AITC
The Dedicated,
Independent
Voice of Insurtech
The American Insurtech Council (AITC) is the independent voice of Insurtechs, insurance companies, and other stakeholders that share common goals and objectives in the public interest before federal and state legislators, regulators and other policymakers. The Council’s mission is to encourage and promote a modern regulatory environment for ethical technology driven innovation that improves the business of insurance and consumer experience.
Companies are developing new business models using technological innovation that will redefine the insurance market. While many of the forces driving change have been at work for several years, the impact of Covid-19 on the business of insurance has accelerated the pace of change. While the insurance industry has always embraced innovation and the use of technology-based solutions, InsurTech presents new challenges and opportunities.
AITC’s activities include guiding policy development, strategic counsel, communications, and advocacy before the federal and state legislators and regulators, and organizations such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, National Council of Insurance Legislators, American Legislative Exchange Council, National Conference of State Legislatures, the State Policy Network and the states. Based in Washington D.C., the majority of activities and leadership for the organization will be carried out in the states, where issues concerning insurance status, filings and product availability are decided.
Meet the Principals and Founders
OVER 150 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE
Jack Friou is the founder and President of Tangent Point Solutions, a consulting organization specializing in business interests that intersect with state government. Jack previously worked for a Fortune 200 life and health insurance company, and during his 40+ year career he was in executive leadership roles in Marketing, Administration, Compliance and Government Relations, among others. In his capacity as the senior executive responsible for government relations in all 50 states, Jack gained extensive experience working with state legislators, regulators and executive branch officials, dealing with both challenges and opportunities. Jack has an excellent understanding of the federal government and, in particular, the relationship with the states as it relates to the insurance industry. He has extensive experience with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, National Council Of Insurance Legislators, Governors Associations as well as several national and state trade associations. Jack is well known as a problem solver and start up champion.
Contact:
Phone: (706) 464-3767
Teri Hernandez is the Founder and President of HernandezHQ. With more than 30 years’ experience in the legal and insurance industries. She directs business engagement and marketing strategies for prominent insurance regulatory practices in legal and insurance consulting firms, start-ups and non-profits. Teri has established a proven track record for connecting people, policies, strategy, and innovation to drive business objectives. She has exceptional knowledge of insurance issues and extensive contacts within the insurance industry, with a particular emphasis on the NAIC, NCOIL, ACIC, IAIR and IRES organizations and conferences. Teri is known for her keen ability to analyze and distill issues down to their essence and identify, then obtain, the appropriate audience. Her ability to network and engage with regulators, service providers and industry executives is unparalleled. Teri also has an excellent reputation for her outstanding organizational and communication skills and her ability to manage and coordinate several competing schedules and agendas for groups attending conferences. Equally dedicated to serving the public and community, Teri has served as a board member for multiple non-profits, focusing on public policy ,advocacy, organization and planning. Through her work, she has nurtured political relationships with elected officials on state and national levels guiding collaboration and partnerships and advancing policy objectives.
Contact:
thernandez@americaninsurtech.com
Phone: (307)-203-0078
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-hernandez-6889284b/
Scott Harrison is an accomplished entrepreneur and insurance regulatory specialist who, for over 30 years has served as an attorney and expert advisor guiding insurance carriers, insurtechs, and other licensed entities toward achieving critical business goals in innovative regulatory and operational areas.
In the mid-1990s, Scott had the privilege of serving as New York’s Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, following his earlier role as Delaware’s Deputy Commissioner of Insurance. During his time in New York, he led Department’s evaluation of catastrophe models and their application in property insurance rate-making. At the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, he co-chaired the inaugural Catastrophe Modeling Subgroup.
After leaving public service, Scott’s involvement with the intersection of technology and change in the insurance business continued. In 2005, he created and chaired the Affordable Life Insurance Alliance, an organization of life insurers that spearheaded the effort to modernize the system for the valuation of life insurance reserves in the U.S. In 2015, he supervised the first regulatory examination into a cybersecurity breach of an insurance carrier.
Scott is passionately engaged in exploring how Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies are transforming the insurance industry. He currently collaborates with insurance carriers to develop robust strategies and governance frameworks for AI implementation. As a Co-Founder of the American InsurTech Council, he champions sensible public policies that foster ethical, tech-driven innovation in insurance.
He is a Co-Founder of the American InsurTech Council, Founder and Principal of High Point Strategies, LLC, and Harrison Law Office, PC. He is also a Senior Advisor in the Global Financial Services practice at Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm notable for its work in turnaround management and performance improvement across a number of industry sectors. He is also the CEO of the National Alliance of Life Companies.
Contact:
sharrison@americaninsurtech.com
Phone: (703) 967-0339
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-harrison-25124a5/
Thomas Mays is the founder and President of Thomas Mays Government Relations with over 35 years' experience in the insurance industry and a former California elected official. Tom provides expertise in state legislative and regulatory affairs providing government relations consulting services to clients that includes legislative and regulatory advocacy. Tom previously served as Vice President of Government Relations, Pacific Life Insurance for 25 years managing a variety of life insurance and investment-related issues for the company in all 50 states. He has extensive experience working with Governors, legislators and regulators on a state level and at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). Tom has served on the Board of Directors of several state trade associations and worked closely with the American Council of Life Insurers on state issues. He formed and worked in several industry coalitions on a variety of issues impacting the financial services industry. He also served in the California State Assembly representing the 58th Assembly District encompassing coastal Los Angeles and Orange Counties, as well as Mayor and City Councilman of Huntington Beach, CA.
Contact:
Phone: (949) 500-7943
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mays/
J.P. Wieske is the Vice President of State Affairs at Horizon Government Affairs,
bringing over 30 years of expertise in the insurance industry. As a former Deputy
Insurance Commissioner for the State of Wisconsin, J.P. has a proven track record in
regulatory leadership and policy reform. His deep understanding of regulatory issues
and his role as a thought leader in the industry make him an invaluable asset to clients
seeking to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
During his tenure as Deputy Insurance Commissioner, J.P. supervised the regulatory,
public information, and administrative functions for the Office of the Commissioner of
Insurance. He actively participated in the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners, chairing subgroups such as the Regulatory Framework Task Force and
the Health Care Reform Alternatives Working Group.
J.P.'s extensive knowledge of the regulatory process enables him to provide exceptional
advice to his clients. He regularly testifies before state and federal legislative and
regulatory bodies on critical issues, including the use of artificial intelligence and
machine learning in the insurance sector.
Contact:
Phone: (920) 784-4486
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-p-wieske-flmi-8300a37/