About Us
A leading provider of property casualty insurance
PICA is a Mississippi-based property casualty insurer. Our funding comes from experienced insurance professionals and business investors interested in a long-term commitment to coastal homeowners.
Like other insurers, PICA makes maximum use of technology. Unlike others, we use automation to facilitate operating efficiency and responsiveness to consumers, not as a shield to avoid individual underwriting decisions and personalized service. We seek solutions to unique situations and make underwriting exceptions that other companies reject.
PICA contracts only with experienced, professional agents who put service to their customers first. We screen, train and get to know them personally. We strive to be the best and expect nothing less from our agents.
Our Team
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Ned Dolese
President
​Robert “Ned” Dolese was previously President and a co-founder of a regional property and casualty insurance company in Gulfport, Mississippi. Since its founding in 2010, the company has grown into one of the largest writers of homeowner’s insurance, including wind coverage, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ned has extensive experience across multiple lines of insurance, including life, health, disability, and annuities. He also served as Chairman and CEO of a regional life insurance company from 1997 to 2003, overseeing expansions through acquisitions and product innovations.
Joel Morrison
Chief Operating Officer
Joel Morrison serves as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, bringing extensive experience in underwriting, operations, and executive leadership to PICA. Throughout his career, he has focused on strengthening operational performance and building high-quality underwriting practices to ensure consistent value and exceptional service. Known for his strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Joel drives alignment, operational excellence, and sustainable growth across the company. He has worked in Canada, Bermuda, and the United States, and is a retired member and graduate of the Insurance Institute of Canada with his CIP designation.
Jon Ciminieri
Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan Ciminieri, CPA, brings more than 20 years of experience in financial reporting and accounting, primarily within large financial services and insurance organizations. Before joining Property Insurance Company of America, he served as Insurance Controller in Texas, where he oversaw accounting and reporting for two P&C carriers. During his tenure, he played a key role in helping one carrier grow from $25M to over $100M in premiums and another from $500M to more than $1B in premiums, ultimately contributing to its successful Nasdaq IPO. Jonathan specializes in finance and accounting operations, risk and controls, financial reporting, and high-level financial analysis.
Kevin Kozlek
Chief Administrative Officer
Kevin Kozlek is a seasoned claims professional with more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including leadership roles with two national carriers. For the past two decades, he has overseen claims operations across the Southeast, successfully navigating some of the industry’s most complex and challenging environments. Kevin is committed to delivering fast, accurate, and fair outcomes while prioritizing a positive customer experience during life’s most difficult moments. His deep expertise and steady leadership ensure PICA’s claims process remains efficient, responsive, and consistently centered on client needs, and he also provides oversight of marketing, brand awareness, and digital initiatives.
UNDERWRITING TEAM
Shelly McNair
Underwriting
Shelly, a longtime Mississippi Gulf Coast resident, earned her adjuster license in 2019 and is licensed in multiple states. Having lost two homes to hurricanes and with a strong background in construction, she brings both technical insight and meticulous attention to detail to her underwriting role at PICA. She is committed to producing accurate, well-supported underwriting assessments that reflect a comprehensive understanding of property risk and policy requirements across a broad range of exposures.
Laurie Gex
Underwriting
Laurie began her underwriting career in Houston, Texas, with a focus on the oil and gas industry. After two decades in underwriting, she returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2015, where she expanded her expertise to include homeowners insurance, project management, and claims support. Laurie’s broad experience allows her to collaborate effectively with both agents and policyholders, ensuring each client receives the best coverage for their individual needs at PICA.
Paula Fisher
Underwriting
Paula has worked in the insurance industry since 1999, beginning her career with a small agency in Gulfport, Mississippi. After Hurricane Katrina displaced her for over a year, she returned to Gulfport in 2007 and joined Stewart Sneed Hewes, where she spent 15 years as an independent personal lines agent through multiple mergers. Her extensive experience gives her a strong perspective on the needs of both agents and clients. At PICA, Paula leverages this knowledge to support agents and contribute to the company’s continued growth.
Denise Russell
Underwriting
With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Denise Russell brings extensive knowledge and professionalism to her role as Commercial Wind Underwriter for Louisiana. Her background spans both independent insurance agency work and underwriting, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the needs of policyholders and agents alike. Denise’s deep industry insight and dedication to accuracy make her a valued member of PICA’s underwriting team, where she is committed to providing exceptional service and sound risk assessment for Louisiana businesses.
