About Us > Our Staff
Avalon’s team of more than 120 employees are insurance experts and have been thoroughly trained to understand the special nuances of your industry.
Our staff has decades of experience in managing your surety and insurance needs.
Executive Team and Corporate Management:
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James Zuhlke, Executive Chairman
Jim entered the insurance business in 1976 and has since formed several publicly-traded companies. He assisted Avalon in completing our management buyout in October 2009. Jim obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Wisconsin. |
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Lisa Gelsomino, President/CEO lgelsomino@avalonrisk.com Lisa is a founding partner/owner of Avalon, having established our New York office. Based at our corporate office since 2002, she was promoted to President/CEO in 2008. Lisa received her MBA from Northwestern University, with focuses in Marketing, Management and International Business, and her Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. She is currently pursuing ARM and CPCU insurance certifications. |
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Michael Brown, Executive Vice President & East Coast Divisional Vice President mbrown@avalonrisk.com Based in Boston, Mike is a founding partner/owner of Avalon. As Executive Vice President, Mike oversees sales, marketing and national account activities. He is also the Divisional Vice President of the U.S. East Coast. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Purdue University in Economics and Psychology. |
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Christine Wade, Assistant Vice President – National Accounts cwade@avalonrisk.com As one of Avalon’s first employees, Chris has more than 20 years of experience and helped open our Chicago office. In her current role, Chris and her staff provide dedicated service to multiple large companies. She also supervises Avalon’s Centralized Bond Unit (CBU), which assists customers in managing Customs Bonds. |
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Nathan Baylor, Vice President – Surety & Information Technology nbaylor@avalonrisk.com One of Avalon’s owners, Nathan joined the company in 2002. He currently oversees all information technology development, maintenance and helpdesk support, in addition to surety claims and underwriting. Nathan obtained a bachelor’s degree in History and English from Valparaiso University. |
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Terrie Sapronetti, Assistant Vice President – Underwriting tsapronetti@avalonrisk.com Terrie has more than 30 years of experience in transportation insurance. As one of Avalon’s first employees, she helped open our Los Angeles office. In Terrie’s current role, she oversees all of Avalon’s underwriting functions. |
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Dave Huck, Controller & Treasurer dhuck@avalonrisk.com Dave joined Avalon in 2010 and is currently the company’s Controller, overseeing Accounting, Accounts Receivable and Billing. He obtained an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Loyola University. He also holds a CPCU designation. |
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Denise Chipman, Vice President – Operations dchipman@avalonrisk.com Denise is a founding partner/owner of Avalon and has worked for the company in many different capacities. She currently oversees Human Resources and Transportation Claims, in addition to being responsible for overall company efficiencies. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Northern Illinois University. |
Regional Management based in the Eastern United States:
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Michael Brown, Executive Vice President & East Coast Divisional Vice President mbrown@avalonrisk.com Based in Boston, Mike is a founding partner/owner of Avalon. As Executive Vice President, Mike oversees sales, marketing and national account activities. He is also the Divisional Vice President of the U.S. East Coast. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Purdue University in Economics and Psychology. |
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Kathy Schricker, Regional Vice President – Boston kschricker@avalonrisk.com Kathy joined Avalon in 1999 and is actively involved with several trade associations in the East Coast. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Indiana University. |
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Wanda Sample, Regional Vice President – New York wsample@avalonrisk.com Wanda joined Avalon in 2002 after working for a national customs broker/freight forwarder and has more than 25 years of experience in the customs broker and freight forwarder arenas. Working closely with the logistics community, Wanda is a board member of several trade associations. She has an MBA from Clarkson University. |
Regional Management based in the Southern United States:
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Kevin Sarsfield, Senior Vice President, Southern Division & International Development ksarsfield@avalonrisk.com Through decades of experience in the logistics industry, Kevin has developed extensive relationships within the Miami logistics arena, as well as international sales and new product research for Avalon. He oversees the activities of Avalon’s Southern Division and is a founding partner/owner of Avalon. |
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Grant Goldsmith, Vice President - Business Development, Southern Division ggoldsmith@avalonrisk.com Grant has more than 20 years of insurance and transportation experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s degree from Seton Hall University, and a Marine Diploma from Lloyd’s of London. He also holds CIC and CRM designations and is pursuing a Certified Property & Casualty Underwriter designation. |
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Leslie Carril, Regional Vice President – Miami lcarril@avalonrisk.com Leslie joined Avalon in 1998 and is one of our first employees. Fluent in Spanish, she maintains a strong relationship with Avalon’s customers in the Miami region, as well as trade associations throughout Florida and Latin America. |
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Lisa Vranich, Regional Sales Manager lvranich@avalonrisk.com Based in our Atlanta office, Lisa coordinates sales expansions in the southern division and beyond. Her strong knowledge of the insurance and logistics industries allows her to develop tailored programs for customers. |
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Steve Earnhardt, Regional Manager searnhardt@avalonrisk.com Steve joined Avalon in 2008, opening our Charleston office. His 30 years of experience in the freight forwarding and brokerage industry provide a solid understanding of the needs of our customers. |
Regional Management based in the Midwestern United States:
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Robert Macher, Divisional Vice President rmacher@avalonrisk.com Robert is a founding partner/owner of Avalon and oversees our Chicago and Toronto offices. He is fluent in Spanish and active on several industry association boards and committees. Robert obtained his MBA from St. Thomas University and his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Florida International University. |
Regional Management based in the Western United States:
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Keith Sanchez, Divisional Vice President ksanchez@avalonrisk.com Keith is a founding partner/owner of Avalon and is now Vice President of our Western Division. He is also a past instructor at the Global Logistics Specialist program offered at California State University – Long Beach. Keith has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance from Westminster College. |
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Andrea Lanouette, Regional Vice President – Los Angeles alanouette@avalonrisk.com Andrea has more than 25 years of experience in the international transportation insurance arena and joined Avalon in September 2005. She is actively involved in the logistics industry and works closely with several trade associations in Southern California. |
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Deirdre Hudson, Regional Vice President – San Francisco dhudson@avalonrisk.com Deirdre joined Avalon in 2002 and has more than 20 years experience in working with the logistics community in different capacities. When Avalon acquired another specialized insurance broker in the courier industry, she was instrumental in the transition and continuation of servicing courier clients. |
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Jaki Ferenz, Vice President jferenz@avalonrisk.com In her role as Vice President, Jaki further develops Avalon’s business through continuous sales efforts, expansion opportunities and partnerships. Based in Seattle, she maintains an active involvement with several trade associations in the Pacific Northwest and nationally. |
