Please welcome our 2023 Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs.
For inquiries, please contact dallascpcu@gmail.com.
President
David Owen, CPCU
McGriff Insurance Brokers / Truist Insurance Holdings, Inc
Contact: dowen@mcgriff.com
(he/him/his)
David started his insurance career in 2009 as a commercial account manager with a local independent. Today, David is a VP with McGriff. David attended college on a football scholarship and was on the Big Ten championship team in 2000. After graduating with honors from at Purdue, David began his career in corporate finance. He is a fourth generation property and casualty broker. David is a two-time Risk & Insurance Power Broker® for his proactive service and performance. David served the Dallas chapter as greeter and registrar.
David earned the CPCU designation in 2019.
Board member since 2020.
Vice President & 2024 NTX/OK I-Day Chair
Jason Znoy, CPCU, ARM, SCLA, AIC, SM, AIS, AINS
Sedgwick | Specialty Risk
Contact: jason.cpcu@gmail.com
214 . 563 . 8875
(he/him/his)
Jason is employed with Sedgwick | Specialty Risk managing E&S claims. With nearly 25 years of experience, Jason specializes in 50-state Insurance Claims Law and Dispute Resolution. Beyond the Society, Jason is President of CLM Dallas Chapter (www.linktr.ee/clmdallas), Most Loyal Gander of the Order of the Blue Goose Texas Pond (www.bluegoosetx.org) and VP of Dallas Claims Association (www.dallasclaims.com). He also volunteers his time for DFW RIMS and RISE organizations. In his free time he enjoys margaritas and short naps. lol.
Jason earned the CPCU designation in 2016.
Board member since 2023.
Secretary
Fredricka Myles, CPCU, AINS, AIC-M
State Farm Insurance Company
(she/her/hers)
Fredricka began her insurance career in 2006 with State Farm Insurance. She has held various positions throughout her career and is currently a CCC Retention Manager in Richardson, TX. Fredricka graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and later obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. Fredricka completed her CPCU designation in 2016. Fredricka is a Director on the Dallas CPCU Chapter Board and was a Co-Chair for the All Industry Day committee.
Fredricka earned the CPCU designation in 2016.
Board member since 2020.
Treasurer
Laura Vaden, CPCU, AIC, MBA
Germania Insurance
(she/her/hers)
Laura Vaden is a Casualty Claims Unit Manager with Germania Insurance. With 26 years of insurance experience, including Property & Casualty claims handling and leadership, and Property & Casualty Catastrophe experience, Laura believes in continuous learning and being well-rounded. She began her Insurance career in 1996 with State Farm as Liability Claims adjuster and later the fire catastrophe team in 1999. She she joined Farmers Insurance in 2005 where she began her leadership career; transitioning to Germania Insurance in 2019.
Laura earned the CPCU designation in 2021.
Board member since 2023.
Immediate Past President
Tia Tolbert, CPCU, AIC
State Farm Insurance Company
(she/her/hers)
Tia began her State Farm career in 2006 in Kalamazoo, Michigan in Auto Claim Central. She has worked in a variety of areas such as Human Resources, Auto Claims, Claims Training and is currently a Team Manager in Fire Team Managed. Tia is a continual learner; earning her Enterprise Training Certification, CPCU designation, AIC designation and recently earned her Degreed Digital Literacy Foundations badge. Tia’s been on the Dallas Chapter board excited for the role as Immediate Past President.
Tia earned the CPCU designation in 2016.
Board member since 2017.
Director, New Designee/Pathways Development Chair
Marissa K. Holland, CPCU, RIMS-CRMP, AJP, CRIS
Risk Management, Hillwood - A Perot Company
(she/her/hers)
Marissa K. Holland is employed a Risk Manager, for Hillwood Development Group, L.P.-a Perot Company, with 21 years of insurance experience ranging from agency, underwriting, to risk management. Hillwood is a leader in the development, construction, and acquisition of industrial, office, residential communities, and multifamily properties across North America and Europe.
Jonelle earned the CPCU designation in 2016.
Board member since 2023.
Director, ESG + DEI Chair
Jonelle Young, CPCU
State Farm Insurance Company
(she/her/hers)
Jonelle Young began her career in the insurance industry in 2013 and is currently an Underwriting Support Services Supervisor for State Farm. Jonelle is a Director on the Dallas CPCU Chapter Board and Co-Chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Jonelle graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Her diverse professional background includes teaching for City Colleges of Chicago, Real Estate Agent, and Director of Supplemental Education Programs.
Jonelle earned the CPCU designation in 2016.
Board member since 2019
Committee > Education Chair
Kryshawn Baity, CPCU, AIC
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.
