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Executive Team |
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CEO
Herbert Rothman began his career with C.M. Meiers in 1963 as a sales associate. More than 30 years later, he was named President, and currently holds the position of CEO and Chairman. He continues to be very active in the daily operations of the agency, leveraging his experience in many areas of coverage, including risk management, product liability, third party administrator and appraisals for clients.
Herbert is an attorney at law, as well as a licensed real estate broker.
He has worked with clients such as Expedite, Transport, Inc., J & D Express, House of Fabrics, Wibur Curtis and Barnes Wholesale. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a BS in Business and a Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University.
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President
Jeff Kleid, a 20-year veteran of the service business, is recognized for pioneering innovative insurance programs and products. His vast knowledge of the industry and creative approach allow him to offer clients the broadest protection at the most affordable price.
Since joining C.M. Meiers in 1994, the small business advocate has excelled as a producer, growing the company from a regional agency to one with national capabilities. Much of Jeff’s expertise is a result of his experience as a grass- roots lobbyist and advocate. He has also been active in the Insurance Agents of America, an organization dedicated to fulfilling the insurance needs of individuals in business, and is a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association of the San Fernando Valley. His specialties include life and health insurance, green businesses, real estate, film and television, high net worth individuals and manufacturers.
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Principal and Vice President
Eric Rothman joined C.M. Meiers in 1996 and currently works with all different lines of insurance as a firm Principal. He was instrumental in expanding the agency’s presence in Texas, and currently specializes in property market, including commercial and habitational properties.
A graduate of San Diego State University, Eric began his insurance career in the rating department of San Diego, California-based Golden Eagle Insurance Company. He is a graduate of the CGU Commercial Lines Producer Development Program in 2000. Eric is also a member of the Board of Directors of the IBA San Fernando Valley.
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Executive Vice President
Robert Bryar brings more than 30 years of experience to C.M. Meiers, and is keenly aware of the value a broker must provide to his clients. As Executive Vice President, he focuses on building strong client relationships and creating a work environment that delivers exceptional customer service.
Prior to joining the firm, Bryar served as President and CEO of Speare and Co., a large regional broker specializing in commercial and entertainment insurance. Acordia/Wells Fargo Insurance Services acquired Speare and Co. in 2004, and Bryar was named Managing Director. He also serves as an expert witness on the subject of property and association coverage and has served on more than a dozen insurance company advisor councils.
“I always look at what is best for the client,” says Bryar. |
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Sales Team |
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Vice President and Producer
With more than 18 years of sales experience in the food and wireless industries, Alon Ben-Nun believes in treating his clients the way he would like to be treated. As a result, he focuses on delivering great service at a fair price. He is committed to assisting business with all their insurance needs based on his own experience as a former small business owner.
“Knowing that I am offering my client a product that can help business grow and make life easier and more secure is my number one priority,” says Ben-Nun.
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Vice President
Faranak Dorafshar has served clients in the insurance industry for more than 35 years. Her areas of expertise include estate planning, long-term care and disability.
Prior to joining C.M. Meiers, she was a top producer with New York Life Insurance Company. During her 10-year tenure at the agency, Faranak earned a place at the company’s Million Dollar Roundtable every year in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments. She also spent 25 years with Capitol Insurance Agency where she became fluent with a wide range of insurance issues and opportunities as they relate to individuals.
Aside from her work with individuals, Faranak has made a difference in the commercial arena working with organizations large and small in commercial real estate and large manufacturing.
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Vice President
Marc Federman’s insurance career spans more than 40 years, during which time he has worked on a wide range of insurance needs. He joined C.M. Meiers in 2006.
For the last 25 years Federman has specialized in providing exceptional service to entertainment clients, specifically in the film and music industries. His expertise in film insurance needs and procedures has been featured in a number of books on film production.
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Vice President
Charlene Hill has worked in the insurance industry since 1981. Her background includes serving the needs of high net worth, entertainment and business management clients.
