Mark Kaufman

markk@monarchexcess.com Ext 225

I've worked on the E&S side of the insurance industry since 1984 and with Monarch since 1994. I have a Mathematics degree from CSUN and I currently live in Sherman Oaks with my lovely wife Sharon and our son Jordan. I enjoy playing basketball with my son, playing golf with friends & colleagues and racing in triathlons throughout the year.

Nicole Loven

nicolel@monarchexcess.com Ext 265

I have been in the insurance industry since 1992. I started at Monarch in December of 1992 and have been with Monarch ever since. I was originally hired as a file clerk and have worked my way up to a Commercial Underwriter. I am a single mother to a beautiful 9 year old daughter. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my daughter, stalking Mark Wahlberg and hanging out with my friends.

Kimber West

kimberw@monarchexcess.com Ext 222

I have been working in the insurance business since 1978. I have experience working on the carrier and retailer side of the business but I must admit I prefer the General Agent side the best. I have taken many insurance courses enough to have obtained an Associated Insurance Services, AIS designation. For enjoyment I love to hike to San Gabriel Hills, yoga is a great get away from any stress during the busy day and playing golf is a challenging sport. I also spend fun times with my family and friends dining, going to the movies or having BBQ parties.

Melba Alcazar

melbaa@monarchexcess.com Ext 254

I graduated college with degrees in Elementary Education and Music Education. I was an Elementary /Music teacher before entering the insurance industry. I began my insurance career in 1969 working for Standard Insurance Companies as Personal Lines Underwriter and Commercial Casualty/Property rater. In 1975, after my insurance training with Standard Insurance Companies, I have worked in the Excess & Surplus Lines wholesale industry for 30 years and the past 6 years at Monarch E & S doing Commercial Property/Casualty underwriting.

I currently live in Los Angeles with my husband of 40 years. I have three beautiful children, did well in school and all graduated in college. I enjoy spending time with my family. For fun, I go to nearby casinos, occasional trip to Las Vegas and occasional trip outside the U.S.

Randy Scott

randys@monarchexcess.com Ext 224

I joined Monarch as a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter in February, 2007. Prior to joining Monarch, I held a position as a Commerical Lines Manager at another Southern California wholesaler, producing property and casualty business. I began my insurance career in 1997, working for Commerical Union.

My goal at Monarch is to provide superb customer service and quick quote turnaround. I believe that insurance is all about building and nurturing an excellent rapport with both agents and companies, and I've enjoyed nurturing those relationships. In addition, I love a challenge: to beat our competition!

On the personal side, I reside in Glendale with my wife Digna and our daughter Charly. I like to spend my free time with my family and I enjoy rollerblading, snowboarding and softball. Also, I'm a recreational "hacker"...golf, that is!

Dave Skogstrom

daves@monarchexcess.com Ext 241

I was born & raised in Southern California and began my career in the insurance industry in 1993 with another Los Angeles area wholesale office. I joined the Monarch team in 1998 as a Senior Underwriter and now manage the Personal Lines Department & a staff of 4 outstanding individuals who make it their top priority to provide great service & expertise to our valued agents & brokers. I enjoy the classic car hobby, traveling & spending quality time with family & friends.

Sherry Brodek

sherryb@monarchexcess.com Ext 239

I'm Sherry Brodek, Underwriter for Personal Lines Property Division. I have been with Monarch E & S since October 1993. Starting in Technical Services I have been given a wonderful opportunity to work my way up through Various positions to become the Underwriter that I am today. Thanks Monarch! I truly enjoy Underwriting and find it very challenging in today’s market place. On my off time I love many activities. Especially the summer ones in my garden, working on my home or relaxing in the pool. I also love sharing Music, dancing, concerts and traveling with my friends.

Stefanie McLeod

stefaniem@monarchexcess.com Ext 240

I was born and raised in La Crescenta and have been working in the insurance industry since 2002. Since joining Monarch at that time I have become a senior underwriter for personal lines, have been on the board of directors for the IBA-BGP Board from 2009 - 2011 and have tried to be an active member of the insurance industry. When I am not at work I love to go snow boarding, dirt bike riding, and camping with my husband Jeff. My childhood friend, Kristen Wheatley (Commercial Dept) recommended me for the job & industry and I am very grateful for it, Monarch is a wonderful place to work that provides many opportunities to their employees.

Helene Briskin

heleneb@monarchexcess.com Ext 248

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, where I started my insurance career with another E&S broker in 1974. What began as a part time typing position while in college developed into a full time career of more than 30 years! I joined Monarch over 10 years ago to start the Personal Lines/Special Risk Department and now employ a staff of 7 very dedicated employees. My husband and I currently split our time between homes in Encino and Newport Beach. When not working, I love to travel, cook & read.

