Leadership Team
MiniCo’s success can be attributed to the deep industry knowledge of the individuals in our organization. Our staff is committed to exceeding the expectations of our agency partners. Meet the leaders that are innovating, motivating, and driving growth for everyone at MiniCo.
Rick Krouner
President, Specialty Programs Division
Biography
Rick is responsible for all specialty program operations. With his proven track record, industry-leading expertise, and experience, he leads the Specialty Programs Division in its distribution, growth, and product development strategies. Rick has been in the program space for over 40 years and has extensive leadership and executive experience. He was founder, president, and CEO of a program administrator specializing in construction and habitational business in the Northeast and served as an owner/partner in Aran Insurance Services Group prior to its acquisition Jencap. Rick has served as an expert witness in several reinsurance/insurance disputes in the construction and managing general agency fields. He holds a B.S. in Risk Management and Insurance from Syracuse University.
Jim Henry
President, National Programs Division
Biography
Jim is responsible for all national program operations and brings extensive multiline underwriting and carrier experience to his leadership of the National Programs Division in its distribution and growth strategies. He joined MiniCo in 2011 as MiniCo’s Chief Underwriting Officer and leader of the Agribusiness program. Jim has over 25 years of experience at the executive level specializing in program expansion, integration, and underwriting operations. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Miami University (OH) as well as the CPCU, ARM, ARe, AIS, AIC, and AFIS insurance designations.
Vince Terlaje
Executive Vice President
Biography
Vince oversees MiniCo’s Nonprofit & Social Services and Adult Residential Facilities programs. He joined MiniCo in 2021 when these programs migrated from NIF Group to MiniCo under mutual parent company Jencap Group LLC. Vince has over 35 years of executive and program management experience with specialization in commercial property and casualty, professional liability, claims, and risk management. He holds a B.A. in Business Management from Seattle University as well as the CPCU, RPLU, AU, and ARe insurance designations.
Michael Attanasio
Senior Vice President, Professional Liability
Biography
Michael oversees and provides senior leadership for MiniCo’s Lawyers Professional Liability, Miscellaneous Professional Liability, and Cyber programs. A 25-year insurance professional, Michael’s experience includes program development, underwriting, production, marketing, compliance, carrier reporting, and broker management. He holds a B.S. in Management and Marketing from Siena College.
Bryant Michels
Senior Vice President, Architects & Engineers Professional Liability
Biography
Bryant oversees MiniCo’s Architects and Engineers Professional Liability and Property Owners’ Association Liability programs. Bryant has 15 years of underwriting experience as a Lloyd’s coverholder, and his insurance industry expertise includes program development, profitable underwriting, and strategic planning. He holds the RPLU designation through the Professional Liability Underwriting Society as well as a bachelor’s degree in Geosciences and Economics from Hamilton College.
Ella Tayrien
Vice President, Claims
Biography
Ella is responsible for the claims operations of MiniCo’s business lines. She has over 30 years of experience as a claims professional with expertise in a wide range of operational and development roles. Prior to joining MiniCo in 2019, Ella held senior management positions with Armed Forces Insurance, Traders Insurance Company, QBE/OneBeacon, and Federated Rural Electrical Insurance Exchange. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Park University and two associate degrees from the Insurance Institute of America.
Josh Leykam
Vice President, Underwriting
Biography
Josh oversees underwriting operations for MiniCo’s nationwide Commercial Self-Storage, Tenant Insurance, Deductible Buy-Back, and Collectibles programs. Josh joined MiniCo in November 2022, having previously served as Regional Director for Hanover Insurance Group where he led multi-branch middle market underwriting teams and portfolio strategy for numerous industry segments and lines of business. Josh’s 18 years of P&C experience spans underwriting, operations, distribution, leadership, and strategy. Josh holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A. in Management from the University of Missouri.
Nathan Garrett
Vice President, Underwriting
Biography
Nate provides senior leadership for MiniCo’s Agribusiness and Animal Mortality programs. An experienced underwriting manager with over 25 years as an insurance professional, his expertise includes sales, team building, account management, leadership, strategic planning, and compliance. Nate holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Illinois State University.
John Ware
Senior Vice President
Biography
John leads MiniCo’s Hired and Non-Owned Auto program for food and cannabis delivery. His diverse experience in the insurance industry includes expertise in program development and underwriting, strategic planning, marketing, and compliance. John played a key leadership role at the former Genesse General prior to that company’s acquisition by Jencap. He has extensive expertise in excess and surplus lines and is a frequent speaker and panel member at insurance industry conferences and events.
James Appleton
Director of Program Sales
Biography
As Director of Program Sales, James serves as the primary point of contact for agents seeking information about MiniCo’s programs. He brings his over 20 years of management experience in business development, sales, and marketing to his role as well as eight years of experience managing MiniCo’s Fine Art and Collectibles and Self-Storage Tenant Insurance programs. James has experience in the insurance, real estate, and investment industries with specialized expertise in the self-storage sector. He has served as a board member and technology chairman of the Arizona Self Storage Association for over 15 years and holds a B.S. in Film, Television, and Digital Media from Texas Christian University.
Leslie Wilson
Senior Vice President, Underwriting Manager
Biography
Leslie manages and provides senior leadership to MiniCo’s Sacramento office program underwriting operations for the Artisan Contractors and Landscaping programs. She oversees all day-to-day activities including agency and carrier relations while directing the underwriting, administration, accounting, and information systems teams. With 24 years of experience as an underwriter and wholesale broker, Leslie brings a profitability-focused approach to managing programs and enhancing carrier relationships.
Rick Paladino
Senior Vice President, Professional Liability
Biography
Rick oversees and provides senior leadership for MiniCo’s Miscellaneous Professional Liability program. His extensive insurance industry experience includes over 27 years in underwriting, program development, wholesale relationships, and management including executive roles at Ironshore, WKFC, and PIA. Rick holds a B.S. in History from Mercy University.
Brianna Reams
Director of Finance
Biography
As MiniCo’s Director of Finance, Brianna oversees all company financial activities including budget development, revenue reporting, distribution of funds, and implementation of corporate financial policies. Her financial expertise, management experience, and specialization in the insurance and venture capital industries make her uniquely qualified to lead the accounting team and provide direction for the company’s financial strategy. Brianna is a licensed C.P.A. and holds an M.S. in Professional Accounting and Auditing from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Arizona.