2024 OfficersPresident Vice President Secretary Treasurer Immediate Past President * Click on the board member's name to view a brief bio | 2024 Directors
Steve Adamjee, USI Insurance Services Robert Benvenuto, HUB International Paul Brandel, US Foods Ryan Fee, InvenTrust Properties Frank Griggs, Fresenius Kabi USA Raymond Hernandez, The Inland Real Estate Group, LLC Liz Venhuizen, Ozinga |
Biographies
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Steve is a Vice President, Producer for USI in the Chicago office. Steve is responsible for building and serving a robust clientele by consistently delivering financially impactful Risk & Insurance Solutions that exceed client expectations. Steve’s technical areas of expertise include complex property and casualty solutions, Financial Risk Management and Claims Analytics. He specializes in Alternative Risk Transfer solutions, large global property underwriting and M & A Risk Advisory and Transaction Liability products. Prior to joining USI, Steve began his carrier with a leading national carrier holding positions in both claims and underwriting for large national accounts. He then held a client executive producer role with another leading national brokerage. Steve serves as a board member of the Chicago Risk and Insurance Management Society, as well as an executive advisor of the Chicago Rising Risk Professionals. He also sits on the board of the Chicago Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Steve holds a BA in Organizational Communications from Michigan State University. |
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Gail Bartholomew
| Gail Bartholomew is the Global Insurance and Claims Manager for Nouryon USA, LLC, based in Chicago, IL. Gail is responsible for risk management, insurance, and claims management of Nouryon’s global operations. Gail is also involved in due diligence, contract review and M&A activities. Nouryon, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, was spun off from AkzoNobel in 2018. While not a household name, there are very few homes in the US that don’t have a component of Nouryon somewhere within. Gail joined AkzoNobel as Senior Risk Management Coordinator in 2001, and in 2005 left to accept the role of Underwriting Director with CNA where she managed a property and casualty portfolio of architect and engineering clients. In 2008 she returned to AkzoNobel as Risk Manager and went with Nouryon at the separation from AkzoNobel in 2018. Gail recently assumed the global risk management role for Nouryon. Her prior insurance background also includes brokerage, underwriting, and consulting roles. In addition to the RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) designation, Gail has the CRM, CIC, CISR, and CPRM designations from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. Gail and her husband Jim have a blended family of five children, their spouses, grandchildren, and a wide range of dogs across the households. |
Robert Benvenuto
| Robert serves as Regional Chief Sales Officer and member of the Midwest Executive Leadership & Management Team. He is responsible for driving corporate growth, business development and sales strategies across Hub International’s target client industries, products and market segments Prior to joining Hub International, Robert served in various Executive Leadership roles at Aon, Marsh (formally JLT Group) and USI. For over two decades Robert served as a Producer and Client Executive for global corporate clients such as BP (pre-and-post-Deepwater horizon), Honeywell International, Takeda - Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Sears Holding Corporation and General Growth Properties (pre-and-post-bankruptcy). In addition, Robert led large-scale engagement teams advising insurers such as AIG and Chubb (formerly ACE) on the design and implementation of strategic product distribution strategies across the Americas, UK, Europe, and Asia. Robert developed his Risk & Insurance expertise by producing and serving an array of large and mid-market companies and Private Equity sponsors across multiple industries since beginning his career as a commercial insurance broker with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in New York in 1988. Robert serves on the Chicago Chapter Board of the Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Co-Chairs The Chicagoland Risk Forum, mentors the Rising Risk Professionals group and is an active member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He received a degree in Economics from the University of Rhode Island and advanced studies in International Finance at Richmond College in London. Robert resides in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood with his wife and four teens/young adults. |
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Paul Brandel is the Risk Manager US Foods®. US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With nearly 30,000 employees and more than 70 distribution centers, we provide our customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. The company also operates over 85 wholesale warehouse stores and 14 processing facilities. These include 12 Stock Yards® facilities that provide high-quality center of plate, custom cut and packaged to customer specifications; Freshway Foods, a fruit and vegetable processor, re-packer and distributor; and Save On Seafood, a seafood processor and distributor. Paul began his career in 1999 as multi-line claims adjuster for Marriott International. Following Marriott International, he held multiple positions with Gallagher Bassett servicing both captive and self-injured clients. In 2007, Paul accepted the Claims Manager position with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and then accepting a Risk Manager position with Rockford Mass Transit District in 2010 and Waterton in 2014. Prior to his current position with US Foods, Paul served as the Risk Manager for Eby-Brown from 2016-2019. Mr. Brandel serves as a Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Advisor for the USLAW Network. He is a past President of RIMS Chicago Chapter (2018) and past chair of the Risk & Safety Committee for the International Foodservice Distributors Association (2016-2019). |