Genette Nice

genetten@monarchexcess.com Ext 250

I joined the Monarch team in 1996 as a Senior Underwriter in the Personal Lines/Special Risk Department. My career in insurance began 26 years ago with 21 of those years underwriting Special Risk accounts including Personal Article Floaters. I split my time between both the La Crescenta and Simi Valley offices. I live in Simi Valley with my husband and three children.

Lori Sarti

loris@monarchexcess.com Ext 251

Cindy Blazer

cindyb@monarchexcess.com Ext 223

I am a native Southern Californian (3rd generation in fact). I have worked in the surplus lines insurance industry since 1984, when I gave up my dream of being a political operative in order to pay the bills. In my spare time I am involved in local community and political issues, enjoy reading, have seen every episode of the West Wing dozens of times and I am a Los Angeles Lakers fanatic.

Max Kafkaloff

Ext 256

January, 2007, marks my 58 years in the insurance industry in the L.A. area, beginning with Sayre & Toso, Inc., and W.B. Brant Company, Inc., Surplus Lines Brokers. Our casualty, property, and inland marine contracts were 100%with Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London. The ocean marine and aviation coverages were placed in the Open Market. In 1957/1958 S.& T. and W.B.B. were appointed by the Employers Surplus Line Insurance Company of Boston. The first American Company to write non-admitted insurance through Surplus Lines Brokers. The rest is history. S. & T. and W.B.B. are no longer in business, but Monarch E&S is, with binding authority with Lloyd’s and American Companies.

Alice Carlisle

alicec@monarchexcess.com Ext 229

I have 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. All in MGA Excess & Surplus. I have held jobs from receptionist to underwriting and everything in between. I am Texan by birth, raised Midwest Buckeye but Californian at heart.

Dina Dryden

dinad@monarchexcess.com Ext 229

I've worked on the Wholesale E&S side of the insurance industry since 1994. I came to Monarch E&S Insurance Services in 2008 as a Senior Commercial Underwriter for the Property & Casualty Department. My mission is to provide the highest quality underwriting service possible. This includes fast turn around time, responsive service and knowledgeable insurance support for my clients. On a personal note, I’m a true San Diego native, born and raised. I’m married to a wonderful man, Ken and we have two beautiful children, Ashley & Joshua. When I'm not at work you can find me riding my quad over desert dunes or jet skiing in the river with my family for fun, relaxing down time.

Marisela Valencia

mariselav@monarchexcess.com Ext 232

I started by insurance career in 1987, working for a retail agency in North Hollywood, California. I have been in San Diego for the past 16 years and have enjoyed working with Monarch for the past 20 years. Since 2002, I have had the pleasure to work mainly as Personal Lines Underwriter, Office Manager and now Commercial Lines. On a personal note my wonderful husband Julius and I have been very blessed with 2 beautiful children Jocelyn and Nicholas.

Phil Rathbun

philr@monarchexcess.com Ext 222

I was raised in Tucson, Arizona and completed my education at the University of Arizona. I moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and have worked on the Excess & Surplus Lines side of the insurance industry since then. I started at Monarch in February 1986 as one of the first two employees. After spending weekends in the Palm Springs area for many years I made the decision to become a full time resident of the Coachella Valley and transferred to our Rancho Mirage branch in 2006. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, movies, discovering new restaurants, watching tennis and playing three card poker at any of our nearby casinos.

Debbie Messina

debbiem@monarchexcess.com Ext 227

I grew up in the Midwest and attended University of WI from 1971 to 1975. My insurance career started when I moved to Southern California in 1978. I've worked both the retail and wholesale side of the insurance industry for 33 years. Currently, I'm Branch Manager for the Monarch, Rancho Mirage office and enjoy the long term relationships with the retail agents and company personnel that I've developed over the years. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, working out at the gym, traveling, good books and music.

Vicki Johnson

vickij@monarchexcess.com Ext 230

I've worked in the E&S wholesale side of the insurance industry for 16 years and almost half of those have been with Monarch. I live in Indio with my husband of 20 years Steve and my beautiful daughter Shannon. I enjoy doing anything outdoors including going to the beach, running and swimming. If I am not behind my desk here at Monarch you will find me on vacation in Hawaii which is one of my most favorite places to go.

