our Leadership

Josh has over 20 years of experience in MGA and wholesale insurance underwriting and brokering. He has previously held positions at Strata Underwriting Managers, Towerstone, Inc., and USG Insurance Services.

Walter Juergens is Novatae's Chief Financial Officer. He brings more than 15 years of finance leadership experience across insurance, professional services, and complex project-based businesses. He began his career at KPMG, spending seven years in audit roles from associate to manager, building a rock-solid foundation in financial accounting, reporting, and compliance. 

Most recently, he served as Regional CFO at AssuredPartners, overseeing multi-state operations and partnering closely with business leaders to drive profitable growth, strengthen forecasting, and scale finance processes. 

Kimberly brings over 25 years of experience in operations leadership and administration, mergers and acquisitions, regional and national sales management, and business development.

As Chief Operating Officer, she leads Novatae’s operations and business strategy, driving initiatives that support profitable growth through enhanced operational effectiveness and efficiency. Her focus includes evolving systems and infrastructure, and developing best-in-class client solutions to deliver exceptional experiences. Kimberly is a key member of the Novatae Executive Leadership team.

Before joining Novatae, Kimberly served as Head of Strategic Planning and previously as Chief M&A Officer at DUAL North America. Prior to that, she led operations for large accounts at Willis Towers Watson and held leadership roles at Nielsen and Hewitt Associates. She holds an MBA from DePaul University's Driehaus College of Business and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Ken Pagliughi brings more than 25 years of legal and insurance expertise to his role as Chief Legal Officer at Novatae. His career began on the front lines as an insurance broker, providing him with a practical understanding of the industry that continues to guide his approach today. He later transitioned into senior legal roles at NFP, where he advised on complex transactions and compliance matters, before founding his own law firm.

Having worked closely with Novatae as outside counsel, Ken developed a deep appreciation for the company’s entrepreneurial culture and collaborative spirit. Now, as part of the Novatae team, he leads the legal team, supporting contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, and risk management, while serving as a trusted advisor to the business.

Ken holds a B.A. from Adelphi University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. He is based in New York City.

Clay brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with a strong focus on business development and national relationship management. He has a proven track record of driving growth, strengthening partnerships, and expanding market opportunities across the industry.

Known for translating market insights into actionable strategies, Clay consistently delivers results. Based in Florida, he holds a degree in Finance and Economics from Robert Morris University. Clay combines deep industry expertise with a relationship-first mindset, making him a valuable addition to the team and a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike.

Jessica brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic HR Business Partner, with a strong track record of collaborating with executive leaders to align people strategies with business goals, drive organizational effectiveness, and support transformational change. She is highly regarded for her expertise in talent management, workforce planning, leadership development, and employee engagement.

Throughout her career, Jessica has held senior HR leadership roles within the financial services and insurance industries. A graduate of Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Jessica brings a strategic, thoughtful approach to delivering impactful HR solutions and strengthening organizational performance. 

Craig brings extensive leadership experience across insurance, healthcare, and financial services. He has held senior finance roles at Ethos/Ascot, Centene, Marsh, and AIG, earning a reputation for driving strategic clarity, operational discipline, and organizational transformation. 

Skilled in strategic planning, FP&A, and navigating complex regulatory environments, Craig excels at leading teams through critical transitions and strengthening financial performance. His expertise spans budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, regulatory reporting, risk adjustment, and mergers and acquisitions. 

 

Emily Kohl brings more than a decade of experience in financial and professional services, with a strong background in leading integrated marketing strategy. She has a proven track record of driving impactful campaigns, enhancing advisor communications, and strengthening brand growth across the organizations she supports. Known for her collaborative approach, Emily is passionate about developing strategies that deliver measurable results while fostering alignment and engagement across teams.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from St. Cloud University and a Master of Arts certificate in Organizational Leadership from St. Kate's University.

Tony is the Head of Division Technology, bringing over 25 years of experience as an IT professional to his role. Throughout his distinguished career, Tony has held key positions at Sedgwick CMS, Crawford & Company, PremiumWare, Inc., and Liberty Mutual Insurance. His extensive background in these organizations has equipped him with a deep understanding of technology and its applications in the insurance industry. Tony holds an Associate of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin, which laid the foundation for his successful career in IT.

Nikki Taylor is a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in Commercial Property & Casualty (P&C) production. She has a proven track record of success, having previously held a key role at Burns & Wilcox. Nikki’s extensive industry knowledge and expertise make her a valuable asset in the field of commercial insurance.

I began my career in 2001 with Chubb Insurance Company and have held many positions in Commercial Underwriting since that time throughout NJ and NY. Using that experience, I have always tried to improve on how the industry can transact more efficiently while also producing best-in-class underwriting results.

Michael is the Head of the US Property Binding Facility, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to his role. With a distinguished career in the insurance industry, Michael has previously served as President of Denali Specialty Group, Keating Underwriting, and Breckenridge Insurance Group. His extensive background in these prominent positions has equipped him with deep insights and expertise in underwriting and insurance services. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University, which laid the foundation for his successful career.

