Faculty

• Session: Cansure: An MGA Technology Case Study

Brock Andrew, BComm, C.D., has been COO since joining CSSI in July 2001. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba in 1989, majoring in both finance and computer information systems.

Before joining CSSI, he had a successful 12-year career as an officer in the Canadian Forces. While with the Canadian Forces, Brock demonstrated his strong operations management capabilities through progressive advancement, including positions held as the training officer for the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (Snowbirds) and deputy officer in charge of operations of an Operational CF 18 Fighter Squadron.

He has a strong background in programming, personnel management, task management and leadership. Brock has been instrumental in helping build CSSI into a company committed to delivering unique, effective, and profitable automation solutions that meet the needs of Insurance Brokers, Companies, and MGAs across Canada and now in the UK and US.

• Session: Will Technology Play a New Role in the MGA-Insurer Relationship?

Phil is Head of Beazley's Canadian operations. Beazley plc (BEZ) is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Beazley manages six Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2016, underwrote gross premiums of $2,195.6 million. All Lloyd’s syndicates are rated A by A.M. Best.

Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, which include professional indemnity, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.

Phil has more than 20 years of experience underwriting specialty and commercial insurance; he leads the team in all operations including underwriting, strategic initiatives and business development. He helps Beazley's professionals collaborate and leverage an extensive network of experts to find clients the right products to fit their specialty risks, while providing top-tier customer service.

• Session: MGA Industry Challenges

As President of ENCON Group Inc., David Cook is responsible for developing the vision and strategic direction of the company.

Dave joined ENCON as an actuary in 1992 and has gained extensive industry knowledge in his more than 25 years with the company. He was appointed Vice-President and Chief Actuary for ENCON’s Underwriting Management division in 2002, with responsibility for aggregate loss reserving and product pricing. In 2007, he was appointed Senior Vice-President, responsible for the underwriting review of large accounts and the provision of application handling and policy issuance services to brokers. In 2009, Dave was promoted to the position of Chief Underwriting Officer, and in 2016, he was appointed Managing Director.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo and has been an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS) since 1996.

• Session: Cansure: An MGA Technology Case Study

Cameron Copeland, MBA, CPA, CMA, FCIP, CRM, started his insurance career underwriting property and inland marine for AIG out of Vancouver, B.C. This led to leadership roles with national responsibilities, and eventually a partnership in Cansure in 2011. After merging the operations with Beacon in 2014 and focusing on developing scale and growth to the benefit of customers, Cameron assumed the role of President in 2017. As a leader, Cameron is focused on innovation and growth strategies and ensuring a strong and stable culture and operational platform that delivers excellent customer service and reliable results. Cameron attended Simon Fraser University’s Business Administration program and holds a Master’s Degree in Global Business and Marketing Strategy from Queens University. Cameron began his professional career in finance and business management, and continues to hold the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Cameron is a Fellowed Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) and also holds the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation.

• Session: Is Your Decision Process Responding to InsurTech Demands?

Selena Fredericks is Director of Marketing and Operations at A.M. Fredericks Underwriting Management Limited (AMFUM Ltd). Holding an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University in Political Science and Communications, along with a specialization in Strategic Communications, Selena spent 3 years working in media for a prominent advertising agency in Toronto, Ontario – and her time at the agency fostered her passion for all things customer service and client satisfaction.

Joining the insurance industry in 2010, Selena set her sights on improving the overall customer service experience at AMFUM Ltd. as it pertained to independent insurance brokers across Canada. This was largely achieved through a deep commitment to technology and computer program development within the company. Over the past 8 years, Selena has worked alongside IT to create a full-fledged IT department, with programmers on staff to develop systems and solutions for all the company’s needs – from quoting all the way to claims.

Selena also holds her Canadian Securities Certification (CSC) and her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker Certification (CAIB).

• Session: MGA Industry Challenges

David Harris, BBA, CIP, completed his Business degree at UNBSJ in 1991, and began his insurance career at Angus Miller in 1992 as an Automobile Underwriter. He completed his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation in 1998.

David has held a number of positions at Angus Miller, including Automobile Supervisor, Personal Lines Manager, and Underwriting Manager. He now holds the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Over the years, David has been very active in coaching hockey and basketball, as well as volunteering with various community organizations and the Insurance Institute of Canada. A lifelong resident of Saint John, David resides in the Millidgeville area with his wife and children.

• Session: MGA Industry Challenges

Gary commenced his Insurance career in the early 1980s, starting in a Lloyd's Broker as a ‘scratch boy’ running policy endorsements into the market, rising to the level of Director early in his career, which culminated in his participation in the management buy-out and subsequent floatation of the Lloyd’s Broker onto the London Stock Exchange. Leaving and starting a small boutique Lloyd’s Broker with 3 other Partners, in 1998, which expanded into North America with the establishment of 2 Lloyd’s coverholder MGAs, one in Canada and the other in the USA.

Gary moved to Canada in 2011 to run the North American interests of the Lloyd’s Broker, culminating in the sale of the Group in 2012, departing 2 years later and joining CHES Special Risk Inc. where he holds the position of President and CEO, He has guided the team to an award-winning MGA in 2016, and a FIVE Star MGA in 2017, Gary is also a founding member of the Canadian Managing General Agents, a national association established to represent more than 140 Commercial Insurance MGAs in the Canadian marketplace for the compliance and regulation of the industry, and to improve the education and understanding of the MGA arena within the wider insurance community in Canada.

