Group Leadership
Mark E. Schwarz
Executive Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Read Bio
Mark E. Schwarz has been affiliated with Hallmark since 2001, having served as the Chairman of the Board. He became President & CEO in 2021, having previously held this role from 2003 until 2006. Since 1993, Mr. Schwarz has indirectly controlled Newcastle Partners, L.P., a private investment firm which is currently the Company’s largest shareholder.
Christopher Kenney, CPA
Chief Accounting Officer
Read Bio
Christopher Kenney was named Chief Accounting Officer in 2020 and has been with the Company for over 16 years, previously serving as the Senior Vice President of Accounting. Mr. Kenney has held various accounting roles and has more than 25 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. He is a Certified Public Accountant with a license in Texas.
Ken Krissinger, FCAS, MAAA
Chief Actuary
Read Bio
Ken Krissinger was named the Senior Vice President & Chief Actuary of the Company in 2017. Mr. Krissinger has over 35 years of experience in the property/casualty insurance industry. He is a fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mr. Krissinger is a member of the Company’s Underwriting Committee.
Tarek N. Timol
Chief Administrative Officer & Head of Operations
Read Bio
Tarek N. Timol joined Hallmark Financial in 2015 and currently serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. His responsibilities include leading IT, Operations, the Enterprise Claims Organization, Legal and Compliance, and the Specialty Personal Lines business unit. Mr. Timol brings nearly 25 years of experience in the insurance industry managing several complex functions in a senior leadership capacity.
David Webb
SVP, Corporate Development & Strategy
Read Bio
David Webb joined Hallmark in 2018 with responsibility for executing the company’s strategic objectives, including product development and growth, ceded reinsurance, programs, and marketing. His previous roles include reinsurance, underwriting, finance and capital markets. Mr. Webb holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MBA from Wake Forest University, and is a CFA charterholder.
.
Elena Banfi
VP, Group Counsel & Compliance
Read Bio
Elena Banfi was named Vice President – Group Corporate Counsel and Compliance of the Company in November 2018. In this role, she oversees the legal and compliance functions of the company and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining Hallmark, she held in-house roles in the insurance industry and the specialty financing sector and served as an attorney advisor for a government entity. Early in her career she worked in higher education and was an adjunct professor at two local universities. Ms. Banfi received an LL.M from Syracuse University, College of Law, and is a graduate of UCSC, Milan. She is fluent in English and Italian.
David Miller
SVP, Head of Human Resources
Read Bio
David Miller was named a Vice President of the Company effective January 2015. For over 20 years, he has held executive management human resource positions within several banking and investment institutions such as T. Rowe Price and Citigroup.