General Manager, Operations Safety, Inspection & Safety
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Jim has over 35 years of experience working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Jim is currently the General Manager Operations Safety, Inspection & Safety - Risk Management Division and is responsible for a team of Construction Safety, Fire Protection, Occupational Health, and Safety Management professional men and women. The PANYNJ is an agency that has high self-insured retentions for both liability and property exposures, which then turns to Lloyd’s of London, Bermudan and Continental European Insurance Markets for excess coverage. PANYNJ Risk Management involves the close coordination of Risk Control activities with the Risk Financing group, the Agency’s Insurance Brokers and Underwriters and facility management and Police staff to ensure the safety of the general public, tenants, and agency employees that travel through or work at our facilities. The PANYNJ also has a very large Owner Controlled Insurance Program which covers the Agency’s Capital Program construction activities Through the efforts of the Treasurer of the Port Authority, the Assistant Treasurer and Jim, relationships with the London, Bermudan and Continental European Insurance Markets have greatly improved and Construction, Liability and Property Insurance Underwriters now routinely visit the Agency’s properties. In addition to Jim’s efforts supporting the Agency’s Insurance Programs he serves on the Port Authority Safety Board and supports the operations of the PA AirTrain Safety Oversight Board.
Prior to his current position, Jim worked through a number of operational positions in the Agency's Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals, Port, and Aviation Departments. Additionally, Jim has worked as a management employee in the Treasury and Operations Services Departments. After transitioning into the managerial ranks, Jim gained experience as a Fire Protection Engineer, Police Safety Engineer, then supervised the Safety Management section of the Agency's Risk Management group and assumed the duties of Operations Manager.
Jim Keane is associated with both the American Association of Airport Executives, with an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) designation, and the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Senior Vice President & General Aviation Practice Leader
Marsh USA - Aviation
Joseph Braunstein has specialized in aviation insurance for almost 15 years. As general aviation practice leader at Marsh, he is responsible for all aspects of the general aviation portfolio. This includes corporate operators, rotorwing operators including all corporate and commercial – off- and on-shore helicopters, aviation service companies including ground handlers, maintenance repair and overhaul companies, aircraft charteroperators, fractional and aircraft management companies and other aviation-related business.
His responsibilities also include management of key client relationships, developing and implementing the business plan, documenting best practices, driving growth for the practice, fostering positive underwriter relationships, as well as leading renewal discussions for Marsh's largest customers. In addition to his responsibilities as the overall general aviation practice leader, Braunstein also oversees a large number of the New York and Pittsburgh aviation staff.
Before joining Marsh, Braunstein oversaw all aspects of the general aviation portfolio, including management of the budget, marketing and all sales functions, for another major brokerage firm. He started his career as an underwriter at a major insurance company in Philadelphia.
Jeb McPherson
Senior Vice President
Marsh Risk Consulting
Jeb McPherson is a senior consultant and FEMA project leader for Marsh Risk Consulting’s Forensic Accounting and Claims Services (FACS) Practice. Based out of the Atlanta office, Jeb’s responsibilities include supervising a staff of experienced professionals in the preparation and review of damages claims, valuations, and examinations where accounting expertise is required.
Jeb joined Marsh Risk Consulting in 2000 as a consultant, focusing his career on investigative accounting and the measurement of damages, with a specialty in FEMA recovery. The services provided include investigations of FEMA claims, insurance claims, fidelity loss analyses, construction claims, fraud examinations, business valuations, and loss of earnings calculations.
Jeb continues to focus his practice in providing forensic accounting services to public entities after major catastrophic events. He has assisted public entities (state agencies, local governments, and private nonprofits) recover millions of uninsured losses from FEMA after declared disasters. Jeb is well versed in the Stafford Act and understands FEMA’s Public Assistance Guide.
Additionally, Jeb has prepared expert reports on behalf of Public Entities under alternative dispute resolution proceedings including appraisals and mediation.
Prior to joining Marsh, Jeb served as a senior auditor for the Reznick Group and performed independent audits of financial statements.
Robert W. O’Brien
Managing Director
Marsh, National Claims
Robert W. O’Brien, Managing Director of Marsh USA, Inc. is a senior property claims officer of Marsh USA, Inc.’s National Property Claims Practice. Part of Mr. O’Brien’s responsibilities is promulgating an equitable resolution for Marsh USA’s clients for their first-party Property and Time-Element losses.
Mr. O’Brien is one of the senior property claims liaison officers for Marsh’s major property markets, including FM Global, CNA, Chartis and Lexington Insurance Companies. Mr. O’Brien works closely with Marsh USA senior Global Broking and Client Advisory personnel in developing manuscript language for Marsh property clients. Mr. O’Brien is also a resource on the practical and historical interpretation/ application of various property policy coverage provisions.
