Page 10 - 23rd Annual Program Book

PRESENT A TIONS

Program Business Study Results Panel

Monday, October 16 | 2:00 PM | Kierland 4AB

Sponsored by:
Chris Pesce, One80 Intermediaries (Moderator)
Brian Cohen, Arden Insurance Services
Grace Meek, Homesite Underwriting Managers
Doug Bennett, Aon Reinsurance Solutions
Jim Blinn, Advisen, a Zywave Company
Attend this dynamic, fast-paced presentation of the 2023
State of Program Business Study findings including the
current size and scope of the program business industry.
The presentation will be moderated by a fellow program
administrator, accompanied by a panel of experts to
comment on many of the benchmarked topics explored in
this research. The Executive Summary of the study results
will be made available at the presentation.

Chris Pesce
Chris is National Programs Practice Leader with One80 Intermediaries. He was a principal
shareholder and board of director for Gowrie Holdings, Inc. which owned two entities,
Maritime Program Group (MPG) and Gowrie Group. Chris served as President of Maritime
Program Group and Executive Vice President and Secretary of Gowrie Group. Chris had
been at the helm of MPG since completing an internship there in 1995 while studying for his
bachelor’s degree at Saint Joseph’s College in NY. Under Chris’ leadership he oversaw the
growth of MPG’s underwritten premiums from less than $4M to more than $134M prior to
selling the operations to One80 Intermediaries in 2019.
In addition to serving on the TMPAA Advisory Board, he is on the Producer Council for
the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, as well as past service on the Executive
Committee for the Independent Insurance Agents Association of CT and as Chairman of the Young Agents Committee.
Chris is a licensed continuing education instructor and holds classes and speaking engagements on topics ranging
from operating and building a successful MGA to various areas within the marine insurance specialty.

Brian Cohen
Brian Cohen is the co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Arden Insurance Services, a specialty
MGA that focuses on Community Associations. He also is an operating partner with
Altamont Capital Partners − a private equity firm based in Palo Alto, California. Previously
Brian served as the President & CEO of Pacific Specialty Insurance Company and its
affiliated companies. He also served as President and CEO of Clear Technology, and in
several senior executive roles at Farmers Insurance Group including Chief Marketing
Officer and a member of the Office of the President. Prior to joining Farmers, Brian played
a leading role in building a diversified retail and financial services company that catered to
the Latino market. Brian started his career as a C.P.A. and then practiced corporate law. He
earned his business degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree
from the University of Southern California.

8 TMPAA