leading the Chicago office of the Private Client Services practice for three years. Kim then returned to the carrier side of the industry as Vice President of Customer Service at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company where she led more than 800 colleagues across multiple locations for personal and commercial lines. After eight years, Kim transitioned to the role of Chief Operations Officer for Willis Private Client in 2012 where she was responsible for the operational leadership of the personal lines and private client insurance businesses. Kim re-joined Marsh PCS in 2015 to lead the central zone. In addition to her business achievements related to her responsibilities within each of her firms, Kim developed a mentor program at Fireman’s Fund as well as a women’s networking chapter during her tenure at Willis. She is also a dynamic speaker on topics including women in leadership, operational effectiveness, mentoring, and driving for results. Kim attended the University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business in an executive management program while at USAA. She also attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
Robert Courtemanche
Bob Courtemanche is Senior Managing Director, Principal, and National Private Client Practice Leader for Risk Strategies Company, a Top-20 nationwide Property +Casualty and Employee Benefits Insurance Brokerage Firm. Based in New York, Bob is responsible for the national growth of the Private Client Practice focusing on the Risk Management needs of High Net Worth Clients and their advisors in the Family Office space. Risk Strategies has Private Client operations in wealth centers throughout the U.S. Bob has more than 35 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to joining Risk Strategies, Bob was Chairman, CEO, and President of Ace Private Risk Services. Bob was also former President of Firemans Fund Personal Insurance, SVP at AIG Private Client Group, SVP at Personal Lines Insurance Brokerage and various management roles at Chubb Insurance. Bob has been quoted in The New York Times, Reuters, Forbes, Fortune, Fox Business News, CNBC, and numerous insurance industry publications. Bob received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hobart College and attended the Executive Education Program at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Bonnie Brae School for Boys in Liberty Corner NJ as well as being a Founding Board Member of the Private Risk Management Association and Chair of the Education Committee.
William Gatewood
Bill Gatewood is Corporate Vice President for the Kaufman Financial Group and Director of Personal Insurance for Burns & Wilcox. In this role, he manages carrier relationships and is responsible for the growth of their personal insurance division across the US and Canada. Bill began his career with the Safeco Insurance company, rising to the position of Eastern Zone Underwriting Manager for Personal Insurance. Bill also worked for Chubb in Underwriting and Marketing Management roles and The Navigators Group as Personal Lines Executive. Bill is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri and an Army veteran. He has volunteered for many charitable organizations and serves as Treasurer for his local school district. He loves the outdoors and spends weekends with his family enjoying the splendor of Northern Michigan. Bill and his wife Julianne have three children.
Kaye Gitibin
Kaye Gitibin is the CEO of Go Rentals, the only car rental company specializing in private aviation, private client, and 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts. As CEO, Kaye’s primary focus has been on aligning the company’s unique business model with the day-to-day operations that live up to that vision. That means 25 years of experience building a brand that caters to high net worth individuals and successful families across the U.S. What started with one location has grown into 100+ locations and a proprietary, gold-standard training program that focuses on hospitality and etiquette. The result is the only Forbes-rated elite rental car company in the world for the last two years. Kaye also proudly sits on the National Business Aviation Association’s Leadership Council which shapes public policy, while also enhancing safety and security standards, and supporting members’ everyday needs in the U.S. and abroad. When he’s not working on the business of Go Rentals, Kaye travels constantly, with the goal to visit each office location (and there are a lot) once per year. He loves his Go Rentals family and spends as much time with them as possible – after all, it is a family-owned business and has been from the day they opened the doors.
Jerry Hourihan
Chief Growth Officer at PURE Group of Insurance Companies
Jerry has more than 30 years' experience in the high net worth insurance niche. Prior to joining PURE Jerry was at AIG where most recently he served as President of the Private Client Group for the U.S. and Canada, a position he held since 2014. Prior to joining AIG, Jerry worked at Chubb where he began his career and went on to hold a number of managerial roles in both the U.S. and Europe.