CLAIMS TEAM
Chris Hymel
Claims
Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Chris holds both a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA from the University of New Orleans. With 22 years of insurance experience, including over 15 years in leadership, Chris has worked for two of the largest carriers in the U.S. and has eight years of experience on a large carrier’s catastrophe response team. A CPCU designee, Chris now serves as PICA’s Director of Commercial Claims, overseeing the company’s response to complex and large-scale claims with skill and dedication.
Leslie McNair
Claims
Before joining PICA, Leslie worked as both a field and desk adjuster, settling claims for two of the largest insurance carriers in the U.S. Her experience includes working directly with claimants, contractors, outside adjusters, and other third-party vendors. Having experienced storm damage firsthand from Hurricane Zeta, Leslie brings a unique perspective to claims handling. Her combined field and inside adjusting experience allows her to provide thorough, empathetic, and effective claims support for PICA’s clients.
Aimee Smith
Claims
With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Aimee is a seasoned Claims Manager known for delivering fair, efficient, and customer-focused solutions. She specializes in property, casualty, and complex claims, and brings strong leadership skills along with a commitment to operational excellence. At PICA, Aimee applies her deep industry knowledge to ensure claims are handled with expertise and care.
MARKETING TEAM
Rob Craighill
Marketing
Rob, originally from Virginia, now lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and has been with PICA since its founding. He brings more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience, during which he helped grow a regional business into a Fortune 500 company. Rob has a proven track record of driving profitable growth, strengthening customer relationships, and promoting company values. At PICA, he works closely with agent partners to meet their needs and earn their business.
George Trunk
Marketing
George Trunk is a seasoned insurance professional with over 39 years of experience across various roles, including claims, corporate training, risk management and marketing. He holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and earned his B.S. in Business Management from Presbyterian College. Throughout his career, George has worked with several prominent insurance organizations, including The Aetna, Nationwide, Selective, American Strategic Insurance and other Florida carriers. His extensive background enables him to provide comprehensive support to agents and clients, ensuring effective solutions and fostering strong relationships.
Mike Huval
Marketing
Mike brings more than 40 years of insurance experience and a long record of public service to PICA. He founded and operated his own insurance agency for over 15 years and represented District 46 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2011 to 2024, where he chaired the Insurance Committee and served in multiple legislative leadership roles. A Certified Insurance Counselor, Mike has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to the insurance industry and to his community.
William Savoie
Director of Communications
A lifelong resident of New Orleans, William Savoie earned his B.A. in Mass Communications from Loyola University. He brings ten years of experience in copywriting, editing, and customer service to his role as Communications Director at PICA. Known for his attention to detail and customer-focused approach, William helps ensure clear and effective communication across the company. Since joining PICA in 2025, he has been an integral part of the team’s efforts to expand the company’s presence in the digital space.
Thomas Dolese
Support
Thomas Dolese, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for most of his life. He brings three years of experience in the insurance industry, having previously worked as a CSR and support specialist with an independent agency. With a strong focus on attention to detail, Thomas leverages his background in customer service and policy support to provide reliable assistance to our agents. He is eager to contribute his skills in client communication, policy management, and agent relations to ensure a positive experience for both our team and our clients.
ACCOUNTING TEAM
Sonja Watkins
Comptroller
Sonja brings 37 years of accounting and executive management experience to PICA, with a background spanning both public and corporate accounting. Most recently, she served for 13 years as Chief Financial Officer of a regional healthcare company, where she played a key role in strategic decision-making. Her responsibilities included financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, payroll, and retirement plans, as well as overseeing audits, tax filings, and compliance with government regulations. Sonja also built strong banking relationships and secured financing arrangements to support growth. She is excited to bring her expertise to PICA’s financial team and contribute to the company’s success.
Dana Jones
Accounting
Dana has lived in the Brandon, Mississippi area for the past 20 years, where she and her husband enjoy spending time with their four children and five grandchildren. She brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting, human resources, and payroll to her role at PICA. With a well-rounded background in business operations, Dana provides valuable expertise in financial management and organizational support. Her dedication and broad skill set make her an important part of the company’s continued growth and success.
Garrett Duckworth
Accounting
Garrett is a valued member of PICA’s Accounting Team, bringing three years of experience in the accounting field. He specializes in reconciliation and ensuring financial records remain accurate, balanced, and transparent. Garrett first worked with PICA on a part-time basis and is proud to now contribute full time, where his attention to detail and commitment to precision strengthen the company’s operations. He looks forward to supporting PICA’s continued growth and success while advancing his career in accounting.