Meet the Board

Kirby Wells

Independent Solutions United

Chairman of the Board

Kirby Wells brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the PIIB Board. In addition to managing his family 300-acre timber business in the High Sierras, he founded his first insurance agency in 1983, R.K. Wells Insurance Agency. In 1986, he formed The Wells Group in partnership with IBM, where he was responsible for developing software management and operation systems for data input and retrieval for insurance agencies, banks, title companies and related business enterprises. The firm became a leader in the development and implementation of document scanning and integration of data base management systems. In addition, he is an experienced expert witness; testifying in evaluation of insurance contract language, analysis of underwriting practices and sales practices as relates to contract language and assists attorneys and carriers in developing contract wording for special insurance coverage, CC & R's and Bylaws. Wells attended University of Nevada, Reno and was sent by IBM to Executive Training Institute in connection with development of above systems. In addition to speaking at several national conferences, he holds numerous licenses and certifications, belongs to ten professional organizations, and has completed over 30 continuing specialty, receivership & bankruptcy education courses. Wells joined PIIB in 2006 and became a board member in 2008. He owns and operates Independent Solutions United – Cordova Center, in Rancho Cordova just outside of Sacramento.

Charles Katz

Charles Katz Insurance Services

Treasurer & Vice Chairman

Charles Katz' insurance roots date back to the late 60's, obtaining his license and working full time at an agency while attending California State University at Northridge as a full time student. After earning a degree in Psychology, he chose insurance as his career path. He first took a position at Equitable Life of New York and then moved on to Marsh & McLennan, at that time the world's largest broker handling fortune 500 insureds. His next career move was with INA/CIGNA Companies where he served in various management capacities running regional subsidiaries for 11 years. In 1985 Charles and family moved to Northern California for five year's tenure as District Sales Manager/Business Agent Manager and agent with Nationwide Mutual, and started his own retail agency. In 1992 and he formed Charles Katz Insurance Services in Pleasanton. Along with his wife Lynne, son Aaron, and additional staff of three, their office caters to business owners who desire personalized attention while receiving the same quality and expertise as received by fortune 500 companies. Charles joined PIIB in 1996, and was invited to join the PIIB Board in 1998.

Dennis Sewell

R.C. Fischer & Company

Secretary

Dennis Sewell began his insurance career in 1984. He spent 5 years as a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual and Chubb Insurance. He spent the next 2 years as an underwriter building Chubb’s presence in the winery business. In 1992 he accepted a sales position at R.C. Fischer & Company in Walnut Creek, where he currently serves as president while maintaining an active book of business. Dennis is a bit strange because he actually likes learning about insurance, holding CIC, CISC, and CRIS designations. His favorite client profile is an angry contractor that hates insurance. The challenge is stimulating and the payoff is making a friend. Dennis is an avid sportsman and loves European history. He’s proud to have two great boys and a wonderful wife of 27 years. Joining PIIB is easily one of his best management decisions.

Steve Bozzuto

Bozzuto & Company Insurance Svc's, Inc.

Director

Steve is a long-time resident of Northern California. He began his insurance career in 1997 as a producer focusing in commercial insurance and workers compensation along with his brother and now business partner, Mike Bozzuto. In 2001 the Steven Bozzuto Insurance Agency, Inc., was founded with the primary focus in commercial insurance products as a true brokerage agency. Today it has grown into Bozzuto & Company Insurance Services, Inc., a family business staffed with 20+ exceptional people committed to helping their clients be properly insured while reducing the costs and burdens of operating business in a highly competitive industry. Steve has a strong commitment to providing high quality insurance products and educating both his staff and clients about the industry and their important coverage decisions. He credits the agency’s efforts as rewarding and easy thanks to best-in-class employees, clients, and best of the best insurance company partners. Bozzuto & Company is honored and proud of the positive and respected reputation they hold in the insurance industry, among their clients, and within the local community. They are dedicated to protecting and supporting this reputation through staunch convictions and values.

