Leadership
Board of Directors
Mark E. Schwarz
Chairman
Director Since 2001
Mark E. Schwarz is the Chairman of the Company and has served as a director since 2001. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 2003 until 2006. Since 1993, Mr. Schwarz has indirectly controlled Newcastle Partners, L.P., a private investment firm which is the Company’s largest shareholder.
Scott T. Berlin
President, Mason Structural Steel, LLC
Director Since 2001
Scott T. Berlin is the President of Mason Structural Steel, LLC. He has served as a director of the Company since 2001. Mr. Berlin has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and an investment banker focused on the corporate finance and mergers/acquisitions practice.
Doug Slape
Texas Department of Insurance (Retired)
Director Since 2022
Doug Slape recently retired from the Texas Department of Insurance, the state agency regulating the Texas insurance market, after a career spanning more than 33 years. Most recently, he served as the Chief Deputy Commissioner of TDI from 2018 to 2022. Mr. Slape was also Acting Commissioner of Insurance from 2020 to 2021. Previously, he had served as Deputy Commissioner of Financial Regulation (2015-2018), Chief Financial Analyst (2007-2015), and Assistant Chief Examiner for Information Systems Examinations (2001-2007). Mr. Slape began his career at TDI as a Financial Examiner from 1988 to 2001. He is a Certified Financial Examiner and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Mark E. Pape
Chairman, H2Options, Inc. & U.S. Rain Group, Inc.
Director Since 2016
Mark E. Pape is Chairman of H2Options, Inc. and U.S. Rain Group, Inc., firms involved in water conservation projects. He has served as a director of the Company since 2016. Mr. Pape is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 40 years of experience in accounting, auditing and financial management.
Group Leadership
Chris Kenney, CPA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Chris Kenney was named Chief Executive Officer in 2023. With this appointment, he now serves concurrently in the roles of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. Chris joined Hallmark in 2004 leading the Accounting division followed by Chief Accounting Officer in 2020, Chief Financial Officer in 2021 and President in 2022. Mr. Kenney has held various accounting roles and has more than 25 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. Chris is a Certified Public Accountant with a license in Texas.
Pavinee Hat
Chief Human Resources Officer
Pavinee Hat was named Chief Human Resources Officer for Hallmark Financial Services in 2022. She joined Hallmark in September 2018 and most recently served in the role of Vice President, Human Resources. Ms. Hat brings over 20 years of experience in various leadership roles in Human Resources within several industries including transportation, finance, insurance and government. She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Management.
Debra Fontenot
Senior Vice President, IT Services
Debra Fontenot joined Hallmark in April of 2013, and currently serves as Senior Vice President, IT Services, leading the Information Technology organization. Ms. Fontenot has over 25 years of experience in various IT leadership roles, managing projects, development and technical staff, business and quality assurance analysts and data reporting. Debbie has over 30 years of experience in the Property and Casualty insurance industry, across a broad range of insurance products.
Chuck Mitzel, FCAS, MAAA
Vice President, Senior Actuary
Chuck Mitzel joined Hallmark in 2020 and currently serves as Vice President, Senior Actuary. Mr. Mitzel has over 38 years of experience in various actuarial roles. He is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Underwriting Leadership
Randy Kasen
Assistant Vice President, Product Development & Operations (Aviation)
Randy Kasen was named Assistant Vice President – Business Development and Operations for Hallmark’s Aviation division in 2024. Mr. Kasen joined Hallmark in March 2009 as a Junior Underwriter, and over his fifteen year tenure, served as a Senior Underwriter, and Underwriting Manager. Randy holds an FAA Private Pilot Certificate, with an Instrument Rating.
Sean Kelley
Assistant Vice President, Underwriting (Aviation)
Sean Kelley was named Assistant Vice President, Head of Aviation Underwriting in 2024. He joined Hallmark Aviation in January 2023 as a Senior Underwriter. Prior to Hallmark, Mr. Kelley spent 24 years in underwriting light aircraft, industrial aid, commercial and agricultural aviation risks at USAIG and AIG. He also honed his sales and customer service skills as a broker at a nationally recognized agency in Wichita Kansas for 2 years. Sean graduated from Kent State University with a BS degree in Aerospace – Aircraft Systems and Management.
Raina Mills
Senior Vice President, Policy Services (Personal Lines)
Raina Mills was named Senior Vice President, Policy Services for the Personal Lines unit in 2012. She previously served as Vice President, Policy Services since joining the company in 2010. Ms. Mills has more than 25 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. She has held leadership roles in personal lines underwriting, operations, and customer service with Transport/Leader National Insurance Companies and Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation, specializing in nonstandard auto. Raina holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Economics and Finance.
Sunthary (Sunny) Murphy
Senior Vice President, Product Analytics
Sunny Murphy joined Hallmark in 2023, and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Product & Analytics. She oversees Pricing, Product Management, Sales, and Marketing for Personal Lines, as well as Pricing for Commercial Lines and Aviation. Prior to Hallmark, Ms. Murphy had 16 years of experience in personal insurance with significant focus on the nonstandard personal auto market in various roles including product management leadership, financial reporting, and actuarial pricing reserving and product development.
David Marshall
Senior Vice President, Commercial Lines
David Marshall joined Hallmark in 2022 and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Hallmark Commercial Insurance. He previously served as a Vice President of Claims for Hallmark. Mr. Marshall has over 25 years of experience in various insurance industry aspects including Claims, Underwriting and Agency production. David has a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation, as well as various other industry certifications.
Claims Leadership
Chris Miller
Chief Claims Officer
Chris Miller joined Hallmark in 2022 and currently serves as the Chief Claims Officer for both Commercial Lines and Personal Lines. Mr. Miller has 36 years of experience in personal and commercial claims, with emphasis on national claims leadership roles.
Mark Hayes
Vice President, Personal Lines Claims
Mark Hayes joined Hallmark in 2024 as Vice President of Personal Lines Claims. Mr. Hayes has over 27 years of experience in claims working for national and regional carriers with an emphasis on the Non-Standard market. He has extensive leadership background in Personal Lines Auto and Commercial Auto.
Andrew Rodgers
Assistant Vice President, Aviation Claims
Andy Rogers started with Hallmark Insurance Company in December of 2016 as manager of the Aviation Claims Division. Mr. Rogers has over 20 years of claims and insurance management experience. Andy holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate and has been a pilot for over 30 years.
