BS Management ‘94
Ernie Garateix has served as Heritage’s Chief Executive Officer since 2020, after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer from 2014 and Executive Vice President from 2012. With a long career in the insurance industry, he brings extensive expertise in claims, underwriting, systems analysis, and operations.
He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in finance and management from Florida State University and began his career at United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (USF&G), where he advanced through various claims positions and oversaw call center operations. He went on to earn his MBA in Management Information Technology from the University of Tampa before joining FCCI Insurance Group as Associate Vice President of Information Technology. From 2000 to 2007, he led a team of developers, directed major software implementations, and contributed to multi-state expansion projects.
Mr. Garateix later served as Vice President of Operations at American Integrity Insurance Group, where he oversaw all operational functions for the carrier, before joining Heritage. He also holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®) designation.
