Mike is a dynamic leader and current President, CEO and Founder of two nationally recognized Professional Liability brokerages, Axis Insurance Services, LLC, and PLRisk Specialty Insurance Service, a nationally recognized Professional Liability Insurance Wholesale Brokerage. His vision was to provide an alternative to the cookie-cutter insurance brokers so focused on profitability and process that they had lost true value and client-focused attention. As a former practicing CPA, Auditor and Chief Financial and Operations Officer, he brings a unique perspective to the insurance process from the buyer’s perspective.

His innovative approach, combined with hands-on operational experience, provides a unique perspective for his clients. Over his tenure of more than 25 years driving the direction of these companies, he has grown the company from a one-person shop to a national player in the professional, management, and cyber liability markets. His companies have experienced double-digit growth each year. His passionate desire to develop staff, young professionals and to give back to his community does not go unnoticed in the industry.

With over three decades of experience in the insurance industry, Mike is renowned for his in-depth knowledge and keen insights. His ability to develop creative coverage solutions has established him as a trusted resource, frequently sought after as a speaker, guest panelist, and writer on topics related to professional and management liability risk and insurance.

Professional Journey 

Mike's career began in the financial sector as a CPA audit manager at Coopers & Lybrand, which is now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). In this role, he provided audit and consulting services to insurance and healthcare clients, including several high-profile Fortune 500 companies.

His specialization in the area of auditing some of the largest insurance companies in the Northeast. Among his clients were some of the largest and most well-known insurance companies in the country. His further specialization focused on the financial rehabilitation of insurance companies, mergers, and acquisitions. This gave Mike a unique perspective in evaluating the true risks of his clients and assessing their needs to help them manage risks effectively. He began rewriting insurance policies and adding unique coverages long before it was a common practice. This, along with his work on insurance company liquidations, equipped him with a profound understanding of the insurance landscape. His professional journey cast a wide net as Mike became a common speaker, educator, and writer on Industry topics. Additionally, his volunteer efforts included organizations such as Autism Speaks, CUMAC, Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), Shatterproof, Underground Railroad, and countless others. His belief that in giving back as the first step in moving forward is central to his success. He has served on many boards, including being a past Chair of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society Eastern Chapter in New York, where he served on the board for 13 years.

Prior to his current position, he held several positions, including Vice President at Medical Inter-Insurance Exchange (MIIX), a medical malpractice carrier, involved aiding in mergers and acquisitions and the development of numerous insurance programs. He later took on the role of Chief Financial and Operations Officer of a subsidiary, The Physicians Insurance Exchange Company of New Jersey, where he was instrumental in building a physician-owned insurance carrier from the ground up. His responsibilities included overseeing hiring, systems development, licensing, and marketing, all of which contributed to his comprehensive expertise in the industry.

Credentials and Affiliations

Mike achieved a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in 1986 and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Professional Insurance Agents Association (PIA), Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), Claim Liability Managers, (CLM) and Insurance Brokers Association of New York (IBANY), just to name a few. He has been honored to be the opening speaker for the Autism Speaks annual fundraiser and the top corporate partner for CUMAC, a local food bank. He is a certified insurance continuing education teacher and a frequent speaker and writer of industry topics. and the Risk and Insurance Management Association (RIMS). He has also completed Dale Carnegie, Leadership and Sales training, The Oz Principle corporate training and event Tony Robbins management training programs, all of which underscore his commitment to accountability, leadership, and continual development.

Beyond his professional life, Mike is a founding member of the FSU Seminole Club of the Delaware Valley in Philadelphia and a former finance chair, Sunday School teacher and Lay Leader at his local church. He has coached little league baseball, served as a cub scout leader and a constant mentor to many of our future youth leaders, He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida State University and is an avid sports fan.

Recent Speaking Engagements

Mike's expertise and insights have been showcased in various articles and recent speaking engagements, including:

Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) Guest Panelist – E&O and the Real Estate Bubble

IBANY/PLUS Guest Panelist – Diversifying Revenue Streams in a Soft Market

NAI Global Asset Services – E&O for Commercial Real Estate Firms

Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Commercial Crime Risks for Property Managers

NAI Global Property Management Council – Multiple presentations regarding E&O and Cyber Risks in the commercial real estate market

Claim Liability Managers – Recent Trends in claims using alternative services.

American Mortgage Association – Recent claims trends for Mortgage Brokers

Mike has conducted hundreds of in-person and virtual webinars and seminars on topics ranging from Cyber Risks to insurance agent and Broker Best Practices and Cash Management Strategies

Other

Mike’s real passion comes from his desire to help others both in professional development and his community. He is strongly committed to both his family and his faith. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and son.