Kelly Croll has been a Senior Risk Management Consultant at Allstate for over nine years. As a Senior Risk Management Consultant, she oversees the agent error and omissions insurance program, property and other corporate insurance programs. She also manages corporate claims, including those under the corporate auto and general liability policies. In addition, she is primarily responsible for risk management contract review. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois in Linguistics and English/Rhetoric and her J.D. from DePaul University School of Law. Prior to working at Allstate, she litigated insurance coverage and complex litigation cases for over ten years. |
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Ryan Fee
| Ryan Fee is the VP of Risk Management for InvenTrust Properties Corp, a publicly traded REIT headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he has been for the last 6 years. In his current role, he is responsible for the strategic planning, development and implementation of all insurance and risk management programs including insurance policies, claims, loss control, identification and treatment of risk, Enterprise Risk Management, Business Continuity Management and management of InvenTrust’s Captive insurance company. Ryan began his career at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and transitioned from the rental offices to their third-party claims administration. He has also worked in the claims department for several third-party administrators, most recently as a Claims Supervisor and Account Manager for C.C.M.S.I., where he oversaw a team of claims professionals handling property, casualty, professional liability and worker’s compensation claims. Ryan has been in the risk management and insurance industry for over 20 years. Ryan graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor of arts in Risk Management and Financial Services. |
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Frank Griggs is Manager, Finance / Global Casualty Insurance - Risk Management at Baxter International, Inc. Baxter is an American multinational healthcare company in which primarily focuses on products to treat kidney disease, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. The company had 2017 sales of $10.6 billion, across two businesses: Bioscience and Medical Products. Baxter's Bioscience business produces recombinant and blood plasma proteins to treat hemophilia and other bleeding disorders; plasma-based therapies to treat immune deficiencies and other chronic and acute blood-related conditions; products for regenerative medicine, and vaccines. Baxter's Medical Products business produces intravenous products and other products used in the delivery of fluids and drugs to patients; inhalational anesthetics; contract manufacturing services; and products to treat end-stage kidney disease, or irreversible kidney failure, including products for peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. Gathering and maintaining data global renewal data to facilitate the global casualty insurance program (WC, Auto, OUS Auto, GL, and Product Liability) renewals, manage the TPA (Third Party Administrator) claims, review sales contracts are some of key functions that Frank’s provides. Prior to working at Baxter International Inc. Frank worked at Sedgwick CMS handling workers’ compensation complex claims for 4 National Accounts for multiple jurisdictions. Currently, on the committee of the Rising Risk Professionals (Social Committee) and heavily involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital doing multiple fundraisers throughout the year as I run multiple distances for the cause. Graduated from Northern Illinois University and have B.S. in Economics. |
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Raymond Hernandez is the Senior Risk and Claims Manager of The Inland Real Estate Group, LLC. Raymond first joined The Inland Real Estate Group as a Risk Management Analyst in August 2019 after having held roles in Risk Management at Crate & Barrel as well as working in E&S brokerage. In his role he manages the placement of various Inland entities’ insurance programs, oversees the claims management function, manages the RMIS solution, and serves on the ESG and cyber security committees. Raymond attended Illinois State University for undergraduate studies in Insurance & Risk Management and Mathematics as well as graduate school for his MBA. |
Carnell R. Jones
