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ABOUT US

ABOUT US

As the world evolves and new coverage needs arise, XPT is your expert partner team for wholesale commercial insurance – combining years of expertise and excellent service with expansive distributor and carrier relationships to take on the work that provides the most return for you.

We believe in partnerships that multiply business for everyone, and we pride ourselves on working collaboratively to find the right answers for your clients. Handling the big, the small, and the challenging cases that no one else will, our devoted specialists ease the burden of your more difficult insureds while ensuring you maximize your return.

Backed by decades of commercial insurance experience, our specialist experts understand the niche markets you seek – and have their finger on the pulse of the industry to identify new markets and emerging tech.

XPT is delivering the multiplying value – so you can be confident you’re recommending great products with competitive rates, and increasing your close rates.

 

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MANAGEMENT TEAM

Tom Ruggieri

CEO

Mark Smith

President

Kyle Stevens

Executive Partner

Landon Parnell

Executive Partner

Steve Kass

Executive Partner

Ed Forer

Chief Administrative Officer

Dana Bjornson

Chief Financial Officer

Ashley Cavanaugh

General Counsel

Steven Vallejo

EVP, Transportation
Co-Practice Leader

Derek Brooks

EVP, Transportation
Co-Practice Leader

Mark Kaufman

Southwest Executive
Vice President

Jenny Crane

Northwest Executive
Vice President

Glen Pomeroy

EVP, Personal Lines

Betty Sikora

Regional Executive
Vice President

Patrick Sikora

Executive
Vice President

Matt Leicht

Southcentral Executive
Vice President

Judy Hall

EVP, P&C Underwriting

Amy Leicht

EVP, P&C Underwriting

Dan Rieden

Executive Vice President, Workers’ Compensation

Mike Foley

Executive Vice President, Brokerage & Construction

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XPT maintains strict privacy policies to protect personal information of our business partners obtained for text message communications. This information is never sold, rented, released, or traded to others without prior consent or legal obligation. Any sharing of information with third parties is solely for the purpose of fulfilling the organization’s obligations to our clients and customers. We guarantee that it will never be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

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Amy Leicht

EVP, P&C Underwriting
Amy was president of Craig & Leicht, XPT Specialty’s latest acquisition. Amy started down the insurance path at a very young age like her brother Matt, separating policies for her parent’s wholesale insurance company after school as early as 5th grade! She worked for her parent’s business on and off until college, and has now been working full time in the industry for 20 years. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Applied Science in marketing in 2001. She has worked in both small and large wholesale establishments but prefers working as a small business owner because it’s easier to maintain closer relationships with retailers and adapt quickly to individual needs. Amy loves traveling and considers herself to have extreme wanderlust.

Judy Hall

EVP, P&C Underwriting

With nearly three decades of dedicated service, Judy Hall is a valued member of the XPT family, having joined the organization when it was known as Western Security Surplus. Her remarkable journey with the company spans almost 30 years, showcasing her unwavering commitment and expertise in the insurance industry.

In her current role as Executive Vice President (EVP) of Property & Casualty (P&C) Underwriting, Judy holds a pivotal position within XPT. Her primary focus lies in the MGA sector, specializing in contract binding for P&C insurance.

As EVP, Judy assumes responsibility for overseeing the production and outcomes of XPT’s binding market contracts. Her meticulous approach and dedication ensure that these contracts are not only efficiently managed but also yield optimal results for both the company and its clients. Additionally, Judy plays a crucial role in collaborating closely with the renewal team, contributing to the seamless renewal process for numerous XPT Specialty brokers.

Matt Leicht

Southcentral Executive Vice President

Matt served as chief executive officer of Craig & Leicht, which was XPT Specialty’s latest acquisition. He started in the industry at 15 when Mom and Dad put him to work as an intern in their own brokerage firm. He attended the University of St. Thomas in Houston where he graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. Matt took his first leadership role at the Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc in 2005 when he served on the host committee for the annual and midyear conventions. In 2018, Matt was elected president of the TSLA. He also has certifications both as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). When Matt isn’t playing in a foursome with all lefties, he’s spending time with his wife and three kids.

Patrick Sikora

Executive Vice President

Patrick has been in the Insurance Field since the late 1980’s starting out as an insurance regulator for the Department of Banking, Insurance & Securities which is now known as the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation.

Patrick is the head of the Personal Lines Dept. and is responsible for setting up various insurance programs for the office. He also underwrites Professional and Property and Casualty Lines and oversees the Hospitality Program.

He has served as Vice President of the Vermont Society of Financial Examiners, President of the Agency Advisory Board for the IAT Specialty Group and has been involved as a local high school athletic coach.