Kaye GitibinKaye Gitibin is the CEO of Go Rentals, the only car rental company specializing in private aviation, private client, and 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts. As CEO, Kaye’s primary focus has been on aligning the company’s unique business model with the day-to-day operations that live up to that vision. That means 25 years of experience building a brand that caters to high net worth individuals and successful families across the U.S. What started with one location has grown into 100+ locations and a proprietary, gold-standard training program that focuses on hospitality and etiquette. The result is the only Forbes-rated elite rental car company in the world for the last two years. Kaye also proudly sits on the National Business Aviation Association’s Leadership Council which shapes public policy, while also enhancing safety and security standards, and supporting members’ everyday needs in the U.S. and abroad. When he’s not working on the business of Go Rentals, Kaye travels constantly, with the goal to visit each office location (and there are a lot) once per year. He loves his Go Rentals family and spends as much time with them as possible – after all, it is a family-owned business and has been from the day they opened the doors.
Jerry HourihanChief Growth Officer at PURE Group of Insurance Companies
Jerry has more than 30 years' experience in the high net worth insurance niche. Prior to joining PURE Jerry was at AIG where most recently he served as President of the Private Client Group for the U.S. and Canada, a position he held since 2014. Prior to joining AIG, Jerry worked at Chubb where he began his career and went on to hold a number of managerial roles in both the U.S. and Europe.
Jim KaneJim is a Senior Vice President of USI Insurance in Valhalla, NY. Jim Kane began his insurance career in 1985 with General Accident Insurance. He has served in various roles with regional and national brokerages. Jim is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and International Relations. He continues to support his alma mater with participation in the Alumni Association including as President of the Notre Club of Philadelphia from 1996-1997. He has earned both the Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager designations from the National Alliance. Jim serves on the Executive Committee of the Southeastern Family Office Forum and as a trustee for Regina Dominican College Prep and the Private Risk Management Association. Jim resides in Newtown Square PA with his wife and family.
Bryant Kolle Bryant has been with Hagerty for over 14 years. His experience and expertise are wide-ranging including managing a niche claims team, leading Hagerty’s roadside assistance and affinity programs as well as launching their Specialty Insurance Division in 2012. In 2020, Bryant was promoted to Vice President of Agency and Broker Development. His role includes oversight of a team that works with over 41,000 agents and brokers nationally, as well as 6 personal lines carriers. His expertise focuses on the classic and enthusiast automotive lifestyle. Bryant also regularly contributes to discussions around the insurance market, classic car repair vehicle valuations, classic car auction market trends, B2B sales, and private client networking. Bryant graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science with a teaching certification. Bryant holds his Associate in Claims designation and is working towards CPCU. He resides in Traverse City, MI with his wife and daughter.
Lisa A. Lindsay, CPCU
Lisa Lindsay is the Executive Director of the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA). Lisa is a Senior Operating Executive with 25 years of insurance experience in a premier financial services organization. She has expertise in operational business design, client experience thought leadership and providing personal risk management solutions to high net worth individuals. Lisa’s success originates from the driver for results, passion for customers and the ability to create high performing teams characterized by consistent high colleague engagement results. Most recently, Lisa was the President of Marsh Private Client Services (PCS). PCS is the high net worth Personal Insurance Division of Marsh a global leader in insurance broking and risk management. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and The General Manager Program at Harvard Business School. She has been inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Leaders and has been recognized as an outstanding achiever by the NY Chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women. Lisa is an active member of several non-profit organizations both locally and globally.
Frances D. O'Brien
Fran is Senior Vice President, Chubb Group and Division President, North America Personal Risk Services. She has executive operating responsibility for the personal lines property and casualty insurance business that serves affluent and high net worth clients in the U.S. and Canada. Her responsibilities encompass strategy, production, product development and management, and P&L performance. Prior to ACE’s acquisition of Chubb in January 2016, Ms. O’Brien was Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer of Chubb, with global responsibility and oversight for identifying, measuring, monitoring and minimizing operational, financial and strategic risks across the organization. Ms. O'Brien has more than 35 years of insurance industry experience. She joined Chubb as an actuarial trainee in 1980 and served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility in actuarial, product development and underwriting, including Chubb Personal Insurance (CPI) Chief Underwriting Officer, CPI Chief Underwriting Officer for International Business, and CPI Worldwide Underwriting Manager. Fran holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Actuarial from Villanova University.