Over the course of her career, Charlene has held positions with Max Behm & Associates, Inc., USI Insurance Services and the global brokerage firm AON/Albert G. Ruben. In 2003, she joined the entertainment division of C.M. Meiers where she now manages its personal entertainment department.
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Vice President
Greg Jones launched his career in insurance with AIG in 1977. Six years later, he joined the entertainment division of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, where he would begin a 25-year career focused on serving entertainment clients.
While working for Albert G. Ruben, Greg worked for such film studios as Morgan Creek Productions, Lorimar Pictures and Viacom Productions. He would continue to work for Viacom as a staff member of Near North Insurance Brokerage, and was responsible for an exclusive three-year agreement for all production insurance worldwide for the company that includes Showtime Networks, MTV Productions and Nickelodeon.
In 1995, Greg joined USI Insurance Services in order to launch its production division. With his assistance, USI became the third largest provider of production insurance in the world. Greg joined C.M. Meiers in 2005.
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Vice President
Cathy Kerhulas specializes in entertainment insurance and has been a part of the C.M. Meiers entertainment division since 2003. She began her career in insurance in 1980, and began to specialize in entertainment when she joined Max Behm & Associates in 1988.
Her experience includes marketing new business from production companies to wholesalers, manufacturers, retail businesses and some of the world’s largest restaurants and casinos.
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Vice President
Bill Kulchin has spent more than 20 years providing personal and responsive service to a diverse mix of clients in the apparel, real estate, food and retail industries. His approach is to give his customers comprehensive tools to assess their risk and identify the best insurance strategies and solutions.
Since joining C.M. Meiers in 1992, Bill and his team have developed a specialty serving major clothing manufacturers. Today, the apparel insurance program provides coverage for more than 100 companies including importers and apparel distributors with foreign operations. He also provides service in workers compensation, safety program coordination, employee medical benefits and product liability.
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Bill holds both a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. He holds licenses in both property and casualty and life and health benefits.
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Vice President
Bruce Maxwell launched his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1981. Six years later, he transitioned into the independent insurance agency system, building a strong base of property/casualty and employee benefits clients.
Today, Maxwell is a vice president with C.M. Meiers, serving its property/casualty and employee benefits clients and participating in the management of the agency. He specializes in clients whose insurance needs involve risk analysis of worldwide exposures. He has worked directly with brokers in the placement of specific coverage designed to handle the exposures of importers, exporters and manufacturers that compete in the global marketplace. He maintains accounts across the U.S., and travels extensively both domestically and abroad.
Maxwell earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Haas School of Business Administration at U.C. Berkeley, and he earned his Masters in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at USC. He has served on the IBA West Board of Directors and is a past president of IBA of the San Fernando Valley.
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Vice President
Steve Nourse has been in the insurance business for more than 40 years. He began his career as an underwriter for the Home Insurance Company of New York. He would later launch his own agency, which grew to $9 million in premiums. In 1990, Acordia purchased that agency.
Over the years, Steve has worked with two national insurance brokerage firms specializing in transportation, large commercial properties and restaurants. He joined C.M. Meiers in 2006, and has continued to grow his book to an excess of $500,000 in annual revenue. He has the exclusive endorsement of the California Association of Mortgage Brokers and the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.
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Director of Risk Services and Producer
A risk and insurance professional for more than 20 years, Chris Palmer is a recognized authority on international film and television risk. He has provided risk control consultation on more than 900 film productions, including Titanic and X Men and on such reality television shows as Fear Factor and American Idol. As a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers Industry Labor-Management Safety Committee, he has helped draft many of the industry safety bulletins. Chris specializes in entertainment and clients with international exposures.
A constituent member of the U.S. State Department Overseas Security Advisory Council, Palmer provides clients with international exposures with up to date security and threat assessment information, advises on risk protection measures including security measures for crime, kidnap, and ransom, extortion, terrorism, evacuation and crisis management. He also assists clients with hurricane contingency planning, security and medical evacuation plans, accident investigation, claims advocacy, injury and illness prevention plans and government agency liaison.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics and finance from Kennesaw State University in 1984. He has been featured in articles in many publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Business Journal, Risk Management, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He is the author of the CMM World Risk Guide.