Patrick resides in East Montpelier Vermont with his wife, Betty and has three adult age children. In his spare time, you can find Patrick on the golf course or spending time with his grandchildren.

Betty Sikora

Regional Executive Vice President

Betty has been in the Insurance Field since 1984, starting out as a retail insurance agent. She began her career in the MGA/Wholesale Insurance field in 1989 where she worked as an underwriter and then moved up to Vice President of Underwriting. In 1998 Betty and her husband Patrick started S&H Underwriters, later acquired by XPT Specialty.

She is active in the local insurance professional association and has served as President in the past. She has served on various committees within the association including Safety, Meetings & Events and Education. Most recently in 2016 Betty was awarded Insurance Professional of the Year by the Champlain Valley Association of Insurance Professionals.

Betty resides in East Montpelier Vermont with her husband Patrick and golden retriever Peyton. She enjoys running successfully completing several half marathon’s and her one and only full marathon in 2013.

Tom Ruggieri

CEO XPT Group

Tom Ruggieri has over 35 years of Executive Management expertise in Specialty Distribution; Information, Technology and Analytics; and Financial and Capital Markets.

Over the years, Tom has created an extensive network of Retail Broker, Wholesale, MGA, Carrier, IT Analytics, Overseas Resources and Capital Markets relationships. In its first seven years, XPT has benefited from Tom’s expertise and will continue to do so.

As CEO, Tom expands relationships of XPT’s investments broadening distribution and supply. He also leads the creation of exclusive MGAs by mechanizing operations with technology and new product development.

Tom began his career with Marsh, where he developed Marsh’s Global Brokerage group; a placement syndication business focused on the transaction of insurance placements, new product development, program facility development and carrier management.  He later built and founded Advisen, a leading information, analytics, media, and technology company which he sold in November 2020.  Prior to XPT, Tom led Swett & Crawford to significant operational advancement and its ultimate sale for a market leading multiple by implementing specialization, small account processing, and carrier management.

Mark Kaufman

Southwest Executive Vice President

Kaufman has over 34 years of experience in excess and surplus lines and most recently held the COO position for Monarch E&S Insurance Services, where he worked for the past 24 years. Kaufman is currently serving as President of CIWA, the California Insurance Wholesalers Association, and has been recognized by local independent retail associations for his continued support. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University.

Steven Vallejo

EVP, Transportation Co-Practice Leader

Steven Vallejo founded SVA Underwriting, which was later acquired by XPT, and served as President. He has over 30 years of Property and Casualty underwriting experience in the Commercial Auto and Transportation Insurance industry specializing in Auto Liability, Physical Damage, Cargo, and General Liability. Prior to founding SVA Underwriting Services, Inc. Steven was a Managing Partner and the Vice President at Transportation Coverage Specialists, Inc., one of the largest Managing General Agencies in the United States. Steven holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iona College.

Landon Parnell

Group Executive Vice President

Prior to XPT Specialty, Landon Parnell achieved great success as President of LP Risk, developing technical knowledge of underwriters and the market relationships of brokers, while making service the main priority. As Group Executive Vice President for XPT, Landon has played a key role in strengthening the knowledge of the transportation division along with increased growth of other industries including construction and hospitality.

Kyle Stevens

Group Executive Vice President

Kyle Stevens began his career with Western Security Surplus, later becoming XPT. He has held various positions including COO and President/CEO/Owner, now serving as Group Executive Vice President. Kyle has played a key role in XPT’s industry leading growth and commitment to service through new product development, services and technologies to best serve clients.

Mark Smith

President

Mark M. Smith serves as President of XPT Specialty, making a significant impact on the company’s leadership, corporate development and growth strategies. With a successful history of over 30 years building, expanding and developing major wholesale platforms, Mark brings a wealth of expertise to his role.

In his capacity as President, Mark spearheads business development initiatives, focusing on recruiting top producers and forging strategic partnerships. His role also involves fostering organic growth, renewal retention, expanding market access, leading new product development, and providing exclusive products to client agencies. Under Mark’s leadership, XPT is committed to further enhancing its position as a leading wholesale brokerage firm. 

Mark’s impressive career journey includes leadership positions with prominent industry players such as Stewart Smith Group and AmWINS Brokerage. He has also contributed significantly to business development at RT Specialty and Swett & Crawford. Most notably, Mark is a Founding Partner of XPT, demonstrating his commitment to the company’s vision and success.

With a proven track record in business development and a deep understanding of distribution dynamics, Mark Smith is poised to lead XPT Specialty into a new era of growth, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

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