Leaders you can trust
Board members
Mark brings over 35 years in fire service, starting as a volunteer firefighter in 1988 and rising through the ranks to Division Chief. He currently oversees Health and Safety, Fitness, Locks and Security, and Emergency Management programs. Mark was named Colorado Fire Service Instructor of the Year in 2010 and has served as past president of the Colorado State Training Officers Association and past Chair of the Colorado Governor's Fire Training and Certification Advisory Board.
He currently serves as co-chair of the Colorado Emergency Managers Association Legislative Committee and represents his department on multiple state-level committees including the State Fire Chiefs Legislative Committee and Denver Urban Area Security Initiative.
Mark has been married for 39 years to his wife Judy, and they have two sons—Robert, who is also a firefighter, and AJ, who has Cerebral Palsy and lives at home. Mark is active with the Special Olympics and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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Ben brings nearly two decades of expertise in public entity financial management, beginning his career at Morgan Stanley before specializing in local government investment advisory services. He has overseen two local government investment pools in Colorado and advises several large public entities along the Front Range and mountain communities. His notable recent achievement was leading the creation of the Centennial State Liquid Investment Pool (CSLIP), Colorado's fourth local government investment pool.
Ben regularly presents at government finance conferences in Colorado and nationally, and serves on multiple education committees as a resource for public entities.
As a devoted husband, father, and proud Colorado native, Ben is passionate about the outdoors. He enjoys angling, big game hunting, conservation, and community involvement.
Greater Eagle Fire Protection District
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Kathy has been a dedicated resident of the Eagle Valley for 35 years and has worked alongside first responders for 18 of those years. She spent seven years with the Avon Police Department before joining the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District in 2015, where she has built progressive experience in Administration, Logistics, Human Resources, Project Management, and Customer Service.
At Greater Eagle Fire, Kathy brings passion to safety risk reduction initiatives while caring deeply for the district's members. She focuses on bridging gaps with innovative ideas, managing operational details, and building inclusive partnerships. Inspired by Sue Silverthorn's dedication to safety and training, Kathy joined CESA as a member before stepping into board leadership.
Kathy is passionate about the "Fail Forward" philosophy—learning and growing through every challenge—and believes in the power of collaboration to help districts find their "why" and develop stronger, safer operations.
VFIS Regional Director
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Aidan serves on Gallagher's Prime team, renowned for its innovative approach to improving clients' risk profiles and reducing the total cost of risk. He has earned the prestigious Inspiration Award for Most Impact on Ethics & Business presented by Cynthia Cooper, NASBA, and holds the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Leadership Certification. As CESA's Membership Development Director, he demonstrates his commitment to expanding and nurturing Colorado's emergency services communities.
Aidan actively participates in the Rocky Mountain RIMS chapter as a member of the Social Committee, fostering community and engagement among industry professionals.
As a Colorado native, Aidan has a deep appreciation for all that the state has to offer, and his unique strategy continues to help clients strive for success.
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Margaret brings nearly a decade of insurance industry expertise, beginning her journey at Gallagher as an intern in 2015 while studying at Illinois State University. She has built a career as a trusted advisor specializing in tailored insurance solutions and risk management strategies for public entities.
Margaret joined the CESA Board in 2021, where she focuses on supporting fire departments and emergency services through alternative insurance solutions and comprehensive risk management programs. Her innovative approach and commitment to public safety help build safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.
Margaret's passion for helping others and deep industry knowledge drive her mission of delivering impactful solutions that protect people, organizations, and communities.
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Team members
Jordyn has been helping injured workers get back to work quickly and safely since joining Pinnacol in 2013. She holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in special education from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Texas. She is a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist II and has earned the Associate in Insurance Services, Associate in Claims, Associate in Risk Management and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designations.
Before joining Pinnacol, Jordyn served as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, bringing valuable experience in helping people overcome challenges and return to productive work.
Michael brings over 20 years of commercial property and casualty insurance experience, including previous roles as senior underwriter and reinsurance underwriter in San Francisco for Cigna Special Risk and American Reinsurance. He also served as assistant vice president for Marsh USA Inc. and Willis Group Holdings, where he consulted on and negotiated middle market property and casualty programs in Denver. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Colorado at Denver and holds Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations.
Michael underwrites workers' compensation policies for some of Pinnacol's largest policyholders and oversees the coordination and delivery of numerous policyholder services, including loss prevention, claims processing and auditing.
Jessica joined Pinnacol Assurance in 2002 and brings over 20 years of workers' compensation experience as a Claims Representative II. She has managed claims for over ten years and is committed to partnering with public entity sector customers. Jessica works closely with injured workers, policyholders, agent partners and medical providers to navigate the workers' compensation process and achieve optimal outcomes.
Jessica is passionate about delivering preeminent customer service and helping injured workers and policyholders through what can often be a challenging time in their lives.
Justine brings over 20 years of experience in insurance and safety, including 16 years at State Farm Insurance in roles from call center representative to claims processing, followed by positions as fleet manager, EHS specialist, safety coordinator, and senior workers' compensation advisor. She holds a Certified Workers' Compensation Counselor (CWCC) designation and has completed OSHA 10 and PEC Safeland courses. She is also a certified medic and first aid instructor.
Justine is an active member of the Colorado PRIMA organization and Pinnacol's Employee Resource Group dedicated to veterans—a cause close to her heart as the daughter and sister of veterans. She is passionate about supporting those who serve our communities, leveraging her expertise to educate public and private sector customers on best practices and safe operating procedures.
Deb serves as Client Service Manager with a deep-rooted passion for supporting public entities through strategic carrier partnerships. Her extensive experience equips her with the expertise to craft tailored insurance programs that meet the unique needs of fire entities and drive impactful results for clients. Inspired by her father's service as a firefighter, Deb is proud to collaborate with fire entities and provide ongoing service and advice throughout the year.
Since relocating to Colorado in 1996, Deb and her husband raised two boys and became active community members. She volunteers with a local non-profit dedicated to serving the homeless, and appreciates Gallagher's support in providing additional time for volunteer opportunities.