Mr. O’Brien works closely with Global Claims Leadership on the development and implementation of Marsh’s Catastrophe Response Plan which allows Marsh USA, Inc. to respond to clients claims following a natural or man-made catastrophic incident. He also coordinates the Marsh Property Claims response immediately following a catastrophic event.
Mr. O’Brien began his career in 1980 with Johnson & Higgins and subsequently became part of the Marsh organization. Mr. O’Brien attended The College of Insurance. During Mr. O’Brien’s career he has been intimately involved with many large, complicated losses involving the oil and gas, chemical industry, as well as the manufacturing, hospitality, multi family dwelling, mercantile and financial institution businesses, including several larger losses arising from the World Trade Center attack of 9/11/01 as well as numerous losses from recent active Hurricane Seasons and the Haiti Earthquake including resolution of several complex claims for several large retail clients as well as clients in the hospitality, chemical and manufacturing industries.
Mr. O’Brien holds licenses in Virginia and Washington, DC as a Property & Casualty Agent and as a Property & Casualty Consultant.
Concurrent Session 4A
Employment Practices and Professional Liability
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Stan Van Ostran
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Stan Van Ostran has been the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority since 2008, with responsibilities for Finance, Properties, Procurement, Business Development and Risk Management. In 2012, Stan was named “CFO of the Year” by the Nashville Business Journal. Stan is an International Airport Professional and Accredited Airport Executive. He is also an Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Chartered Global Management Accountant, Certified Financial Services Auditor, Certificate in Risk Management Assurance and Certified Procurement Officer. Stan holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa and practiced law as counsel for Oklahoma’s largest commercial insurance carrier and in private practice with emphasis in securities and financial transactions. He previously served the State of Oklahoma in several management roles, including lead positions with the Oklahoma Department of Central Services, Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority, and the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, where he administered statewide programs for purchasing, risk management, fleet and property management services, and bond administration and financing. Stan was instrumental with the Oklahoma Lottery Commission having the fastest start up of modern day lotteries, beginning operations shortly after the lottery was authorized. Stan previously worked as an internal auditor for McDonnell Douglas Corporation, then the nation’s largest aerospace and defense contractor, and began his career as an auditor for a large CPA firm.
Linda Hines
Senior Vice President
Willis
Linda’s clients include a number of public, private and non-profit organizations. She works closely with established and emerging companies in the areas of Directors and Officers, Fiduciary, Employment Practices, Professional and Cyber Liability. She served as Assistant General Counsel and Director of Corporate Services for a privately-held company for nearly 8 years. Previously, she held positions in commercial lending, marketing and human resources with a major financial institution.
Linda’s responsibilities include the strategy development, marketing and placement of all FINEX coverages. She is also responsible for day to day responses to all issues and concerns raised by clients she works with on FINEX issues and related matters, as well as coordinating other resources from within her practice group.
Linda has more than 25 years of brokerage and risk management experience. She is based in Atlanta and serves our clients in all parts of the U.S. and abroad.
Linda has a Juris Doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law and a B.S. from Mankato State University. She has earned the Registered Professional Liability designation from the Professional Liability Underwriting Society and the Associate in Risk Management designation from the Insurance Institute of America.
Concurrent Session 4B
Legislative & Regulatory Risk
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Bill Hoyt
Insurance Risk Manager
Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission
Bill Hoyt is the Insurance Risk Manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) which owns and operates the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and 6 regional airports. The Commission is finalizing $3B of construction that started in1997. In addition, the Commission participated in a Light Rail Transportation project which involved the construction of two 1.7 mile tunnels and a station under the international airport.
Prior to joining MAC in 1996, he worked in risk management and operations for several entities in addition to an insurance broker.
He holds a BA from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and a MS from Central Missouri State University. He is a Certified Safety Professional.
Deborah C. McElroy
Interim President
Airports Council International – North America
Deborah McElroy serves as Interim President and Executive Vice President, Policy and External Affairs. McElroy joined ACI-NA in December 2006 as Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, after serving for seven years as the president of the Regional Airline Association (RAA)
McElroy assumed her position as Executive Vice President, Policy and External Affairs in August 2007 where she oversees the government affairs, communications and marketing, safety and security, environmental and technical operations departments, coordinating policy and regulatory issues to effectively advance the airport industry agenda.
Prior to joining RAA in 1987, McElroy was employed by the U.S. International Trade Commission as their senior aerospace industry analyst and the U.S. Department of Labor as an international economist.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, with a degree in economics, McElroy has more than 25 years of experience in aviation, regulatory and trade issues.
