Module 1: Fundamentals of Liability Insurance

Lynnie T. Jenkins, Esq., CPCU, RPLU+, ASLI, AU, ARM–E, is the Assistant Vice President/Chief Regulatory Compliance Officer/Professional Liability Product Development Manager for an excess and surplus lines commercial insurance company. Previously, Mr. Jenkins was an insurance coverage attorney in Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in commercial general liability, directors & officers liability, professional liability, and property and environmental insurance coverage matters. Mr. Jenkins also previously served as an Assistant Vice President/Client Advisor for a large international insurance broker. 

Joseph Majsak, CPCU, ARM, ASLI, is Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for General Star Management Company, and Genesis Management & Insurance Services Corporation in Stamford, Conn. Joe graduated from Bates College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in Religion. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1977 as a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Joe joined General Star in 1985 and served a variety of management roles in claims, primary and excess underwriting, and marketing. He has served in his current marketing capacity since 2008. Joe resides with his spouse Anne in White Plains, N.Y. He and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters and one son. Joe completed the Iron Butt Association 50cc Gold challenge in 2015, in which he rode his motorcycle from San Francisco to New York City in 49.5 hours to celebrate his 60th birthday. 

Deb Ropelewski, CPCU, AU, ARM, ARe, CPIW, has been involved in the Professional Liability industry since 1983. She served as a senior underwriter for two national Medical Professional Liability carriers, working with both physician and facility business before joining a major broker in 1987. She spent 19 years as a reinsurance intermediary and was with Gallagher Healthcare immediately prior to joining the PLUS staff in late 2006. Ms. Ropelewski holds a B.S. in Business from Virginia Tech, as well as the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter; Associate in Underwriting, Risk Management, and Reinsurance (AU, ARM, and ARe); and CPIW designations. She has been involved with the RPLU Program since 1993, having served as the Chairman of the RPLU Committee, and also as the Curriculum Committee Co-Chair. Ms. Ropelewski helped found and served as Co-Chair for the PLUS MedPL Symposium in years 2001-2003, and was elected to the PLUS Board of Trustees in November 2003. She served in the role as PLUS Director of Education from 2006-2016. Ms. Ropelewski also serves on the Insurance Liaison Committee for the Tommy T. Martin Chair of Insurance at Middle Tennessee State University and is President of the Nashville Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). 

Nancy A. Zaharewicz, CPCU, is Vice President and Claims Manager – Healthcare XL Catlin (XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd). Nancy’s role at XL Catlin involves direct claims handling as well as managing, mentoring, and training other XL Catlin Bermuda claims staff in health care related claims handling and topics. Previously, Nancy was with Munich Re America, Inc. (formerly American Re-Insurance Company) handling both insurance and reinsurance claims for the Specialty Markets Division, including claims related to health care accounts of both single risk and alternative risk clients, such as captive insurers and risk retention groups. At Munich Re, Nancy was a member of the Bodily Injury Knowledge Management Team, an international group of claims professionals who disseminated information and gave presentations related to bodily injury handling to both internal and external clients. Nancy also edited the client brochure pertaining to reservation of rights letters. Nancy has handled all aspects of large, catastrophic, or complex exposures including coverage disputes in the U.S., London, and Bermuda. Nancy also held claims management positions at Chubb, Reliance National, and Progressive Insurance Corporation. Nancy is a member of the CPCU Society BSHRM (Bermuda Society of Healthcare Risk Managers), and has served on a panel for the ABA’s Annual Coverage Litigation Seminar.