Industry Advisory Committee - Risk Management and Insurance

Risk Management and Insurance Advisory Committee

Chad Balon

Since 2015, Chad has led the risk management function at Wolverine World Wide, Inc., a global marketer and retailer of footwear, apparel and accessories. In his current role, he is responsible for the Company’s risk management strategy including risk transfer programs, Enterprise Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, claims resolution, property risk control, and Business Continuity Planning.

Prior to joining Wolverine World Wide, Chad held risk management positions of increasing responsibility in multiple Fortune 500 organizations and started his career as a loss control consultant in the employee leasing industry. He is a current member of the RIMS Student Advisory Council and a prior member of the RIMS Technology Advisory Council. Chad received his Bachelor’s degree in Safety & Environmental Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA in Finance from Western Michigan University. In 2005 he earned the Associate in Risk Management designation.

Chad is a member the East Grand Rapids Library Commission and the Supervisory Committee of United Federal Credit Union. He served as a volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America between 2011 and 2019.

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Brooke Baker

Brooke Baker is an Account Manager at Aon, and a recent graduate of Ferris State University. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management & Insurance, complemented by a minor in Legal Studies. During her time at Ferris State, Brooke served as the Upsilon Chapter President of Gamma Iota Sigma (a nationally-recognized professional risk management & insurance fraternity) for two years, and was recognized by the College of Business with the Student Excellence Award.

While Brooke was a Ferris Bulldog, she prioritized gaining experience in the industry, in addition to her education. She worked closely with the university’s risk manager, helping in the management of incidents and claims. Two pivotal internships further shaped her expertise: client-side experience at Mejer, primarily working with general liability and learning the intricacies of the claims process; Additionally, experience at Great American Insurance Group in the excess and surplus (E&S) carrier side, delving into property underwriting.

Since joining Aon, Brooke has rapidly developed both technical and interpersonal skills being on the agency side of the insurance industry, managing insurance programs for multiple accounts across industries such as manufacturing, food & beverage, and retail. She is also a member of the Detroit RIMS organization and the CPCU Society.

Brooke is passionate about bringing in new talent into the insurance industry and offers a fresh perspective to the advisory board. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI, and is originally from Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Dr. David Allen Brown

Dr. Brown joined Ferris State University in August 2013 after several years as an entrepreneur, consultant, and risk management/insurance professional. He developed and grew a business process outsourcing enterprise serving the risk management and insurance industry, eventually selling the business to Ebix, Inc. in 2008. He served as a Vice President at Ebix while completing work on his doctoral degree with specialization in technology entrepreneurship. Dr. David Brown has been a commercial insurance underwriter, market research analyst, risk manager, risk management information system consultant, software developer, and entrepreneur. In addition to his corporate ventures, Dr. Brown and his wife Jeannine founded Rivertown Bookstore, a small independent bookseller in their hometown of Portland, Michigan. Dr. Brown and his wife Jeannine have three adult daughters.

When not teaching or involved in business projects, Dr. Brown enjoys reading, writing, and exploring the wide open spaces of southeastern Wyoming where he and his wife own property west of Laramie.

Kevin J. Cross

A 1986 graduate of Ferris State University, Kevin has served on the Ferris State University Alumni Association Board of Directors for eight years, holding the position of President from 2002–04. Kevin is a member of the University’s Presidents Club. Kevin also serves on the Ferris Foundation Board from 2013 to present serving as the Chair from 2013–15.

Active in the greater Grand Rapids community, Kevin served as President of the Comstock Park Rotary Club and have been an active member of the Rotary and several other community organizations his entire career.

Kevin lives in Ada, MI with his wife Patti and their three children.

Kurt Dettmer

Kurt M. Dettmer is currently the Senior Vice President of Insurance Sales and Business Development for Retailers Insurance Company. Dettmer joined the organization in 2013. His current responsibilities include reviewing analytics, creating pricing strategies, strengthening agency relations, and developing automation efficiencies.

Prior to joining Retailers Insurance, Dettmer held the position of Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Sales at Fremont Insurance Company. During his 15-year tenure at Fremont, the company more than quadrupled direct written premium while going through the transformation from a mutual to a stock company. He also previously worked for The ASU Group in Okemos, MI as a third-party administrator, property adjuster, and casualty specialist.

Dettmer graduated from Ferris State University in 1991 with Bachelor of Science in Business, majoring in Risk Management & Real Estate and Associates in Diversified Business. Dettmer is proud of being one of three graduates who petitioned Ferris State University to return the insurance program and fill the industry void of young professionals.

Fred Driscoll

Frederick D. Driscoll is the Director, Risk Financing and Captive Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company (BCBSM), a $30 billion, not-for-profit health insurer. In this role, Fred manages all aspects of the placement and claims administration for the property and casualty insurance programs for BCBSM and its subsidiaries. Additionally, Fred is responsible for the day-to-day oversite of Woodward Straits Insurance Company (WSIC), a wholly-owned captive insurance company established in 2015.

