What are your primary job responsibilities?

In a nutshell, the main focus of my job is to maintain the balance of my book of business through the underwriting process. I have the responsibility of accepting and retaining property risk, as well as determining coverage amounts and premiums according to the policyholder's risk profile while also making sure the risks are in line with the quality and pricing of the rest of the risks in my book.

Why did you choose the MS-RMI Program at FSU?

When many of my peers were pursuing their CPCU designations, I decided to take a different path. I wanted to pursue a master's degree so I could pair my years of experience in insurance with an in-depth understanding of risk management at an institution with a top-recognized program that was flexible for working professionals. FSU met all my requirements.

How did your graduate education help shape your professional experiences?

Of all the things I learned throughout my tenure as a student at FSU, the one I remember the most and the one that I use all the time is the concept of anti-fragility. Now, many decisions I make at work get filtered through this concept first. I could ramble for hours on the subject and still not be close to explaining it, so I suggest to those interested to read the book "Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

How has working in your industry changed the way you look at the world?

Insurance is a misunderstood industry. It is hard to grasp due to the fact that we will not use it until we need it. It is a concept that once it is appreciated for what it is, it changes the way we make decisions since now there is a way to minimize our risk. We always think about the "what-ifs" in life. Insurance gives you the opportunity and peace of mind to ignore that noise. Now I want to buy insurance for everything, and I suggest it to everyone I know.

How have you stayed connected to the FSU MS-RMI Program?

Luckily, we have the internet and LinkedIn, so that has been of great help for me to stay connected with my cohort.

Who do you admire and why?

I admire my mother. She is the epitome of perseverance. She is a prosperous business owner who started with nothing. She always told us to be persistent because nothing is impossible. Her words are always on my mind and that is what prompted my sister and me to pursue our dreams. We would not have been successful in our endeavors without her support.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife is my biggest supporter and partner in crime. Sometimes I am not sure why she puts up with me and agrees to my ideas, but I am sure glad she is always in my corner.

What is your favorite office snack?

I have not been to the office in a while due to the pandemic, but something I miss a lot is the assorted chocolates and candy that magically appeared on the kitchen counter on a weekly basis. Those were great mid-morning snacks. Also, there is something about the smell of that nondescript brand of office coffee that I miss too.

What is your superpower or spirit animal?

My spirit animal is the domestic dog. Someone said "it's a dog's life" to refer to a life full of troubles, but I guess whoever said it never met a good ole' American dog. You get to sleep all day on that sunny spot without a worry in the world, you can bark at any random noise regardless of your human's scheduled Zoom meetings, you can eat and drink as much as you want, you get to hang out with your friends once a week at the dog park.... I could go on and on, but what is not to like about that life?