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Vice President – Insurance Broker
Greg Rom started in the Insurance Industry in 1974. He started with the C.M. Meier’s Company in 2003. He was a partner with the “Rom & Company” Insurance Agency in Beverly Hills California.
At Rom and Company Insurance he handled major national accounts in the Entertainment Business for MCA – Universal , Warner Brothers and CBS.
He now specializes in all types of Business Insurance, Restaurant Insurance, Property and Liability, Workers Compensation, Contractors and National Programs.
Greg attended Valley College and then completed his education at the University of California – Northridge. He also has also completed study programs on Risk Management, Employee Benefits and Workers Compensation Insurance.
His program development background includes Internet Auction Stores and Home and Garden Shows” Master Liability and Exhibitors Insurance
Greg is committed to providing excellent service and is available for his clients 24 Hours a day – 7 Days a week.
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Vice President
Derek Ross of C.M Meiers Insurance (CMM) has been licensed and working in the insurance industry since 1997. He currently maintains a large client base, specializing in commercial insurance for all types of industries located all across the country. In addition to recommending and developing insurance programs, Derek also provides unique value added services that go above and beyond traditional insurance services. These include: Disaster Prevention Training, Annual Claim Reviews and Specialized Loss Control Programs.
Derek is a Past President for the Independent Brokers and Agents of the San Fernando Valley (IBA SFV) where he has served on the board since 1999. During his tenure, Derek has represented this association in Washington D.C. and Sacramento meeting with local, state and federal legislators.
Much of Derek's free time is dedicated to expanding his disaster training with the following volunteer organizations:
Volunteer In Policing (V.I.P), Disaster Assistance Response Team (D.A.R.T), and Oak Park Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) for the Ventura County Fire/Sheriffs Department's and Thousand Oaks Police Department.
When not in the office, you can find Derek at westward beach or competing in any athletic event in Southern California. He even achieved a long time personal goal in 2006, by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer.
Derek lives in Oak Park with his best friend and wife, Lauren, along with their five-year-old golden retriever, Gryff.
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Vice President
Gensar Saleigh began his career in 1958 as an agent with Great American Insurance Company in Montreal, Canada. In 1964, he moved to Los Angeles where he first worked as an underwriter and manager for Hartford Insurance Company. Later, he specialized as an underwriter in special and international accounts for such organizations as Fluor Corporation, Fishback and Moore, Toyota and Sheraton Hotels.
In 1974, Gensar opened his own insurance agency where he specialized in retail accounts, commercial accounts and surplus lines. His agency was merged with C.M. Meiers in 2004. Today, Gensar provides superior account management through state-of-the-art automation. He has access to more than 100 insurance companies and serves clients nationwide.
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Vice President and Executive Director
Valerie began her insurance career in a small insurance agency, and in 1982 founded V.A.S Insurance Brokers, Inc., providing the overall management of the firm, including business development and marketing, which enabled V.A.S. to grow from an initial capitalization of $8,000 to a premium volume in excess of $5,000,000. In 1988, Valerie sold the firm to Oxford Insurance Management.
At Oxford, which later became Hooper, Hayes & Associates, Inc. and the Hub International, she continued to maintain and develop business, as well as established and negotiated company contracts and program development.
Valerie is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles and is Executive Director of CMM Green. She has been a guest speaker on a variety of insurance related issues.
Valerie’s focus includes risk analysis, program design, insurance placement and program implementation to a varied clientele. Her clients include restaurants, property owners, law offices, retail, financial services, technology, hospitals and manufacturing, as well as an expertise in the social service, non-profit arena.
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Vice President
Prior to joining C.M. Meiers, Fred Weston spent 15 years in the financial services industry. He has extensive experience in mortgage lending, estate planning and investments as well as insurance. He is a former staff member of Mellon Advisors in Beverly Hills.
Weston is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University and holds a Certified Financial Planning designation. He has served on the Board of Directors for Heart of Los Angeles and is active in the Bel Air Presbyterian Church.
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