Managing Director
Martin Hayes
Martin is Managing Director of Trident Marine Managers. He has over 40 years of experience underwriting and broking both marine and oil and gas business. He spent his first 15 years in London and then 26 years in Houston, Texas, the last 22 of which have been with Trident. In his spare time, Martin enjoys coaching soccer and playing golf.
martin.hayes@tridentmm.com
(M): 832-816-2342
Managing Director
Michael Johnson
Mike has been with Trident Marine Mangers since 2000, specializing in all aspects of marine underwriting with over 25 years of experience in the field. Prior to joining Ryan Specialty in 2017, Mike was co-owner of Trident Marine Managers along with Martin Hayes. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Outside of the office, Mike is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling.
michael.johnson@tridentmm.com
(M): 713-882-8415
Underwriting Director
Cindi Heffernan
Cindi joined Trident Marine Managers in May of 2022 as a director specializing in risk management and insurance portfolio development for the port industry. She has over 25 years of experience in the port industry and has been involved with the development of industry-specific manuscript policy forms and programs. Cindi is a frequent speaker at port industry conventions and seminars and is an active member of the AAPA Finance and Risk Management committees. She is involved with local and regional port associations as well as PRIMA. Away from the office, Cindi enjoys gold panning and hiking in the mountains around her home.
cindi.heffernan@tridentmm.com
(O): 346-444-8658
Associate Director
Justin Jenkins
Justin Jenkins serves as Associate Director for Trident Marine Managers. He joined the team in 2019 through a strategic acquisition to bolster Trident’s equipment physical damage and cargo / stock throughput portfolio. In this role, he focuses on the growth and profitability of Trident’s underwriting facilities, as well as managing product development and broker relationships.
Justin has over a decade of insurance industry experience, focusing on marine and upstream energy. He received his B.B.A. in risk management and insurance from the University of Mississippi.
justin.jenkins@tridentmm.com
(M): 281.453.1109
Senior Underwriter / Broker
Kathy Mitchener, CMIP
Kathy Mitchener joined Trident Marine Managers in 2003 with over 21 years of experience in corporate admin / education with British Columbia Telephone, prior to relocating to the U.S. from Canada. At Trident, she has held a variety of positions within the UW department, including Broker of the former WC/USL&H Program, Compliance Manager, UW Department Manager and Senior Underwriter and Broker of Maritime Employers Liability.
kathy.mitchener@tridentmm.com
(O): 281-453-1124
Senior Underwriter / Broker
Jack Hayes
Jack Hayes joined Trident Marine Managers in July 2021 as an underwriter / broker. After graduating from Lyon College in 2016, he began his insurance career with Price Forbes and Partners Limited, a Lloyd’s broker. After gaining experience in the London market, Jack returned to the United States to work as Underwriting Assistant with Ascot Group, primarily working on Marine, Energy, and Terrorism accounts. Jack completed the London Market insurance exam and has a Property & Casualty license in the state of Texas. When not at work, Jack enjoys playing soccer, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.
jack.hayes@tridentmm.com
(M): 832-496-8812
Senior Underwriter / Broker
Rachael Brenner, CMIP
Rachael joined Trident Marine Managers in January 2021. Prior to joining the team, she was a broker / underwriter at CRC Group in Houston, Texas for 22 years. Rachael works on the marine excess team in Houston with Michael Johnson and Jennifer Stenzel. In her free time, Rachael enjoys working out and spending time with family and friends.
rachael.brenner@tridentmm.com
(M): 713-557-2552
Underwriter / Broker
Kristyn Maria Clemons
Kristyn joined Trident Marine in October of 2024. After graduating at LSU, Baton Rouge, her career began at SBSB Law as a maritime litigation paralegal helping handle the claims side of the industry. Kristyn then transitioned into broking and underwriting at Burns and Wilcox, where she obtained her P&C license for Surplus Specialty Lines before moving to underwrite excess with Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. Since joining Trident, Kristyn works with all lines of marine insurance, including cargo, stock throughput, hull P&I, MGL / MEL, recreation / marinas and excess. In her spare time, you can find Kristyn playing tennis, watching movies or taking wildlife photography.
kristyn.clemons@tridentmm.com
(O): 516-521-2126
Underwriter / Broker
Maria Fitzwater, CMIP
Maria began her career at Trident Marine Managers in 2021 after completing four years in the U.S. Army as an airborne combat medic. At Trident, Maria was exposed to multiple lines of marine and energy coverages. She then joined Munich Re in 2023 as a cargo underwriter. Having experienced the carrier side of the business, Maria decided to shift gears back to the MGU & wholesaler side, rejoining Trident Marine Managers in 2024.
Maria holds her P&C license in Texas and multiple other states, her Certified Marine Insurance Professional (CMIP) from the International Institute of Marine Insurance Studies (IIMIS) and her Certificate of Ocean Marine Insurance (COMI) through the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU). Maria is a member of multiple organizations, such as LEMI (Ladies of Energy and Marine Insurance), APIW (Association of Professional Insurance Women) and WOMI (Women of Maritime Operations). She is also a board member for the Houston Mariner’s Club. Maria also holds her TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card). Outside of the office, Maria enjoys being outside, traveling and spending time with loved ones (including her dogs).
maria.fitzwater@tridentmm.com
(M): 631-662-5803
Senior Account Representative
Maralee Nicol, CISR
Maralee joined Trident Marine Managers in 1992 as a receptionist. After working in that position for 5 years, she moved to the claims department and eventually the underwriting department, which is where she’s been working for the last 22 years. Outside of the office, Maralee enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family, specifically her husband and son.
maralee.nicol@tridentmm.com
(O): 346-444-8660
Underwriting Account Representative
Debra Morris, CISR
Debra joined Trident Marine Managers in 2005. As Underwriting Account Representative, she supports the underwriting team in the Houston office, providing technical support for underwriters in processing and servicing of existing accounts. In addition, Debra holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation from the National Alliance. Outside of the office, Debra enjoys cooking, baking and spending time with her family, friends and pets.
debra.morris@tridentmm.com
(O): 346-444-8659
Controller / Office Manager
Cheryl Lamb
Cheryl has 39 years of property / casualty experience and has worked in the marine industry for Trident Marine for 27 of those years. Throughout her career with Trident, she has advanced, automated and established technology integration, accounting operations and policies & procedures. She has also coordinated audits, due diligence, acquisitions, compliance, payroll, budgets, licensing and taxes. She is currently serving as the accounting contact and office manager for Trident Marine Managers. Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a minor in Accounting from Texas A&M University.
cheryl.lamb@tridentmm.com
(M): 713-594-6244
