Frederick C. Burns, Jr. – President, Houston, Texas
(713) 260-1030
burnsr@globalspecialrisks.com
Rick began working with AIG Oil Rig after graduating from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Technology in 1984. After graduation, Rick specialized in control of well and oilfield property insurance and joined Underwriters Indemnity Insurance Company to manage their Control of Well Department. Rick joined GSR in 1991 and was promoted to Director of Sales for the company in 1995. Rick’s specialty is all lines of Energy placements (Control of Well, Business Interruption, Equipment, and Liabilities).
Jonathan Smyth – Executive Vice President, New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 840-1662
smyth_jo@globalspecialrisks.com
Jonathan began working in London with Sedgwick Offshore Resources after graduating with a B.S. in Economics from the University of Cardiff. In 1986, Jonathan moved to the United States to work for Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters, Inc. specializing in upstream energy business. In 1991, Jonathan opened Atlanta Insurance Broking Services, Inc., an Atlanta based wholesale agency specializing in energy and marine insurance. In 2000, Acordia, Inc. purchased the agency, and for the next three years he continued to run the agency for the new owner. Jonathan joined GSR in March 2003. Over the past 20 years, Jonathan has gained experience in all lines of commercial insurance, including control of well, cargo, liabilities, and equipment coverages.
Helene Cerise, CPA – Secretary/Treasurer, New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 840-1666
cerisehc@globalspecialrisks.com
Helene began her professional career with KPMG Peat Marwick in 1984 after graduating from the University of New Orleans with a B.S. in Accounting. She was promoted to Audit Manager in 1989 and joined Global Special Risks shortly thereafter as Controller. Helene was promoted to Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Administrative Officer in 1995. She is a member of the AICPA and the Louisiana Society of CPAs. Prior to 2006, Helene acted as CFO for several group companies in addition to GSR.
John Michel – Producer, New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 840-1670
michel_jj@globalspecialrisks.com
John began his insurance career with John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1976. In 1983, he became an underwriter for John W. Fisk Company, handling a book of marine business. In 1994, he became Director of the Marine Division of Universal Brokers, Ltd., where, in addition to producing a large book of marine business, he developed, in conjunction with Willis Marine in London, an exclusive Primary Marine Liabilities facility for highly specialized marine contractors, such as commercial divers. He also underwrote commercial Hull and P&I accounts for Markel American Insurance Company. John became a member of the GSR team in July 1999 where he markets and places marine and energy-related accounts. He is a licensed agent in the State of Louisiana for property and casualty insurance.
Ken Francis – Branch Manager/Producer, Dallas, Texas
(214) 855-7705
francisk@globalspecialrisks.com
Ken has over 40 years experience in the industry, focusing mainly on specialty oil and gas and marine insurances. He has been a retail broker for Bancorp South Insurance Services / Wright & Percy, Shreveport, Louisiana for the past 11 years and prior to that with Aon Natural Resources in Houston, Texas. Before joining Aon, Ken was Vice President of Southern Marine and Aviation Underwriters in New Orleans with a focus on mid cap energy and marine accounts. Ken has an MBA from Loyola University, New Orleans and a BS in International Business Management from Louisiana Tech.
Debbie Maddox – Vice President, Dallas, Texas
(214) 855-7704
dmaddox@globalspecialrisks.com
Debbie began her career working for Pike, Inc. in Houston, Texas in 1984 as an energy underwriter for Domestic and London in house liability contracts. Four years later Debbie joined Crump E & S of Houston, Inc. as a broker of all oil and gas casualty lines for both Domestic and London markets. Debbie’s career continued as a broker and underwriter for Burke-Daniels, Inc. for ten years before joining Maclean, Oddy (now Global Special Risks) in 1999. Debbie has over 30 years of industry experience.
