People Moves: Burkhart to Lead Michigan Big ‘I’; J.M. Wilson Promotes 3, Adds VanderMaiden

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Big ‘I’ of Michigan

Jared Burkhart will be the next CEO of Big “I” Michigan (MAIA), the association announced.

Burkhart joins the Big “I” team on May 3 and succeeds the current CEO, Bev Barney, who is retiring Aug. 31.

Burkhart’s professional mission is to help others achieve at their highest level possible. He has been an association executive for the past eight years and a governmental policy professional for the prior six years.

He is the current CEO for the Michigan Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the previous executive director for the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers. Prior to joining the association world, he served in a legislative policy advisor role in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Burkhart holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives. He is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Society of Association Executives.

J.M. Wilson

Managing general agency and surplus lines broker J.M. Wilson has promoted three underwriters in its Portage, Michigan, and added Kaleb VanderMaiden as assistant transportation underwriter in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Jennifer Tonthola was promoted to executive transportation underwriter. She has been with J.M. Wilson for 18 years and is responsible for underwriting a wide variety of new and renewal transportation risks.

Robin Beach was promoted to senior transportation underwriter. She has been with the company for five years and is responsible for underwriting new and renewal public and business auto risks and maintains strong relationships with carriers and independent insurance agents in Michigan.

Devan Dodd was promoted to property/casualty Underwriter. He joined .JM. Wilson in 2014 and is responsible for underwriting a wide variety of P/C risks and serves independent insurance agents in Michigan.

VanderMaiden assists underwriters with a wide variety of new and renewal commercial transportation accounts, and maintains relationships with carriers and independent insurance agents in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.