(she/her/hers)
Kryshawn is the Assistant Claims Manager for the Pepsi program at Sedgwick. She is an enthusiastic leader with a strong background in auto and general liability claims, offering 9 years of expertise in the insurance industry including litigation management, and strategic initiatives within commercial general liability, auto, and product liability claims. Prior to Sedgwick, Kryshawn worked for State Farm, Gainsco and QBE North America.
Kryshawn earned the CPCU designation in 2023.
Committee > Sponsorship Chair
David Van Amburgh, CPCU, ARM, CRIS
Risk Manager - The Beck Group
(he/him/his)
David started in risk management in 2015, working as a Property & Casualty Insurance broker for Arthur J. Gallagher and later for Alliant Insurance Services. He is currently working as Risk Manager for The Beck Group, a premier commercial General Contractor in Dallas.
David earned the CPCU designation in 2022.
Director, Social Media Chair
Martinique Castal, CPCU, AIC, AIS, AINS
State Farm Insurance Company
(he/him/his)
Martinique began his career with State Farm in 1993, as a Summer Intern while attending college at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. His career included Property and Injury field claims, Auto Centralized Claims (ACC), Service First, Centralized TL Unit and Claim Automation/Procedures. He was promoted to a Claim Service Support Supervisor in 2011 in Tulsa. He joined Centralized CAT Services in 2012 as a Team Manager in Irving. He is currently a Forecast & Scheduling Manager in Richardson.
Martinique earned the CPCU designation in 2017.
Board member since 2021.
Committee > Data Analytics Chair
Nichelle D. Dawkins, CPCU, API, ARC, AU, AIDA, AIAF, AINS
Travelers
(she/her/hers)
Nichelle is a Sr. Data Director in Data Engineering and Analytics at Travelers Insurance. Nichelle attended Drake University majoring in Actuarial Science. After graduating, Nichelle began her career at Nationwide Insurance. Nichelle furthered her education with an MBA from Drake University, a MS in Advanced Data Analytics from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining Travelers in 2022, Nichelle has held roles in actuarial, product management, product development, and insurance consulting.
Nichelle earned the CPCU designation in 2007.
Director, Student & GIS Outreach Chair
Olivia Allen, CPCU
Travelers | Select Accounts Underwriting
Contact: OliviaAllenCPCU@gmail.com
(she/her/hers)
Olivia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Texas at Dallas in December of 2016. She started her insurance career with Traveler’s Insurance in January of 2017 in their Underwriting Development Program. She is currently working as an Account Executive Officer in their Small commercial underwriting department. Olivia is passionate about developing new talent and spreading awareness to students about the opportunities within the Insurance Industry.
Olivia earned the CPCU designation in 2021.
Board member since 2023.
Committee > Membership Chair
Jessica Ledo , CPCU , AINS
State Farm Insurance Company
(she/her/hers)
Jessica is originally from Zimbabwe where she began her Insurance career in 2010. She is currently employed with State Farm Insurance as an Agency Operations Analyst and has served in various areas including P&C sales, service and agency support. She serves on the agency DEI committee. She enjoys meeting and helping people. Jessica received the AINS designation before her CPCU.
Jessica earned the CPCU designation in 2021.
Committee > Registration & Arrangements Chair
Tara Letterman, CPCU, AIC
Crawford & Company
Contact: tara.letterman.cpcu@gmail.com
(she/her/hers)
Tara Letterman graduated from OSU in 2007 with a bachelor’s in psychology. She worked for 2 years at Horace Mann before going to work for Crawford & Company in 2014; her current role is Senior Casualty Adjuster. Tara was nominated by her AVP and won Crawford's 2015 CPCU Presidential Scholarship. Tara is a loving mother to her two sons and two pit bulls. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, swimming, coloring, and writing both poetry and short stories. In 2022, Tara published the first installment of her children’s book series through Amazon.
Tara earned the CPCU designation in 2020.
Committee > Communications Chair
VACANT
Committee > Good Works Chair
VACANT
2024 Chapter Governor - NTX/OK Region
TaShera Lewis, CPCU, AAI
State Farm Insurance Company
(she/her/hers)
TaShera Lewis has been employed as an Underwriting Service Supervisor at State Farm since 2016. She has worked in the industry as a front line brokerage underwriter including an underwriter for GEICO. She is an experienced manager with a track record of effective decision-making and a deep understanding of the industry. With her experience as President of Atlanta CPCU Society Chapter, TaShera's goal as Governor is to foster collaboration and drive the industry forward through knowledge sharing and strategic leadership.
TaShera earned the CPCU designation in 2018.