About TRU

The TRU Difference

The value of working with TRU goes beyond the market-leading service, expertise, and insurance solutions tailored for complex construction exposures. The benefits of working with TRU include loss mitigation and security programs designed to intercept arson attempts and reduce theft and vandalism at your insured’s construction sites. We also leverage our cutting-edge underwriting technology and unique data sources to provide responsive solutions to your client’s coverage needs.

Our dedicated and experienced team is committed to ensuring your clients receive exceptional service and innovative solutions tailored specifically to their risks.

Superior Policy Form

• TRU Completed Value Builder’s Risk form
• Available delay trigger based on occupancy
• Superior terms in the event of a loss

Enhanced Sublimits & Coverage Extensions

• Manuscript coverages bespoke to each of your client’s projects
• Expediting and Extra Expense
• Water Damage and Intrusion
• Pollution Coverage
• Ensuing Mold Coverage

The description of this program is only a summary of available coverages. Actual policy language will dictate the scope of coverage in the event of a claim. We encourage policyholders and their agents, to read the full policy form and any applicable endorsements for full terms and conditions.

Meet the Team

Leadership

Katie Davies

CEO

Katie Davies is the CEO of Technical Risk Underwriters, a part of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers. Katie has over 18 years of experience underwriting US property insurance on an E&S, admitted, and program basis.

Katie is a graduate of Georgetown University with a bachelor’s degree in Government with an International Relations focus.

312-637-8289
katie.davies@truins.com

Chris Burns, CRIS

President

Chris Burns is a founding member of Technical Risk Underwriters. Burns holds the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation from the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) and attained a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Economics from Appalachian State University. Throughout his career, Burns has leveraged technology, computer virtualization, and advanced application of statistical modeling to inform underwriting decisions. At TRU, Burns focuses on blending innovative approaches with classic underwriting tools to provide retailers and brokers with unique solutions for their risk transfer needs. Previously managed COC portfolios for several London Syndicates, AIG, and QBE.

512-982-1788
cburns@truins.com

Legal

Mark Katz, J.D.

EVP, General Counsel for Ryan Specialty

Mark Katz joined Ryan Specialty in 2019. Prior to joining, Mark was a partner with the law firm Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass LLP, accumulating 25 years of experience analyzing and litigating complex insurance coverage disputes on the behalf of insurers, with a special emphasis on commercial property litigation. He has been involved in matters concerning large-loss property damage claims, builder’s risk claims, lost business income, extra expense, and delay in completion/start-up losses, among others.

Mark is a frequent lecturer on first-party property insurance issues and is admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars. He has mediated, arbitrated, and litigated throughout the United States, and is a graduate of Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and of Hofstra Law School (J.D. 1993), where he was an editor of the Hofstra Law Review.

Andrew Rice, J.D.

Assistant General Council for Ryan Specialty

Andrew Rice serves as Assistant General Counsel with TRU. In his prior practice, he advised and represented clients primarily in the areas of builder’s risk, commercial property, and reinsurance.

Andrew is a graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School.

Operations

Nicole Maddocks

Director of Operations

Nicole Maddocks joined TRU in June 2014 and works in the Austin office. She supports the TRU team by managing and optimizing day-to-day processes that facilitate remarkable client service.

Nicole holds a Master of Science degree in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Long Island University.

512-354-2016
nicole.maddocks@truins.com

Kevin Refior

Business Analyst

Kevin Refior joined TRU in January of 2020 and works in the Chicago office. He supports Nicole on the Operations team and completes all necessary reporting. Prior to joining TRU, Kevin worked for Accumulations Technology which helped Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan optimize their claim processing.

Kevin has a Master of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics, both from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Underwriting

Laura Barton

Senior Underwriter

Laura Barton joined TRU in 2012 and has over ten years of experience in underwriting COC projects. Prior to joining TRU, Laura was a Builder’s Risk Underwriter at OnPoint Underwriting, the in-house Insurance Consultant for the CMBS market at JPMorgan Chase Bank and a Commercial Lines Underwriter at Auto-Owners Insurance Company.

Laura graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Risk Management and Insurance.

John Medford

Senior Underwriter

John Medford joined the TRU team in 2012. He is experienced in MGA operations and Ocean & Inland Marine underwriting.

John is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Risk Management & Insurance and Real Estate.

Aaron Reissner

Senior Underwriter

Aaron Reissner Joined TRU in 2012 and has 5+ years of experience in underwriting COC projects. Prior to joining TRU, Aaron worked at a Surety underwriting company. Aaron is now underwriting out of TRU’s Austin office.

Aaron graduated from University Of Georgia with a Business Administration degree in Risk Management and Insurance.

Jade Herring, CRIS

Underwriter

Jade Herring joined TRU in 2019 and has over ten years of experience in underwriting commercial property for Admitted and E&S markets. Prior to joining TRU, Jade was an underwriter at AmRisc.

Jade holds the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation from the International Risk Management Institute. She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Psychology.

Selina Kodish, CRIS

Underwriter

Selina Kodish joined TRU in January 2015 upon moving to the United States from Germany. Previously a project manager and risk analyst, she is now underwriting Course of Construction projects out of TRU’s Atlanta office.

Selina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Chris Sangalang

Risk Analyst

Chris Sangalang joined TRU in 2019. He supports the underwriting team in the Austin office. He previously worked for Zurich North America in the energy property team.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Houston with a concentration in Global Energy Management.

Allison Varn

Risk Analyst

Allison Varn joined TRU in 2019 and supports the underwriting team in Atlanta.

Allison is a graduate of Georgia State University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Risk Management with a focus in Analytics. While attending Georgia State University, Allison was involved in Gamma Iota Sigma, an academic fraternity for insurance, risk management, and actuarial science.

Alexandria Cervera

Risk Analyst

Alexandria Cervera joined TRU in 2020 and supports the underwriting team in the Austin office. She previously worked for Markel as a surety underwriting assistant.

Alex has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Loss Control

Joseph Amodeo, PE

Director of Engineering

Joseph Amodeo joined TRU in 2013 and is focused on Engineering and Loss Prevention.

His credentials are extensive, including the following:

• Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
• Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University
• Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from Austin Community College
• Licensed Professional Engineer in State of TX since 2016
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) member
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) member
• American Planning Associations (APA) member

John Jeng, ARM,CFPS

Loss Protection Engineer

John Jeng joined the TRU Loss Control team in 2019. Previously, he worked as an engineer on the risk management teams for the Kimberly-Clark and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) corporations, focusing on property risk consulting.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree from Texas A&M University. He also has the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) designation with the National Fire Protection (NFP), in addition to being an NFP member.

Brandon Cruz

Security Analyst

Brandon Cruz joined TRU in 2021 and has over 10 years of experience in security. Brought on to aid in safety-related initiatives, Brandon brings a unique background and point of view to TRU’s diverse team. Prior to joining TRU, Brandon served in the military for over a decade. As a Navy Seal, he completed tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Following his military service, Brandon spent time in the private security sector handling anti-piracy off the coast of Somalia, as well as in executive protection, providing security towards high profile individuals.