August 2025

The Power of Committees

One of the greatest strengths of IMUA is how much of the organization is member-driven. That’s not just a phrase—it’s a reality that I’ve witnessed since arriving at IMUA, and one that I’m sure many of you have experienced much longer. And nowhere is that more evident than in our committees.

Our regional and technical committees are where the heart of IMUA beats loudest. These groups bring together volunteers from across the industry—underwriters, claims professionals, risk specialists, brokers, and beyond—who generously give their time and talent to help move our industry forward.

It’s probably not surprising that I like to highlight what IMUA does for its members, but our committees are a powerful example of what members do for each other.

For those that are new, or just as a refresher, we have two types of committees at IMUA:

• Regional Committees focus on local inland marine challenges and bring IMUA programming to members across the country who want to get to know others in their community, or may not be able to attend our big gathering at the Annual Meeting.
• Technical Committees focus on industry specialties—things like claims, transportation, construction, and legislative affairs. The best, and perhaps most underrated aspect of technical committees, is that you don’t need to be an expert to join. All you need is curiosity, passion, or the desire to learn and contribute.

If you read that closely, that means there is a place on one or more committees for every single person within IMUA. I firmly believe that is one of the most powerful ways to get involved in our organization and the industry. And none of this would be possible without the leaders who step up to chair these committees. I want to take a moment to recognize and thank them personally:

Regional Committees & Chairs

• Canada – Committee chair open
• Chesapeake – Dustin Jones, Ascot Group
• Midwest – Bevin Henry Picchietti, Arch Re Facultative
• New England – Bryce Finnan, Chubb
• Northeast – Deirdre McNally, Munich Re America
• Ohio Valley – Rebecca Molosky, AXA XL
• Pacific Coast – Monique Howard, Ascot Group
• Southeast – Loren Kippels, The Hartford
• Southwest – Emily Nosenchuk, Sompo

I’m excited to give a shoutout to our recently rebooted committee in Ohio—now proudly renamed the Ohio Valley Regional—led by our new chair, Rebecca Molosky, AXA XL. Please see our recent LinkedIn post to see what they have been up to.  If you have any questions, please contact me.

Technical Committees & Chairs

• Arts & Records — Andrew Gristina, Great American Insurance Group
• Construction Installation & Contractors Equipment — Ron Castellanos, Selective Insurance
• National Education — Gina Domitrovich, Berkley Fire  & Marine Underwriters
• Legislative & Regulatory Affairs — Christine Palmieri, Travelers
• Loss Prevention & Claims — Kirk Rider, Lockton Companies
• Transportation — Dafir Ouazzani, Ascot Group

These chairs—and the committee members who serve alongside them—are the lifeblood of our association. They lead with dedication, they bring others along with them, and they never stop working to ensure IMUA is delivering value, relevance, and opportunity to our members.

I’ve alluded to this before, but the reality is that by joining a committee, you never know where it might lead. Many of our current board members and leaders got their start in an IMUA committee. It’s a great way to build your network, grow professionally, and shape the future of the industry—together. And remember—you don’t have to know everything. In fact, some of the best contributions come from those who are eager to ask questions and bring fresh perspectives. In particular, please contact me if you have interest in chairing or joining the Canada Regional Committee. I’d encourage you to visit our Committees Page to explore all committees and their scopes.

In closing, I am convinced that whether you’re an inland marine veteran or brand new to the field, there’s a place for you in IMUA’s committees. We’d love to have you, and I hope you’ll take this opportunity.

Warmly,
Matt Derrick
President & CEO
IMUA