CIWA Committees

CIWA is proud to have the tremendous support of our volunteer committees. Each committee contributes to the overall success of CIWA and works hard to deliver more value to our members. If you would like to learn more about CIWA committees, please contact any committee member listed below or contact CIWA Headquarters directly at 215.532.1500 or by emailing Jennifer Zolkos at jzolkos@accolademgt.com. 

Communications Committee

Mission: To keep wholesale insurance professionals aware of CIWA, its mission, vision and goals. Key areas of focus are to communicate the benefits of CIWA and keep our members up-to-date on topics and legislation impacting our industry. Further, the communications committee will raise awareness and promote CIWA events, training and educational opportunities through multiple channels.

Chair: Mark Kaufman | Western Security Surplus | 818.749.1367 | markkaufman@wssib.com

Members:
Shawnae Bentley, Munich Re
Tom Bunke, Westcap Insurance Services
Tina Epstein-Abrams, Topa Insurance Company
Anita Nevins, Direct Connection Advertising & Marketing

Education Committee

Mission: To provide CIWA members with timely, relevant and critical educational information through multi-channel efforts (CIWA Events, CIWA website, etc.). Further, the committee will find new and engaging ways to enhance our education offerings and bring additional value to CIWA members and member companies. Key areas of focus are to ensure the most relevant topics and speakers are in place for our two annual conferences and to expand our educational offerings and value for all CIWA members.

Chair: Katie Freeman, Independent 

Members:
Kristi Dean, Stone Dean Law
Tony Joseph
Peter Schifrin, SGD, Inc. 
Kathy Schroeder, Sierra Specialty

Legislative Committee

Mission: To perpetuate the advocacy of California Wholesale Insurance Professionals through its legislative efforts working closely with our legislative liaison, John Norwood.

Chair: Paul Laufer, Gorst & Compass | 818.507.0900 | plaufer@gorstcompass.com

Members:
Tim Chaix, R.E. Chaix & Associates
Eirik Fulton, Westcap Insurance Services
Hank Haldeman, The Sullivan Group
Rupert Hall, M.J. Hall & Company
David Hauge, Michelman & Robinson

Membership Committee

Mission: To advocate for membership of the California Wholesalers Insurance Association. Main responsibilities include creating and researching new ways to bring value to existing members as well as ways to bring new members into CIWA. Key area of focus is to not only seek new membership, but stay in tune and anticipate what existing members need. Additionally, the Membership Committee will work with the communications committee to market and communicate about CIWA’s two annual events and grow our attendance with potential and existing members.

Chair: Bryan Clark, Gorst & Compass | 818.507.0900 | bclark@gorstcompass.com

Members:
Yana Connors, CK Specialty
Tony Manzitto, JLT Re
Emil Moskowitz, Cal Inspection Bureau
Susie Ramirez, E&S Inspections
Kyle Stevens, Western Security Surplus

CIWA FUTURE Committee (Under 40)

Mission: To connect insurance professionals under 40 and to provide a regional forum for communicating with young professionals in the industry. This is a new committee that we feel is critical to the future of CIWA and can provide great benefit to our members by connecting them with young talent. This committee will also assist in partnering with California-based RMI programs to connect and place young talent in the California wholesale community. 

Chair: Alexia Chamblee, IFG Companies | 480.500.3683 | archamblee@ifgcompanies.com

Members:
John Anthony, MUSIC
Devon Borisoff, Monarch E&S
Veronica Davis, Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company
Paul Laufer, Gorst & Compass
Sarah Nenaber, MUSIC
Delaney O'Brien, Topa Insurance Group
Tim Tokuda, Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company
Colby Waltenburg, Coastal Brokers