Senior Staff

Benjamin J. McKay, JD, MPA

Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1132

Ben McKay joined the SLA in 2012 after a career in both the private and public sector. Most recently, Ben spent eight years with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) as its Senior Vice President for Federal Government Relations. In that role, Ben was named one of Washington D.C.’s top lobbyists five times by The Hill, one of the city’s leading political newspapers. Prior to his time at PCI, Ben served as Chief of Staff to a member of United States Congress in Washington, D.C., and worked on financial services and international relations issues.

Other career highlights include eight years as staff to members of the Florida legislature, where he worked on insurance, economic development, banking, criminal justice, and other important issues. He served a tour as a regulator at the Florida Department of State, where he held the position of Deputy Secretary for International and Legislative Affairs. Later, he served as the youngest Chief of Staff in the history of the 750-employee department. Ben received his Juris Doctor from Catholic University, his Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.

Joy Erven, MBA

Chief Operating Officer and Director

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1105
E: Contact

Curriculum Vitae

As Chief Operating Officer and Director, Joy is responsible for overseeing accounting, purchasing, banking, and financial investments. Joy prepares and presents the annual budget and quarterly financial statements, and interfaces with outside auditors for the annual financial audit.

David Kodama, Jr

Executive Vice President

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1136
E: Contact

As Executive Vice President, David oversees the Education and Compliance, Financial Analysis and Digital Communications departments of the SLA. With a deep background in actuarial sciences and policy analysis, David also provides the SLA detailed perspectives on the effects of the marketplace, as well as legislation and regulation, on the surplus lines industry.

Susan Bryant, MBA

Senior Vice President, Financial Analysis

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1121
E: Contact

Curriculum Vitae

As Senior Vice President, Financial Analysis, Susan coordinates SLA participation in the security review program for the insurance commissioner’s List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers (LASLI). She represents the SLA at monthly meetings with the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and provides input on SLA compliance with the CDI Plan of Operation.

Michael Caturegli

Senior Vice President, Data Analysis & Technology

P: 415-434-4900
E: Contact

Curriculum Vitae

The Senior Vice President, Data Analysis & Technology is responsible for the SLA’s data analysis filing operations and technology functions. As the head of Data Analysis, Michael and his team of compliance professionals insure that all California surplus lines filings are recorded accurately and SLA members adhere to CDI compliance standards. As head of Technology, Michael and his department of technologists are responsible for all SLA office computing equipment, system operations, websites, network security and telecommunications. He is responsible for ensuring that all internal employees, as well as SLA members and affiliates, have the automated tools they need to access information and process policy filings. The SVP of Data Analysis & Technology also represents the SLA with the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Audit and Fraud Prevention Divisions, and provides input on SLA compliance with state surplus lines regulations. Both SLA functions work together to provide meaningful data and analytics to the CDI, Board of Directors, and association stakeholders, in addition to continually keeping up with industry trends.

Cliston Brown

Vice President, Public Affairs

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1139
E: Contact

Curriculum Vitae

As Vice President, Public Affairs, Cliston leads the SLA's outreach efforts to legislators and legislative staff in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Additionally, he is responsible for media relations and executive communications.

Jo Ann Del Gatto

Vice President, Education and Compliance

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1145
E: Contact

As Vice President, Education and Compliance, Jo Ann provides guidance, education and support to the association’s membership and affiliates in their understanding of California’s surplus line laws. Her department develops and provides continuing education (CE) courses throughout the state, and also works closely with the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

James Greene

Vice President, Digital Communications

P: 415-434-4900 ext. 1165
E: Contact

As Vice President of Digital Communications, James is responsible for ensuring that SLA members receive high-quality digital information on a regular basis about the marketplace and how it affects them. He also leads the SLA’s digital efforts at its various meetings and events throughout the year and compiles an ongoing visual history of the association and the industry.