Jason Ott
As the National Director of Field Operations for Aon Private Risk Management, Jason is responsible for the day to day operations of a group of over 120 insurance professionals in 30 offices whose concentration rests in providing creative risk management solutions for high net worth individuals and families. Jason is passionate about providing world-class risk management and service to Aon’s clientele through continuous development and implementation of best practices, and by acting as a mentor for his diverse and talented team. Jason joined Aon thirteen years ago and has spent the last fifteen years focusing exclusively on the affluent personal lines insurance marketplace. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Simpson College in Corporate Communication and holds the designation of Certified Personal Insurance Advisor (CAPI) through the Wharton Business School.
Gary J. Pasternack
Gary Pasternack is a Principal and Director of Insurance Advisory at Bessemer Trust, the multi-family office with over $100 billion in assets under management. In 2002, Gary joined Bessemer Trust to establish the Insurance Advisory department as an integral part of the firm’s wealth management platform. Gary along with his team of insurance professionals works closely with the firm’s client advisors, legacy planners and tax advisors to protect and grow the assets of individual and family clients. Prior to joining Bessemer Trust, Gary was Vice President and Manager of U.S. Trust Company’s Insurance Consulting Group and a member of J.P. Morgan & Co.'s Corporate Insurance and Risk Management Department, where at both firms he specialized in designing and managing insurance programs for families, individuals, trusts, and estates. Before then, Gary was a Senior Underwriter at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies underwriting personal lines insurance. Gary has been quoted in The National Underwriter, New York Times and Wall Street Journal on insurance and risk management issues important to the wealthy.
Mary Russell
Mary is the Managing Director of Higginbotham’s Personal Insurance Department. Mary joined Higginbotham in 1990 and previously was a claims representative at America General Insurance for five years, where she adjusted property & casualty claims. Mary is a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and serves as a board member for the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. She also serves on the BBVA Compass Advisory Board and Stage West Theater Board. Mary previously served as a member of the PURE National Agents Advisory Council, Safeco’s Central Advisory Council, and State Auto’s Advisory Council. She has served as past president of the Forth Worth Claims Association. Mary volunteers with Arlington Baptist College, Blue Raider Athletic Association, Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities, Christ Church and Habitat for Humanity. Mary was awarded the JoAnn Heltibridle award by the Private Risk Management Association as a distinguished professional in 2016. She has received the Safeco’s Personal Achievement Award and was named Traveler’s “Personal Insurance Agent of the Year” in 2013. She has also been honored in the YMCA’s Tribute to Women.
William H. Van Den Heuvel
Will serves as senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company, one of the country’s top 25 property casualty insurer groups based on net written premium. He is responsible for running Cincinnati’s $1.5 billion personal lines division, achieving its goals including driving Cincinnati’s high net worth personal lines strategies. Will brings over 30 years of experience supporting independent agents in the personal lines marketplace.
Prior to joining Cincinnati in 2014, Will was chief operating officer and Executive Vice President for AIG’s U.S./Canada personal lines businesses including Private Client Group and Premier Client Solutions and Lexington personal insurance. Will also spent 13 years at Chubb insurance where he held a variety of underwriting and marketing leadership roles.
Will earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College.