Linda S. Stephens

lindas@monarchexcess.com

Native New Yorker from the South Shores of Long Island. Moved to So. CA with my husband Jonathan, in 2001. We reside in a small town called Beaumont CA. I started in the insurance industry in 1972. I have been with Monarch E & S as Broker / Underwriter since February 2009. Prior experience was as Senior Underwriter/ Broker for another wholesaler in the LA area from 2001 to 2009. Also worked as Program Manager & Senior Underwriter for an MGA, handling construction accounts from 1992 to 2001. Before 1992, I have held several Senior Underwriter /Large Lines Specialist positions for different E & S insurance companies. I am able underwrite all aspects of Property & Casualty business - Primary & Excess/ Umbrella Liability. I love listening to music, dancing, cooking and playing dominos and going to thrift shops. I am very active in my community church.

Matt Merkle

mattm@monarchexcess.com Ext 226

In 2004 I came on board and opened a Monarch E&S Insurance Services branch office in Simi Valley, CA. In addition to overseeing the day to day operations of the office, I enjoy writing property and casualty business (the more difficult the better). Prior to joining Monarch, I was President, Director and Partner of a multi office insurance e&s wholesaler producing property and casualty business in California. I reside in Simi Valley with my lovely wife Chris and daughter Amanda. When I’m not in the office, I’m spending time with the family, enjoying NASCAR or hacking away on the golf course.

Sharron Johnson

sharronj@monarchexcess.com Ext 222

I am a native Southern Californian, beginning my insurance career in 1985 with a large retail agency. I quickly moved over to the wholesale side, where I still enjoy the challenge of underwriting a wide range of risks. When not working hard on your business, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors in the Thousand Oaks area.

Doris Rojas

dorisr@monarchexcess.com Ext 229

I began my insurance career in 1989 on the retail side and therefore my extensive retail experience gives me an edge in the business and enables me to understand the varied insurance needs of my agents and by being bilingual I am able to extend my knowledge & expertise to the Hispanic Market as well. I'm ready to assist you with all of your submissions. If your risk doesn't fit one of the many programs or lines we have available in-house, I'm also quite savvy in dealing with all of our Brokerage markets. If it can be done, I will get it done for you! You will never hear NO on a risk until I have exhausted the markets for you. I love the challenge of the insurance business everyday is different. When I'm not at the office, working on your submission, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Genette Nice

genetten@monarchexcess.com Ext 225

I joined the Monarch team in 1996 as a Senior Underwriter in the Personal Lines/Special Risk Department. My career in insurance began 26 years ago with 21 of those years underwriting Special Risk accounts including Personal Article Floaters. I split my time between both the La Crescenta and Simi Valley offices. I live in Simi Valley with my husband and three children.

Wayne Bernstein

wayneb@monarchexcess.com Ext 223

I have been in the insurance industry for nearly 25 years. During that time I have worked on both, the retail and wholesale sides. Over the last 12 years I have focused on executive liability and professional lines. As a specialist, I have authored many articles on a variety of subjects, which have been published in a number of trade magazines. Formally, I was a managing director and founding member of another wholesaler, specializing in executive liability and professional liability. I came to Monarch to develop and expand the professional services department by applying my knowledge, experience and expertise. I work in our Simi Valley office. In my spare time, I enjoy riding my Harley and spending time with my wife Vicki and son, Brandon. I also enjoy ice hockey both as a participant and a spectator.

Briana Griffin

brianag@monarchexcess.com Ext 103

I am a native San Franciscan and am lucky to have been able to live my entire life in Northern California. I embarked on my insurance career on the retail side 21 years ago. I worked primarily with personal lines accounts and eventually incorporated commercial risks to the mix…to add a little spice to my life! Three years ago, I made the leap from retail insurance to wholesale insurance, and now am a commercial underwriter. I enjoy working with people. Everyday brings a new challenge…and I’m always up for a new adventure!

Dona Shurtz

donas@monarchexcess.com Ext 227

I was born and raised in Fresno, CA. Starting my Insurance career from an early age, as my Mother was in the business. I worked for a General Agency for 20 plus years as a Personal and Commercial lines Broker. When the passing of my boss came, I was offered a position with Monarch starting on St. Patrick's Day 2008. It truly was a lucky day.

I enjoy playing golf (for the exercise of course), going to the mountains and spending time at the beach with my family and friends.

Debbie Perry

debbiep@monarchexcess.com

I started in the insurance industry in 1986, where I wrote personal lines coverages. In 1994, I moved into the environmental arena to underwrite pollution liability for storage tanks and continued in the environmental field and later transitioned into underwriting general, excess, pollution and professional liability for environmental contractors and consultants. In 2002, I moved into underwriting property and casualty business where I’ve remained. During my career, I’ve secured my ASLI designation and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Arizona State University.