CIWA Announces Changes to Bylaws to Increase Number of Associate Members on Their Board

Folsom, CA, 07/23/13 – In an effort to gain valuable insight about their company and vendor members, CIWA has elected to revise their bylaws and allow for more associate members. “CIWA is adapting to the changing environment of the California Insurance marketplace. We changed the bylaws to spark more growth for the association and provide a more meaningful voice in Sacramento,” relates Tim Chaix, current president. “I appreciate the support and hard work of all the board members to make CIWA a successful association. We are very pleased and excited to include additional board members.”

The new board members were installed at the most successful Summer Forum CIWA has hosted in the past few years; there was a 210% increase in attendance with over 60% of the members/associates supporting the event. As of June 2013, the new associate members are Arthur Davis and Beth Hannon, the new regular members are Colby Waltenburg and Mark Kaufman.

Arthur Davis is Senior Vice President for binding authority underwriting at Colony Specialty, which includes the Contract P&C and Transportation operations. With over 20 years in the insurance industry, he has held a variety of positions in Marketing, Casualty Underwriting and Pollution Liability Underwriting. He holds a B.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and has earned the Associate in Underwriting and CPCU designations.

Beth Hannon is Sr. Director of Contract Transportation Underwriting for Scottsdale Insurance. Hannon leads the countrywide Transportation division for Scottsdale Insurance, Contract Binding division and was formally the regional head for the Pacific Region handling all lines of business (Commercial Property & Casualty, Personal Lines and Transportation). Hannon has been with Scottsdale Insurance since 2004 in various roles both at Scottsdale and Western Heritage.

“I am very excited to be part of the CIWA board,” Hannon relates, “and hope that my experiences can both help the Association, as well as learn from everyone involved. Scottsdale Insurance and I are very honored to be asked to participate in this role and look forward to making an impact that supports our members.”

Colby Waltenburg is Vice President of the Transportation division for Coastal Brokers Insurance Services, Inc. Waltenburg got his start as an underwriter in Canada where he learned the differences between the US and Canadian insurance markets prior to an internship in London, gaining a more global understanding of risk placement. At Coastal Brokers, Waltenburg has had various responsibilities in underwriting and marketing but excels in his knowledge of Transportation.

Mark Kaufman is Chief Operating Officer at Monarch E&S Insurance Services, Inc. Kaufman has worked on the E&S side of the insurance industry since 1984 and been with Monarch since 1994. At Monarch, Kaufman oversees their multiple divisions and offices throughout the western United States and continues to manage his own book of business. He holds a Mathematics degree from CSUN.

Additionally, Guy Knapp has retired after serving as treasurer of the board. “In my forty-plus-year career in the P&C business, most on the wholesale side, it was a privilege to be both a member of and serve on the Board of Directors for CIWA,” Knapp recalls. “Working with such dedicated individuals who donate time and money to serve their industry has been extremely fulfilling. Show me another non-profit, especially an industry group, that can say at the end of the day almost 100% of the dues paid by the members goes to political advocacy to keep California one of the best states in the US to do business as a wholesaler. I wish CIWA continued success!”

About CIWA
California Insurance Wholesalers Association (CIWA) is a California State professional organization, which promotes the role of the wholesaler in the insurance industry. It also promotes the role of insurers, which distribute their products through wholesalers, as well as the vendors which service wholesalers. For more information, visit ciwa.net.