Steve is an active member of his church where he has served on the executive leadership team and led multiple men’s study groups. In addition, he volunteers with numerous charity and outreach events throughout both his church and in the local community. Steve resides in Placer County, California, with his best friend and wife of over 28 years, Rene, their son Zach, daughter Vanessa, and everyone’s favorite dog, Rambo, a rescued 9-lb Yorkie who lives up to his name. Steve and his wife enjoy fitness, biking, travel to any coastline, cooking and hosting socials with wonderful family and friends.

PIIB is the second cluster Steve has been an affiliate member of, in addition to information reviewed for other cluster competitors, Steve’s biased and unbiased position on PIIB as a cluster is: there are no equals. PIIB demonstrates a level of integrity, respect and appreciation to all of their affiliates regardless of size, shape or form. PIIB respects, protects and values their insurance company partners with the highest regard, which sets PIIB miles apart from the masses of clusters. Simply, other clusters don’t compete on terms or the model for which PIIB has become and consistently supports. Larry Manning & the Board of Directors have created an exceptional business model supported by an exceptional staff.

Paul Nadler

Paul R. Nadler Insurance Services

Director

In 1976 Paul Nadler joined his family’s insurance business, then Phillip W. Nadler & Son, established in San Francisco in 1927. After many years of working with family, Paul bought out his father, changed the company’s name Paul R Nadler Insurance Services, and moved the business down the peninsula to San Carlos to be closer to his family. Paul’s son, Zach, joined the business in 2010, making Nadler Insurance a 4th generation agency (with hope for many more generations to come!)

Paul joined PIIB as it’s 20th member in 2003 , served on the Board for two years ( 2005 -2007), Paul has been asked to take on the role once more as he rejoined the Board in 2019. Paul hopes to help PIIB grow in the coming years.

Paul’s agency is a generalist with roughly 60% in personal and 40% in commercial lines. Nadler Insurance is proud to have been awarded Safeco’s Excellence in Underwriting for the past nine years. When not at work (which is a rarity for Paul as he is very passionate about what he does), Paul enjoys supporting his San Francisco Giants and visiting Disneyland.

John Bradford

McGee & Thielen Insurance Brokers

Director

John is Vice President and 1/3 owner of McGee & Thielen Insurance Brokers. He has been in the insurance industry for the past 23 years and has a diverse range of business accounts that he is the risk manager for.

John has served as the President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Sacramento in 2010 and 2014. He was the 2012 recipient of the Agent of the Year award, he was also the 2010 member of the year for the Association of Insurance Professionals.

Prior to joining McGee & Thielen John worked as the regional Accounting Manager, and interim regional controller for NovaCare a fortune 500 healthcare company.

John served in the U.S. Army for six years, received his B.S. at the University of Phoenix and his MBA from Golden Gate University. His hobbies include traveling, playing basketball, and flying.

Rob O'Neill

Town & Country Insurance Services, Inc.

Director

Robert O’Neill has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry and is the founder and President of Town & Country Insurance Services, Inc. DBA: Hot Rod Insurance Services, Inc. He has been selling policies to fit the individual and commercial client needs with an emphasis on long term relationship building as well as excellent customer service. Member of PIIB since 1999, currently a Board member and stockholder.

Robert graduated from C.S.U. Chico in 1983 with a B.S in Business Administration. He was recruited by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, where he gained experience in workers comp. claims, bond unit claims and field work. He spent the next 10 years with Sattui & O’Neill Insurance Inc. in San Francisco as a commercial insurance broker. It was here he learned the skills to later run his own agency.

Outside of the office, Rob is a long time Elk member since 1996. He sits on the Gym committee and volunteers on the car show fund raisers. He also volunteers for the Palo Alto Concours as a Car advisory Chairperson, and similar work for the Hillsborough Concours. He has done some judging over the years and frequently performs certified appraisals for collectable cars.

Robert has been married to his wife, Susan, since 1985 and they have two adult boys and a daughter in law.