Partnerships

Richard was named Novatae’s chief executive officer on November 1, 2022 after the acquisition of a Dallas, Texas-based insurance distribution and underwriting company, MarketScout Corporation, where he served as the founder, chairman and CEO.

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 Novatae’s chief financial officer and heads all finance and accounting departments. He has more than 30 years of leadership experience in finance, accounting, and operations roles with worldwide companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Siemens AG, and Lennox International Inc. Jim holds an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Commerce from the University of Windsor. He also holds designations for Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant.

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.