• Session: Peer to Peer Insurance: What is the Hype About?

Kevin Huang is the Founder and CEO of Huang & Associates Analytics Inc. (HAA) and also serves as the CEO of Peer Circle Agency Inc. (a subsidiary of HAA). He has more than 20 years industry experience in both insurance and reinsurance.

Most recently Kevin was the Chief Risk Officer, Americas at AIG, before which he was the Head of Property Risk for the insurer and previously the Head of Analytics for Torus. Prior to his time at Torus, he was the Chief Risk Officer at CIG Re/New Castle Re, the reinsurance entities related to Citadel Investment Group (a hedge fund based in Chicago), where he gained valuable knowledge on insurance-linked securities (ILS). Prior to CIG Re/New Castle Re, he was the Director of R&D for ACE Tempest Re.

Kevin holds a Ph.D. Degree in Engineering from Clemson University and is a Fellow Casualty Actuary.

• Session: Brokers are Changing; Are you Keeping up?

Colin Marshall has held a number of positions in his nearly 15 years at his family’s independently owned brokerage in Barrie, Ontario. In his role as Vice President, Colin is focused on business development and broker mentorship, while continuing to be an effective producer of commercial insurance, with a particular interest in farm insurance.

Colin believes strongly in broker distribution and nurturing the relationships valued by consumers, who are looking for someone they can trust. He demonstrates this in part through his extensive community involvement, which includes serving on the board of directors of his local curling club and hosting the Will Marshall Insurance Brokers annual charity golf tournament. While he maintains that personal relationships are still king, Colin is committed to leveraging technology to help meet the needs of his clients.

Colin obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Laurentian University. He holds his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker Certification (CAIB), is a Deputy Principal Broker, and Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP).

• Session: Is Your Decision Process Responding to InsurTech Demands?
• Session: What Will New Technologies Mean For MGAs?

Jeff believes in the broker channel. Getting ahead of the insurtech revolution, he co-founded Digital MGA to provide Canadian brokers with product, technology, and digital marketing enablement. Digital MGA offers the Apollo platform free to qualifying brokers. Apollo provides quote-bind-issue insurance products white labeled for broker's websites, helping them automate workflows and compete on the digital landscape. Jeff carries the vision of an industry where computers do the work so people can build relationships. With a background as a broker and strong insurance industry fundamentals, Jeff empowers producers and brokerages to reach their digital potential.

Jeff was Insurance Broker Magazine Top 10 Under 40, and recipient of the Insurance Business Magazine Young Guns Award in 2018. He writes professionally for several publications including the Edmonton Journal, Vancouver Sun, National Post, and the Vancouver Province.

• Session: Is Your Decision Process Responding to InsurTech Demands?

Jad provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the company. His extensive knowledge and wealth of experience from previous leadership roles allow him to shape new opportunities and drive success for the organization.

Mr. McGregor joined ABEX in 2006 where he previously held the position of VP Business Development. Prior to joining the company, his experience includes several years with an insurance company and working in the London market at Lloyd’s.

Jad holds his HBSc from University of Guelph, as well as Chartered Insurance Professional and Certified Risk Manager designations.

• Session: Brokers are Changing; Are you Keeping up?

C.J. Nolan is vice president of business development and sales at Munn Insurance. He believes that quality customer service leads naturally to success.

“Insurance industry clients know it when a company treats them right,” he says. “If their insurance provider does not treat them in a fair, sensitive manner, they will move to one that does.”

That commitment to customer service has paid off; Nolan has been recognized as one of the top 10 elite brokers in Canada.

He has skill and experience in negotiation, Property & Casualty insurance, sales, excess, and employment practices liability.

Nolan graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

• Session: Brokers are Changing; Are you Keeping up?

Bringing over 30 years of experience in the life and property-casualty fields of the Canadian insurance industry, Kim Opheim is trusted and relied on to help organizations through the challenges and obstacles that stop them from growing their businesses.

In building relationships, Kim uses effective project management and natural facilitation to build consensus, occasionally breaking a tense moment with a touch of humour.

Kim’s experience ranges from principal in running a brokerage, to IT Manager, to VP Business Development with one of Ontario’s largest P&C brokerages. More recently, as Product Manager, he helped guide the primary software solutions for one of the world’s leading providers.

• Session: Brokers are Changing; Are you Keeping up?

I am proud to be part of the FCA leadership. At our independent full-service brokerage, we deliver practical and innovative solutions to commercial and private client customers across Canada and internationally.

• Essential insurance expertise in cross-border situations, for enterprises and individuals from US or abroad with operations in Canada;
• Industry advocate on technology, regulation and tax issues, driving real-world business solutions for FCA clients;
• Operations: Deployment and development, coaching and motivation.

I am past president of the Toronto Insurance Conference and past director of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada. I served for nine years as Technology Champion for IBAC, chair the TIC Excise Tax Committee, and participate on a number of industry committees in both Canada and the US.

My executive role at FCA includes compliance and head office and branch operations. I became a broker in 1984, after graduating with honours from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and arrived at FCA in 1985.