Concurrent Session 5A
Challenges in Establishing Insurance Requirements
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Norma Essary
Vice President of Risk Management
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Norma Carabajal Essary is the Vice President of Risk Management at DFW International Airport (DFW), the fourth busiest Airport in the world. She is also one of the highest-ranking Latinas in the aviation risk management industry worldwide. In her role, she is responsible for the enterprise’s risk management, occupational health and safety, property/casualty, workers’ compensation, family and medical leave, short/long term disability, absence management, return to work programs, ADA and reasonable accommodation, employee assistance program, drug testing, ergonomic/fitness for duty compliance, DFW LiveWell (wellness) program, and HIPAA privacy and security compliance.
She has a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University. Other accredited risk management designations include a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
Norma also oversees a construction specific, $2.1B Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program which will support the Airport’s capital development projects over the next 7 – 10 years. The comprehensive controlled insurance program is designed to include the following components: Administration, Contractor Enrollment, Background Screening, Site Badging, Claims and Medical Service Management, Safety Training, Capital Assistance and Surety Bonding, and Drug Testing programs. The program is expected to impact more than 8 - 10,000 construction industry workers employed in the development of the Airport’s infrastructure.
Among Norma’s achievements include the Integrated Disability Program overseeing the organization’s absence management practices, and the implementation of the Airport’s first wellness program and LiveWell Advisory Council, whose goals are to improve the health culture, employee well being, and organizational productivity. She also serves as the Chief Risk Officer of the Risk Council for the Airport’s Enterprise Risk Management Program which works to support business strategy with risk assessment oversight processes.
She has been named by D CEO Magazine as one of the Top Risk Management professionals (2012) and was an honoree of the Dallas Business Journal (DBJ) 2012 Women in Business Awards. Other awards include the 2012 DBJ North Texas Healthiest Employer Award; recipient of the Texas Public Risk & Insurance Management (PRIMA) Achievement Award for Integrated Disability (2011), LiveWell Program (2008), and Enterprise Risk Management (2008); Champions in Health Recipient, American Heart Association – Worksite Innovation, Platinum Award for years 2011, 2010, and 2009, and the Texas PRIMA - 2009 Risk Manager of the Year for State of Texas.
Johnny Fontenot
Executive Vice President
McGriff, Seibels & Williams – a Division of BB&T
Johnny Fontenot is the Executive Vice President for McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc, a division of BB&T, Inc. Johnny attended McNeese State University in Louisiana before starting his insurance career as a Claims Adjuster for GAB. Johnny then spent 9 years as Claims and Risk Manager for multiple governmental entities before joining Sedgwick as a Broker specializing in public entities in 1993. Johnny has also served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Public Risk Management Association. Johnny is a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, and has the Associate of Risk Management and Associate of Claims designations. Johnny is a frequent speaker both nationally and locally on public risk management issues and has been a guest lecturer at multiple university risk management schools.
Robert Waggoner
Senior Vice President
McGriff, Seibels & Williams – a Division of BB&T
Robert Waggoner is Senior Vice President in the Public Entity Division for McGriff, Seibels, and Williams, Inc, a division of BB&T, Inc. Robert holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Certified Governmental Benefits Administrator (CGBA) designations. Prior to joining McGriff, Robert was Risk Manager and Risk Specialist for multiple governmental entities. Robert served six years on the Texas Public Risk Management Association Board of Directors, and was named Risk Manager of the Year by TX PRIMA in 2002. For the past ten years, Robert has provided insurance brokerage services and risk management consulting to multiple Public Entities across the United States. Robert is a frequent speaker at National and State Risk Management conferences.
Concurrent Session 5B
Construction Risk
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Stan Van Ostran
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Stan Van Ostran has been the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority since 2008, with responsibilities for Finance, Properties, Procurement, Business Development and Risk Management. In 2012, Stan was named “CFO of the Year” by the Nashville Business Journal. Stan is an International Airport Professional and Accredited Airport Executive. He is also an Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Chartered Global Management Accountant, Certified Financial Services Auditor, Certificate in Risk Management Assurance and Certified Procurement Officer. Stan holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa and practiced law as counsel for Oklahoma’s largest commercial insurance carrier and in private practice with emphasis in securities and financial transactions. He previously served the State of Oklahoma in several management roles, including lead positions with the Oklahoma Department of Central Services, Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority, and the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, where he administered statewide programs for purchasing, risk management, fleet and property management services, and bond administration and financing. Stan was instrumental with the Oklahoma Lottery Commission having the fastest start up of modern day lotteries, beginning operations shortly after the lottery was authorized. Stan previously worked as an internal auditor for McDonnell Douglas Corporation, then the nation’s largest aerospace and defense contractor, and began his career as an auditor for a large CPA firm.
Mindy Price
Chief PACE Setter
Direct Effect Solutions
Direct Effect Solutions, Inc. is a DBE, FBE and EDGE designated company. DES is a nationally recognized aviation consulting firm that brings to the team a great wealth of expertise and experience working with airport executives to execute enterprise level programs to increase work performance.