Steve Georgalos has over 20 years of experience in wholesale insurance underwriting and brokering. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional expertise and leadership in the industry. Steve has previously held key positions at K&G Risk and Demetriou General Agency, where he played a pivotal role in driving business growth and delivering tailored insurance solutions to clients.

Steve George is a Partner at G&G Underwriters with a long and distinguished history in the wholesale insurance industry. His extensive experience, deep market knowledge, and relationship-driven approach have made him a trusted resource for brokers and industry partners alike.

Daniel Ginden is a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of experience in the retail and MGA/wholesale insurance industry. He has held significant roles at SLB Insurance Group, Professional Underwriting Group, and Keyes Coverage Inc. Daniel is currently the Managing Director at Novatae Risk Group, where he continues to leverage his extensive expertise to drive success. He holds a degree from Florida Atlantic University.

With over 20 years of experience in wholesale insurance underwriting and brokering, Dan has established a robust career in the industry. Dan has held significant positions at Ark Syndicate Management and Miller Insurance Services, where he honed his expertise and contributed to the growth and success of these organizations.

A graduate of Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK, Dan combines a strong educational background with extensive practical experience, making him a valuable asset in the field of insurance.

Tim Palmer leads our Worker's Compensation division. He has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with the last 8 years spent exclusively brokering Workers' Compensation. He brings experience from Fortune 100 organizations, private equity-funded startup ventures, and successful privately held companies. Tim graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Finance.

Josh has over 20 years of experience in MGA and wholesale insurance underwriting and brokering. He has previously held positions at Strata Underwriting Managers, Towerstone, Inc., and USG Insurance Services.

Brian Voorhees is a seasoned insurance executive with deep experience across underwriting, business development, product management, and operational leadership. Most recently, he directed day-to-day operations for Applied Home National Underwriters, a specialty non-admitted managing general underwriter focused on delivering customized solutions within the high-net-worth market. In this role, he led growth initiatives, underwriting strategy, broker relationships, and a nationwide team encompassing underwriting, sales, risk advisory, operations, and IT. 

Prior to this, Brian served as Vice President of Business Development at NatGen Premier, where he managed a $750 million portfolio and played a key role in launching the organization's mass affluent and high-net-worth segments. Earlier in his career, he held a range of positions at ACE Private Risk Services and Chubb Personal Insurance, with responsibilities spanning underwriting, portfolio and product management, and business development. He began his career as an independent agent, working across both personal and commercial lines. 

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts from Seton Hall University and maintains Property & Casualty and Surplus Lines licenses in all 50 states. He is based in St. Augustine, Florida. 

Caleb brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with deep specialization in Health and Real Estate Property. 

Bobbie leads the Healthcare/Professional Lines Division with over 20 years of experience in underwriting and broking healthcare-related risks with MGA, wholesale, and agency-based companies. Before joining Novatae, Bobbie was a senior broker and underwriter for USG Insurance for ten years. Bobbie exemplifies our drive and focus to deliver a premiere allied healthcare practice to our agency base. Her in-depth knowledge of healthcare risks, and underwriting expertise makes her a true asset to our team.

Suzanne Dettmann joined MarketScout in February 2007 in the Private Client Solutions Division. MarketScout merged with Novatae in November of 2022. Suzanne has over 20 years of experience in the High Net Worth Insurance segment specializing in Underwriting, Production, and the Management of the Private Client Solutions Division. Suzanne has expertise in large, multi-million-dollar risks and works closely with Novatae’s High Net Worth Insurance Partners.

SherrLee began her career in the insurance industry back in 2007, in personal lines as an assistant at RPS, representing the New York and Fort Lauderdale offices. She quickly moved to an Associate Underwriter where she maintained functions as an assistant and began handling renewal and new business. She joined MarketScout (now Novatae) in April 2011, as a personal Lines Underwriter to work alongside Alan Gayne. SherrLee was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Private Client Solution E&S Division, where she continues underwriting and problem-solving issues, within the office. SherrLee holds great relationships with all our personal lines markets in the US and London. She is a named underwriter on various Lloyd’s of London cover holder contracts.

Kerri Senger is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in wholesale insurance underwriting and brokering. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held key positions at renowned firms such as Denali Specialty Group, Breckenridge Insurance Group, Burns & Wilcox, and International Placement Services, Inc. Kerri’s extensive industry knowledge and expertise have made her a trusted advisor and a leader in the field.

Evelyn is a team player with a long-standing career in the insurance industry specializing in Commercial Insurance with niche areas being  Midwives, Professional Liability, Management Liability, and Cyber Liability lines of coverage.

With 30 years of Company and MGA Underwriting, Greg specializes in insuring Equine, Livestock, and Canine Mortality providing markets to specialized agents on a nationwide basis. Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2001, and Insurance Institute’s Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialists designation in 2006. Today Greg continues management of the Mortality Program with Novatae.