Werner E. Kruck, CPCU
President and CEO

Having spent 45 years in the Property & Casualty insurance industry developing products, systems, and distribution in the U.S. and abroad, Werner has unique insight into the many aspects of insurance company strategy and operations.  During his career, he has managed national residential personal lines programs for Foremost Insurance, Bankers & Shippers (Travelers), Markel, and American Modern Insurance.  Werner’s experience includes four years with AIG internationally in New York and Manila as Regional Manager for Personal Lines and Agency Distribution.

For the past 18 years, Werner has specialized in the Florida homeowner market, as both a consultant and Chief Operating Officer (COO).  As COO, Werner led the growth of Security First from a startup in 2006 to a leading Florida homeowner insurer, highly regarded for its strategy and innovation around technology, data, product and distribution.  Among the many innovations implemented during Werner’s tenure, Security First was the first U.S. homeowner insurer to have an iPhone app, to utilize personalized video, and to offer full flood coverage as an endorsement to a homeowner policy.

Werner and his wife Angela live in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Ken Sayers
Vice President of Technology

Ken is Vice President of Technology and oversees software development, infrastructure, and all IT related areas, as well as the organization’s Agile Working Group. He also chairs the openIDL Technical Steering Committee. Ken joined AAIS in 2015 to manage the software systems. He has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry and worked in IT at Selective, Chubb, and Great American. Ken also worked at the insurance technology vendor FJA as a product manager. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida State University and a Master of Computer Science degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Ken lives with his wife in the foothills outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Robin Westcott, J.D.
Vice President of Government Affairs, Legal & Compliance

Robin is an attorney who spent more than 20 years in insurance-related regulatory positions in Florida, most recently as the state’s appointed insurance consumer advocate. She joined AAIS in 2013, where she oversees product compliance operations, consults with state insurance departments about the practical implications of regulatory initiatives, and acts as the general counsel. Recently, Robin has led the development of innovative insurance products, including CannaBOP cannabis coverage and openIDL. She received a BS and JD from Florida State University.

John Kadous, CPCU, CPM
Vice President of Products

Before coming to AAIS in March 2014, John had more than 26 years of experience in insurance, including 13 years with GEICO and nearly 12 years as an underwriting and product management director with USAA.

John earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Regis University. He holds a designation as a certified product manager from the Association of International Product Marketing and Management, as well as his CPCU designation.

Michael Payne, FCAS, MAAA
Chief Pricing Actuary

Michael Payne is the Chief Pricing Actuary at AAIS.  In this role, he is responsible for leading the Actuarial Services team in conducting countrywide loss cost reviews, developing pricing for new programs, and building a modernized pricing process.  

Michael joined AAIS in December 2018.  Before coming to AAIS, Michael was the Director of Underwriting Analysis at Sears Home Services.  He also has 14 years of experience on the carrier side, holding a variety of actuarial pricing roles at Zurich Insurance Group and SCOR Reinsurance.  Michael earned his BA in Mathematics and Psychology from Northwestern University, is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, and is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.