Prior to joining BCBSM, Fred was Director, Risk Financing and Insurance Programs at Excellus BCBS in Rochester, New York. Fred has served as the senior risk management professional with several organizations in both the financial services and health care industries and with both for profit and not-for profit entities. Fred has been responsible for, and/or participated in, the management of seven different captive insurance companies including single parent and group captives.

Fred has a Bachelor of Science in Insurance from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Martha DuCharme

Martha Ducharme has over 29 years of experience working in the insurance and technology industries and participates in vendor and industry conferences. Martha currently works for HOMEE as a Senior Carrier Client Account Manager where she maintains client facing interaction providing business improvement opportunities and workflow assessment. Prior to HOMEE, Martha has worked as a multi-line claim representative, a branch manager for a top ten insurer as well as working for insurance focused data technology companies as an analytics account manager and in technical product consultation.

Ms. Ducharme graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in insurance. She has earned the CPCU, ARM, AIM, AIC, AIS, AIT and AIDA designations. Martha also earned her MBA from Capella University, a Master of Science in Information Assurance from the University of Detroit Mercy and is licensed for Property & Casualty in the State of Michigan. She has served on the Board of the West Michigan Chapter of The CPCU Society, worked with AICPCU/IIA, is an alum of Gamma Iota Sigma, is a member of ISACA, and supports community activities with a local AMBUCS chapter. In 2011 Martha began serving on the Information Technology Interest Group Committee through the National CPCU Society, as of 2022 this has converted to the Innovation and Technology Committee. In 2023, Martha joined the Legal and Regulatory Interest Group Committee through the National CPCU Society July 2023.

Mike Hubbel

Michael R. Hubbel is Professor Emeritus at Olivet College, on the faculty for the MBA programs at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and the Center for Professional Education at the Tobin School of Business at St. John’s University. Hubbel led the Risk Management and Insurance Center at Olivet College to be ranked 8th in the nation by Business Insurance and listed as one of 20 notable RMI programs in the world by Risk Management magazine, and the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma to be consistently ranked in the top 3 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, and best chapter 3 times.

Hubbel’s 43 years in the field of risk management and insurance included work for several insurance companies in the areas of research and product development, education, and government relations; his last appointment as the vice president of an insurance company. He has provided seminars for a variety of organizations and professionals around the world, has designed online courses for several universities and major corporations, and has advised universities on the creation, design and promotion of RMI programs.

Hubbel earned the BA in Risk and Insurance at Michigan State University, and the MBA in Risk Management at The College of Insurance, now part of St. John’s University in New York. He has earned the CPCU, ARM, AU, AIM, ARP, ASLI, and ARE professional designations from the Insurance Institutes.

Terra Johnson

Terra graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and earned her MPA from Western Michigan University in Human Resources Administration. After becoming a Legal Principles Claim Specialist in 2007, a Fraud Claim Law Specialist in 2008, a Liability Claim Law Specialist in 2009, and a Property Claim Law Specialist in 2010, she earned the Senior Claim Law Associate designation, the ultimate designation for a claims professional in claims law. Terra is insurance licensed in 31 states and is a speaker and panelist on industry affairs and legal and risk management issues.

Terra has extensive experience in the insurance and financial services business with strengths in contracts and insurance coverage analysis and claims litigation management. As a Senior Resolution Manager for Gallagher Bassett Services, she specializes in professional liability litigation, employment practices, school board legal liability, errors and omissions, and cyber liability. Terra is skilled in risk consulting and providing specialty insurance program services to create tailored solutions for self-insureds and to solve complex business problems across multiple lines of business.

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Rebecca Laing-Austin

Rebecca A Laing Austin is currently an Agency Business Consultant with Farmers Insurance District Office in Grand Rapids MI. In this role, Rebecca manages a Team of Farmers Agency Owners in West Central and Northern MI providing support in all aspects of Agency Operations including Agency Business Plans, Agency Profit and Loss Development, Growth Initiatives and, Agency Staffing support.

Rebecca is no stranger to the Insurance and Financial Services Industry, having spent 7+ years as a Farmers Insurance Agency Owner herself. She currently holds Licenses in Property/Casualty, Life/Accident & Health, Variable Products/Annuities, Long Term Care, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow Designation (LUTC) as well as several Financial Licenses including Series 6, 63, and, her Registered Principle Series 26.

2011 Rebecca was also awarded Business Woman of the Year through the National Association of Professional Women.

After a successful career in starting and developing a Farmers Agency in Fremont, MI., Rebecca now coaches, teaches, and advises other Farmers Insurance Agents how to achieve the same success as a Farmers District Office Corporate Executive.

Derek Lodholtz

Derek is passionate about the Risk Industry and the value that it can bring to the new workers continually entering the workforce. As a graduate of the RMIN program at Ferris State University he knows firsthand how the curriculum can jumpstart a career. Derek has been in the insurance industry since 2013, contributing in many different facets of the independent agency world. Derek has specialized in Employee Benefits and helping businesses with both the Finance details around their benefit decisions as well as the Human Resource concerns that come to table when these plans are implemented. His favorite activity in his work revolves around self-funded arrangements and managing the risk present within the plans in place for his employer clients.

