TSLA Elects 2019-2020 Officers

The Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA) elected new officers and directors for the 2019-2020 term during its recent Annual Meeting in Austin on November 11, 2019.

As part of TSLA’s business meeting, Jennifer Mier, Executive Vice President of AmWINS Group in Dallas, was elected President for the coming year. Mier has been involved with TSLA for more than 8 years and has served on the organization’s Legislative Committee and Chaired the Texans Under Forty group. She was a member of the TSLA Board of Directors from 2014-2017 and has served as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the organization over the past two terms.

Mier began her insurance career in Atlanta after earning a degree in risk management. She worked for a retail brokerage firm that specialized in complex property placements and construction wrap ups, which led her to Austin, Texas, where she managed several large municipal construction wrap up programs in Texas. After getting married and relocating to Dallas, she joined Health Insurance Brokers/Colemont in 2005, which merged with AmWINS in 2010. She currently manages one of the AmWINS Dallas Casualty teams and actively brokers casualty placements in the excess and surplus lines marketplace.

Over the coming year, Mier said her goals are to promote the value of the excess and surplus lines industry, support industry members, take part in regulatory and legislative advocacy, communicate and collaborate with other industry organizations regarding regulatory and legislative issues, and provide opportunities for mentorship and education.

“As professionals, it is our responsibility to promote our industry with integrity, develop opportunities that help our clients, and promote the development of young talent,” Mier said. “TSLA is our voice in the State of Texas; that allows industry members to discuss issues, develop solutions, and promote our expertise within the business community.  We are fortunate to have a strong association that is supported by our members and volunteers.”

During the business meeting, Amicia Hine, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Facilities LLC, MHI-MGA Division, was also elected TSLA Vice President, and Justin Kotrla, Vice President of Southwest Risk LP, was named Secretary/Treasurer.

These officers, along with TSLA Immediate Past President Matt Leicht, with Craig & Leicht, will make up the TSLA executive committee.

TSLA also elected the following directors to three-year terms:

• Robert McEwen, The Parks Group Inc.
• Sam Stringer, All Risks Ltd.
• Josh Taylor, Scottish American

These individuals join the following current TSLA directors:

• Jim Bishop, Towerstone Inc.
• Lynn Bordelon, Worldwide Facilities LLC, MHI-MGA Division
• Kimmi Cantwell, McGowan, Donnelly & Oberheu LLC
• Joe Dahlvig, Admiral Insurance Group
• Jeff Fields, Markel
• Meagan Kiernan, RT Specialty
• Rose Perez, USG Insurance Services Inc.
• Tiffany Way, All Risks Ltd.