| Carnell R. Jones is currently the Risk Manager for Trinitas Ventures, LLC, a premier developer and operator of Student Housing and Multifamily properties in the United States. Carnell is primarily responsible for the company’s corporate insurance procurement, claims, loss control, and safety programs affecting development, construction, and property management. Before joining Trinitas, Carnell served as Corporate Risk Manager at Ventas, Inc. and was primarily responsible for property and general liability claims management and loss control programs for the company’s ~1,200 property medical office, senior assisted living, and research & innovation portfolio spanning over million square feet of property under management. Prior to Ventas, he was the Risk Programs Manager for Interpark Holdings, LLC, a Parking and Real Estate company headquartered in Chicago with 900 employees, 110 parking real estate assets with ~25 million square feet of property under management. Carnell holds a B.A. in Business Management with a Minor in Economics from Morehouse College and lives in the Kenwood neighborhood with his wife. |
Katie is currently an Account Executive for Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA). She practices in the Real Estate and Construction niche for MMA focusing on property and casualty solutions. Katie is responsible for overseeing the development of coverage analysis and risk management recommendations while negotiating coverage and pricing with markets for her clients. Prior to working at MMA Katie was Americas Risk Manager at LaSalle Investment Management. An independent subsidiary of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, one of the world’s largest real estate companies, LaSalle has a presence in every region of the world in which they invest. Gathering and maintaining global renewal data to facilitate insurance program renewals was the key function that Katie provided, while also assisting the US Asset Management group in contractual reviews and other matters related to asset acquisitions and disposals. Katie also spear headed the organization and management of LaSalle's ERM efforts and undertook RMIS implementation for LaSalle and a portfolio management enhancement platform. From 2016 – 2020 Katie was the Risk Management & Insurance Analyst at Rotary International, a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unit and take action to create lasting change. She worked with Rotarians, who are insured members, on coverages and policy placement for their captive and day to day operations. Additionally, she worked on the placement of a variety of additional insurance policies for the Secretariat and managed some of those claims. Katie started her Risk Management career as a Claims Representative for Sedgwick CMS handling liability claims for 2 national accounts. |
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Theresa Severson
| Theresa Severson is the senior vice president, insurance and risk at Kite Realty Group. She joined the company following its merger with Retail Properties of America (RPAI) where she served in a similar capacity for 13 years. In her role, Ms. Severson oversees risk management and insurance program for operational and corporate exposures, claims management, Business Continuity and Enterprise Risk Management. In March 2023, Ms. Severson was named RIMS’ Risk Manager of the Year, appeared on Captive Review’s Power 50-Captive Owners List and, on behalf of Kite Realty Group, accepted CICA’s, Outstanding Captive Award, presented to a captive insurance company that has shown creative uses for a captive, recognition, and a positive reputation among rating agencies, regulators, and colleagues in the captive industry Ms. Severson received her B.S. in Economics from Illinois State University. |
Liz is the Director of Risk & Insurance team for Ozinga a large construction / transportation risk headquartered in the Chicago area. Her team is responsible for managing Ozinga's diverse risk, maintaining its insurance portfolio and supporting the business. This includes contract negotiations, claim management and vendor compliance. She works closely with outside council and directs strategy on complex claims. Liz started a single parent Captive in Vermont to assist business with advanced Risk Management options. She continues to manage the growth and development of the captive. Liz is a Professional Member of RIMS the Risk Management Society, Chicago RIMS and of the VCIA. |
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Jack Williamson is the Claim Manager at LRS, which is among the nation’s leading privately-held waste diversion, recycling and portable services providers. LRS diverts and repurposes more discarded material away from landfills than any other comparable provider. Overseeing the workers’ compensation and liability claim programs is the principal function that Jack performs, while also supporting all other aspects of the overall risk management program. Prior to joining LRS, Jack worked as a claim professional for several insurance carriers, primarily in the area of workers’ compensation. Jack holds a B.S. in Finance with a Minor in Economics from Illinois State University. |
Seung Yoo is the Senior Director of Global Risk and Property Management at Steel Partners. Responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive global risk management programs and real property administration to effectively manage the company's insured property assets and protect the company from all potential or foreseeable operating risks. His past roles include Sr. Director of Global Risk and Property Management at Regal Rexnord Corporation, US Risk Manager for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, underwriter at Chubb and broker at ECBM. Seung received his B.A. in Risk Management and Insurance at Temple University and holds the CPCU ARM-E and ARe designations. |
