our Leadership

Richard Kerr is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of MarketScout Corporation, a Dallas, Texas-based insurance distribution and underwriting company, and Chairman of MSW (MarketScout Wholesale). He is now the Chief Executive Officer for Novatae.

Mr. Kerr previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lambert Fenchurch US Holdings, Chairman of Sedgwick Energy, President of Sedgwick James of Texas, and was a partner with Arthur L. Owen Insurance. Richard has an extensive background in launching new ventures and entrepreneurial concepts in all facets of insurance underwriting and distribution. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and lecturer on industry economic trends, pricing, distribution, and underwriting concepts. Richard participates in various forums during the year. As an author, he has written two technical insurance publications, as well as articles for over 20 different insurance publications. His monthly Market Barometer is published by over fifteen insurance trade journals and various other business publications including The Wall Street Journal.

Richard is an Executive Council member of the Risk Management & Insurance Executive Council Advisory Board of the Florida State University College of Business and serves as a board member for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He founded the Kerr Educational Trust and HEROES, a support organization for soldiers returning from active duty. Richard holds a Business degree in insurance and risk management from the University of Texas in Austin and various postgraduate designations.

Jim is a global finance leader and business partner with a track record of driving profitable growth while delivering productivity and continual process improvement.

Jim has held leadership positions in finance, accounting, and operations with worldwide companies; PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Siemens AG, and Lennox International Inc.

His education includes an Executive MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree. Jim is the former board member of a non-profit housing corporation and the Commercial de Mexico business.

Von comes to Novatae with more than 35 years of leadership experience in the insurance industry across executive management, agency operations and administration, mergers and acquisitions, regional and national sales management, and business development and marketing. He previously served as board member and committee chair for the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas, is an active member of the Independent Agents of Texas, and is currently on the board of advisors at the University of Texas at Dallas Business School, Risk Management Insurance Department.

Chris Kerr is an experienced Insurance executive with over 18 years of experience in the insurance Industry.  He specializes in Worker's Compensation insurance helping agents nationwide place coverage. Before joining Novatae he led the work comp department of MarketScout and led the marketing and sales team.

Chris also serves on the CIC board for the National Alliance.

Chris holds a Master of Business Administration  (MBA) and has been a CISR since 2006 and CIC since 2010.

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.

Christopher began working as a broker in the Lloyds of London marketplace in 1986. He held senior positions with a number of large brokerage firms as well as being a founding partner of two start-up brokerage firms before relocating to the US in 2017. He manages the Novatae London relationships and works specifically on "hard to place" high-value home accounts utilizing the London marketplace as well as E & S capacity here in the US.

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.

Daniel started his insurance carrier in 2005. Before joining Novatae, Daniel managed MarketScout's wholesale broker division and led Program development. During his career, he has focused on providing solutions for oil and gas-related risk, construction, product-driven accounts, and environmental risks.  Daniel holds an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso and holds a CIC and CISR designation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Courtney Kerr is the Senior Vice President of  Novatae's' Private Client Solutions division. Ms. Kerr has over 10 years of experience in the high-net-worth insurance industry and has both company and broker underwriting expertise. She is a named underwriter on various Lloyds of London cover holder agreements and holds the Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) designation.

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.

Keli's career kicked off with a college internship at Lloyds of London. Her expertise is in professional liability underwriting primarily in the surplus lines arena. She has worked with various Lloyds coverholders for over 20 years specializing in allied, miscellaneous, EPLI, cyber, insurance agents, architects, and engineers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With 14 years of experience in HR, predominantly within the Financial Industry, Charles possesses robust expertise in Talent Development with an emphasis on Leadership Development. His dedication to working with individuals to navigate complex decisions is unwavering.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Charles is an avid supporter of the Dallas Cowboys, proudly representing the DC4L community. Additionally, he is a former player for the Crimson Tide, instilling in him a deep-rooted loyalty to the team—Roll Tide Roll! He pursued his academic endeavors in Electrical Engineering at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, where his passion for problem-solving was nurtured.

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.