Environmental Team Welcomes New Members
In an effort to ensure we are the insurance company of choice for environmental insurance brokers, it is important we establish a strong and dynamic team. Each issue of Environmental Insider will introduce you to members of our team and describe the unique role they play in supporting you and your clients.
Melissa Murdock, Production Underwriter - Underwriting
Great American Environmental Division is thrilled to welcome Melissa Murdock to the Underwriting unit as a Production Underwriter. In her role, Melissa is underwriting to various businesses that face pollution risks. Additionally, Melissa analyzes environmental sites and their surrounding areas to identify environmental contaminants and find the most comprehensive insurance solutions for each client. With an environmental education and research background, Melissa brings extensive knowledge and research to our team.
Melissa obtained her bachelor's degree in Geoscience from West Chester University and her master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. While at West Chester, she studied abroad in Iceland and conducted research for the school’s geology program. Additionally, Melissa was an intern at the Chester County Conservation District, where she worked with the agricultural sector and conducted environmental compliance.
After graduation, she took accepted a full-time role there. Later, she moved to a small environmental consulting firm where she wrote technical reports and conducted research and analysis for the Philadelphia Water Department.
Melissa’s interest in environmental work began as a child. Her father, a park ranger, was always intentional on getting his family involved in the outdoors and emphasizing the importance of maintaining our environmental footprint. Her parents also encouraged her to go to school for a passion.
“He shared his love of the environment with me… I definitely have to give him credit for my career path,” Melissa says.
Melissa is excited to take on more challenging tasks and learn more about a different sector of the environmental industry.
“I really like that every day is a little bit different,” Melissa adds.
Melissa is based out of our Exton, PA home office.
Brian Cicero, Production Underwriter - Underwriting
Great American Insurance Group’s Environmental Division is excited to welcome Brian Cicero to the Underwriting unit as a Production Underwriter. In his role, Brian writes new business and renewals and analyzes environmental sites and their surrounding areas in order to curate the most comprehensive insurance solutions for the broker. Brian has a unique educational background, emphasizing risk management, and brings a unique skillset to the division.
Brian joins us from a specialty insurance company, where he went through their training program and graduated to an associate on their environmental team. There he dove into the world of specialty insurance, learning the in's and out's of environmental policy and how to curate insurance solutions. Prior to that, he interned at a financial rating agency, where he was a part of their insurance rating team.
Brian graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Risk Management & Insurance. While he was there, Brian studied abroad in Rome, Italy and was a member of the Gamma Iota Sigma Fraternity and RIMS New York Chapter. He is currently obtaining his master’s degree in Enterprise Risk Management.
Since joining Great American, Brian has enjoyed our business structure and collaboration opportunities.
“There’s a good sense of mentorship here. Everyone has offered their ear for any help and ensured I can use their guidance as a resource. I’m looking forward to exploring my opportunities and learning more about the division.”
Brian is based out of our New York, NY office.
