Management Team

Mr. Hall is Executive Director for the GSMJIF. Jonathan has extensive experience in underwriting and risk management, having most recently managed a captive insurer for ProService Hawaii BDC, the largest PEO in Hawaii. He managed a multi-million workers’ compensation book of business, developed subsidiary insurance agency and proprietary property/casualty insurance programs, business intelligence modeling systems and established key performance indicators for the underwriting and claims operations. In addition to an MBA in Finance from Capella University, Jonathan holds the ARM designation.

He can be reached at Ext. 7365 or via e-mail: jhall@nipgroup.com.

Mr. Smith serves as Director of Underwriting for the GSMJIF. He has over 15 years of underwriting experience, previously specializing in D&O, E&O & EPLI. Prior to joining NIP in 2012, he had served as a Senior Underwriter for both CNA and AIG, where his book of business varied from small retail to Fortune 500 companies and large multinational financial Institutions. During this time he helped to develop new products and services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Rob’s experience brings a fresh perspective to public entity underwriting, combining insurance expertise, customer service and problem solving. Rob received his BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Scranton and is a licensed property and casualty producer.

He can be reached at Ext. 7605 or via e-mail: rsmith@nipgroup.com.

Mr. LaJoie serves as Vice President of Public Entity Claims for the GSMJIF and PEJIF, bringing more than 28 years of experience in insurance claims management, including the past four years with NIP Group. He began his career handling long-tail environmental and toxic tort claims, with a strong focus on coverage analysis and interpretation. Prior to joining NIP, he spent six years with Argo Group in a senior technical role, managing professional liability claims arising from municipal operations across more than 25 states. He subsequently worked for a third-party administrator, overseeing complex construction defect claims with a concentration on coverage. Just before joining NIP, he worked with the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA), handling public entity professional lines claims throughout Connecticut. Mr. LaJoie has also held claims operations leadership roles with Hartford Steam Boiler. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and is licensed to adjust claims in 32 states.
 
He can be reached at 732-362-9944 or via e-mail: blajoie@nipgroup.com

Mr. Persico is Assistant Vice President, WC Claims for the GSMJIF. Bob is a seasoned claims executive with a broad range of commercial lines claims experience, having worked at ESIS, Inc., an ACE USA Company third party claims administrator, where he managed a countrywide network of 33 claims offices and 1300 employees and CIGNA , where he specialized in workers’ compensation claims management. Robert works closely with the Fund Claims Administrators to manage the Workers’ Compensation claims to optimal outcomes. Robert is a graduate of William Paterson University with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Communications.

He can be reached at Ext. 7225 or via e-mail: rpersico@nipgroup.com.

Mr. Ven Graitis serves as Vice President, Risk Control for GSMJIF. Anthony comes to us with over 15 years of solid experience in safety engineering, risk control and risk management. Most recently he was a Senior Associate and Risk Management Consultant with J. H. Cohn-UIC, one of the leading providers of risk management and safety engineering services in the country, where he advised major public and private corporations on all aspects of risk management, including structure, costs and loss control and safety programs. Anthony received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers College of Engineering and holds the ARM and CSP professional designations.

He can be reached at (732) 593-9184 or via e-mail: avengraitis@nipgroup.com.