Kathleen Zortman
Kathleen Zortman is President & CEO of AIG Private Client Group, part of AIG’s General Insurance business and a division of the member companies of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). She is a member of AIG’s Executive Leadership Team. AIG Private Client Group focuses on personal risk management for the world’s most successful individuals and families. With its tailored approach to personal risk management and longstanding relationships with leading independent insurance advisors, the Private Client Group crafts insurance and loss mitigation solutions for the unique assets, passions, and lifestyles of each family—with the goal of protecting the accomplishments of a lifetime. A 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, Ms. Zortman has proven her leadership and expertise through accomplishments on the carrier, broker and consulting sides of the business. Previously, Ms. Zortman served as President of Alternative Markets at QBE North America (NA) and was a member of the company’s Executive Management Board. The Alternative Markets (AM) business is comprised of three distinct segments (Programs, Personal Insurance and Westwood Insurance Agency) and is the programs and alternative distribution arm of QBE NA. She joined QBE in 2015 as President of Property & Casualty Insurance, QBE North America. Prior to QBE, Ms. Zortman was at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, managing an organization of 1,000 employees and $2.3 billion in gross written premium. In this role, she led distribution, underwriting and customer service across the Commercial, Programs, Professional Liability, Farm and Ranch, Entertainment and High-Net-Worth Personal insurance divisions. Prior to Fireman’s Fund, Ms. Zortman held leadership roles at Chubb, and Deloitte Consulting. Ms. Zortman was named by Business Insider as one of its 2017 “Women to Watch” for her outstanding work in risk management and commercial insurance. She was also an honoree at the Deloitte Insurance Women’s Executive Networking Event in 2017. Ms. Zortman has been invited to speak at several events and conferences including The Annual Insurance Executive Conference and MarketScout’s Entrepreneurial Insurance Symposium.Ms. Zortman earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing from Boston College, and graduated magna cum laude with a Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University.
Board Member Emeritus
William H. Van Den HeuvelWill serves as senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company, one of the country’s top 25 property casualty insurer groups based on net written premium. He is responsible for running Cincinnati’s $1.5 billion personal lines division, achieving its goals including driving Cincinnati’s high net worth personal lines strategies. Will brings over 30 years of experience supporting independent agents in the personal lines marketplace.
Prior to joining Cincinnati in 2014, Will was chief operating officer and Executive Vice President for AIG’s U.S./Canada personal lines businesses including Private Client Group and Premier Client Solutions and Lexington personal insurance. Will also spent 13 years at Chubb insurance where he held a variety of underwriting and marketing leadership roles.
Will earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College.
Kathleen Zortman Kathleen Zortman is President & CEO of AIG Private Client Group, part of AIG’s General Insurance business and a division of the member companies of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). She is a member of AIG’s Executive Leadership Team. AIG Private Client Group focuses on personal risk management for the world’s most successful individuals and families. With its tailored approach to personal risk management and longstanding relationships with leading independent insurance advisors, the Private Client Group crafts insurance and loss mitigation solutions for the unique assets, passions, and lifestyles of each family—with the goal of protecting the accomplishments of a lifetime. A 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, Ms. Zortman has proven her leadership and expertise through accomplishments on the carrier, broker and consulting sides of the business. Previously, Ms. Zortman served as President of Alternative Markets at QBE North America (NA) and was a member of the company’s Executive Management Board. The Alternative Markets (AM) business is comprised of three distinct segments (Programs, Personal Insurance and Westwood Insurance Agency) and is the programs and alternative distribution arm of QBE NA. She joined QBE in 2015 as President of Property & Casualty Insurance, QBE North America. Prior to QBE, Ms. Zortman was at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, managing an organization of 1,000 employees and $2.3 billion in gross written premium. In this role, she led distribution, underwriting and customer service across the Commercial, Programs, Professional Liability, Farm and Ranch, Entertainment and High-Net-Worth Personal insurance divisions. Prior to Fireman’s Fund, Ms. Zortman held leadership roles at Chubb, and Deloitte Consulting. Ms. Zortman was named by Business Insider as one of its 2017 “Women to Watch” for her outstanding work in risk management and commercial insurance. She was also an honoree at the Deloitte Insurance Women’s Executive Networking Event in 2017. Ms. Zortman has been invited to speak at several events and conferences including The Annual Insurance Executive Conference and MarketScout’s Entrepreneurial Insurance Symposium.Ms. Zortman earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing from Boston College, and graduated magna cum laude with a Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University.
Board Member Emeritus