Mindy Price’s professional experience spans more than 25 years of consulting, strategic planning and enterprise level organization management. She has spent the past six years immersed in consulting projects for airports across the country. She has spoken at multiple aviation conferences for ACI and AAAE to provide the expertise back to the aviation community. She has recently completed two ACRP research projects include ACRP 01-18 “Application of Enterprise Risk Management at Airports” and ACRP 06-02 “Airport Leadership Development Program”. Her work in aviation focuses on executing strategic enterprise level programs including implementing her copyrighted ‘PACE System’, a workforce management methodology.
General Session 4
Environmental Risk
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Frank Rivera
Director of Risk Management and Workers’ Compensation
Massachusetts Port Authority
Frank has 16 years of public sector insurance experience with the last 5 at Massport.
Frank is currently the Director of Risk Management & Workers’ Compensation. The Risk Management Unit is responsible for identifying and eliminating risks that present a threat to the Authority’s profitability and organizational success. The Unit is also responsible for providing expertise to all Authority Units in the areas of claims management, risk transfer and risk financing. Frank is also responsible for oversight of the Authority’s self insurance fund.
Frank received a BS in Political Science from Salem State College.
Frank and his wife Linda reside in Lynnfield MA.
Veronica W. Benzinger
Managing Director – Chief Broking Officer
Aon Risk Solutions – Environmental Practice Group
Veronica Benzinger is a Managing Director and Chief Broking Officer of Aon Risk Solutions’ Environmental practice. She is responsible for leading the environmental broking team Nationally and manages the Southeast region. Ms. Benzinger specializes in finding solutions for clients that address their environmental risks. She designs and implements complex environmental risk management programs for clients worldwide. Her responsibilities include coordination of specialized environmental marketing/brokerage resources in the implementation of integrated environmental risk management programs.
Ms. Benzinger’s experience includes thirty years in commercial insurance. During her time with Aon she has served as Department Manager, Group Leader and Account Executive and her responsibilities have included all areas of account management and team coordination. She holds a BBA from Hofstra University. Recognized as Environmental Power Broker by Risk and Insurance Magazine in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Ms. Benzinger is also a Board Member of Mayor of Miami-Dade County’s Sustainability Advisory Board.
General Session 5
Challenges in Validating Insurance Requirements and Compliance
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
ACI-NA speaker biographies
Scott Gibbons
Vice President of Administration
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Scott Gibbons is the Vice President of Administration for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), a position he has held since August, 2011. Scott has been employed by CVG since 2002 and previously served as the Airport’s Director of Contract & Procurement Administration; Senior Manager of Contract Administration & Risk Management; and Risk Manager.
Scott has been actively involved in Airport’s Council International (ACI) since 2006. Scott is currently a member of the risk management committee steering group and served as the committee’s chairman in 2007. Scott is also a past member of the economic committee steering group.
Scott earned a master’s degree in Air Transportation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has served as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle’s Cincinnati Area Campus. Scott also holds a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Justice & Safety.
Scott completed the FAA’s basic and advanced Airport Safety & Operations Schools in 2005 and earned his Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives in 2009. Scott is currently pursuing the International Airport Professional (IAP) designation through the joint ACI-ICAO Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program. Scott is also a 2012 graduate of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce C-Change program.
Prior to joining CVG, Scott was employed by the City of Newport, KY. Scott resides in greater Cincinnati with his wife and three children.
Jeff Hollingsworth
Risk Manager
Port of Seattle
Mr. Hollingsworth has served as the Risk Manager for the Port of Seattle for the past ten years. The Port of Seattle is a special purpose government formed in 1911 under enabling legislation in the State of Washington and has the authority to run Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In addition to the airport, the Port of Seattle is a landlord/owner for various marine container terminals, cruise ship facilities, a grain terminal, marinas, and various real estate holdings within King County, Washington.
The Risk Manager’s position is a senior management position that reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The Risk Manager is responsible for the Port’s Risk Management Department which provides support and expertise to all Port Divisions in the areas of loss prevention, risk transfer, construction risk, claims management, enterprise risk management, self-funding of benefits, and general risk financing. Highlights in the past two years include moving the Port to a self-funded model for medical and dental benefits and conducting two enterprise risk management assessments.
Prior to the Port of Seattle, Mr. Hollingsworth spent time working for the FAA-Northwest Regional Office on fire and life safety programs for new air traffic control towers; with the Boeing Corporation; and in various assignments doing loss prevention consulting. He has been employed in various professional capacities involving risk management since 1986.
Designations include being a licensed professional engineer, in civil and fire protection in Washington State; and holding industry designations to include the Certified Safety Professional (CSP); the Certified Risk Manager (CRM), the Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
Education includes a BS in Civil Engineering from Montana State University and a MBA from the University of Washington.
