Edmund J. Kelly
President and CEO

Before being chosen AAIS president in 2012, Ed had numerous years of executive experience in organizations that developed product platforms for property and liability lines.

Among other things, he served seven years as president and COO of an organization that developed one of the first programs allowing insurers to write wind-only coverage. He was also an executive for a specialty division of Royal Sun Alliance that developed and maintained an industry-leading professional liability program for architects and engineers.

Prior to his insurance career, Ed worked 11 years as a senior manager for Ernst & Young; he is a certified public accountant with bachelor's and master's degrees from DePaul University.

AAIS Announces New Leadership Plans

Joan Zerkovich
Senior Vice President of Operations

Before coming to AAIS in 2012, Joan worked for several organizations in information technology positions, including more than eight years as CIO of ICAT Holdings LLC, a catastrophe insurance intermediary. Her work at ICAT earned Joan recognition in 2006 as one of the insurance industry’s “Elite 8” technology professionals by Insurance & Technology magazine.

Prior to her years at ICAT, Joan spent more than 13 years in information technology positions with the University of California system. Her work there included projects that contributed to the initial public access to the Internet and to the digitalization of the university's library system.

Joan has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of California-Davis, and an MBA with an emphasis in business information systems from CSU-Sacramento.

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.