Derek is currently employed as the Benefits Director for Lerner, Csernai & Fath Financial Group where he and his team service clients large and small throughout the State of Michigan. Aside from his risk profession, Derek enjoys a young, but successful career in real estate acquisitions – his entrepreneurial side gets a chance to show here as well as with his involvement in Rotary.

Derek is originally from Northern Michigan and currently resides in Reed City.

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Gayle Lopez

Gayle Lopez is an attorney who teaches Business Law and Legal Studies courses in the College of Business. Gayle is a member of the Michigan Bar Association, the California Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Northern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prior to teaching at Ferris State University, Gayle practiced law in California for 8 years. She represented defendants in a variety of litigated civil cases including premises liability, products liability, automobile liability, contractual indemnity and construction defect. She has an extensive insurance background, which includes contracts and insurance coverage analysis.

Gayle is enjoying her return to Michigan after living in California for 13 years. She is excited about sharing her interest in the law with her students.

Darren Lossia

Darren Lossia is Director of Risk Management Services for Innovative Computer Systems in Troy, Michigan. Through its Finys Insurance suite, Innovative develops and maintains a complete Property and Casualty software system for policy administration, claims and billing. Darren is an attorney and claims professional who designed the Direct Claim Solution software system for Self-Insured organizations. Prior to joining Innovative, Darren was Vice President of Claims for Tokio Marine HCC’s public entity insurance division in Auburn Hills. Darren also worked as an attorney for Plunkett Cooney PLC as a member of its insurance coverage group. Darren represented insurance companies in complex insurance matters involving commercial liability, environmental contamination, construction defect liability and homeowner liability coverage. Darren has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Albion College, a Master’s degree in Management from Walsh College and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan. Darren and his wife have two children and live in Commerce Township, Michigan.

Timothy Mann

Timothy Mann is an Assistant Vice President and Regional Claim Manager at The Hanover Insurance Group. He is responsible for leading a group of claim professionals that handle personal and commercial property claims in 23 states throughout the Midwest and West. He’s a results-oriented insurance executive with a proven track record in leading organizational change, solving complex business problems, and collaborating across departmental boundaries.

Prior to joining Hanover in 2011, Timothy worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. Throughout his 17 years with Liberty, he held various claims technical, operational, and leadership positions across multiple lines of business. He holds a Bachelor degree from Ferris State University, Master’s degree from Aquinas College, and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters designation. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and has a fondness for classic cars.

Mike McBride

W. Michael McBride, JD has over 30 years experience in the insurance and financial services business. Throughout that time he has served on numerous industry boards, advisory councils and committees. As President of Mason-McBride, Inc and Mason McBride Capital Advisors, LLC, he leads a diversified insurance and financial services organization based in Troy, MI. Mason-McBride, Inc. is also a member/shareholder in Summit Risk Management, LLC which provides risk consulting and specialty insurance program services. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance Management from Ferris State University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Detroit Law School in Detroit, Michigan, as well as completing an executive development program at the Wharton School of Business. He is licensed in property/casualty, life, and accident/health insurance in several States and is also an Investment Advisor Representative with LPL Financial, where he holds Series 7 and 66 securities certifications.

Other industry activity includes:

Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, Past President
Agents Assistance Corporation, Past Chairman
Insurance Agents & Brokers of America-Trusted Choice Board Member
Insurance Agents & Brokers of America-Past Technical Affairs Committee Member
Ferris State University Insurance Program Advisory Board
Great Midwest Insurance Company LTD, Past Board Member
Newco Financial Holdings/Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company, Founding and Past Board Member
Orchard Lake Country Club, Board Member and Finance Committee
Detroit Regional Chamber PAC Committee
Detroit Athletic Club, Former Member Finance Committee
Michigan Bar Association
The Hundred Club of Detroit
Speaker on Industry Affairs
Author, Insurance, Financial & Economic Articles

David McClendon

David McClendon is the son of Florida citrus farmers. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland. Dr. McClendon joined the Ferris faculty in 2012, after holding postdoctoral positions at Northwestern University and Swarthmore College.

He teaches throughout the mathematics curriculum, recently focusing on teaching calculus, advanced probability/statistics and real analysis. He is also the faculty advisor for the university’s chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, the national risk management and actuarial science fraternity.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. McClendon conducts research in ergodic theory, the study of statistical properties of systems that evolve over time. He is also interested in the applications of mathematics to sports analytics.

Jim Parshall

Jim Parshall is currently an executive director of drug delivery research and development at Eli Lilly and Company. Since joining the pharmaceutical firm in 1999, he has held various technical and leadership positions in manufacturing and product development. In each of his roles, Jim championed disruptive innovation that produced significant business impact, including building advanced manufacturing processes, creating digital health capabilities, and developing novel ways of identifying and engaging health technology startups. Throughout his career at the company, Jim executed and enhanced rigorous risk management processes that ensure the safety and quality of Lilly products.

Jim has enjoyed serving on small business and industry advisory boards, as well as providing guidance to startups, venture capital funds, and a university research collaboration. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Kettering University and an M.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University. Before joining Lilly, Jim worked as a lead process and automation engineer at Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, where he learned that eating one’s own mistakes could actually taste good.

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