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
Associate Director
Jennifer Stenzel, CMIP
Jennifer joined Trident Marine Managers in 2003 and has over 18 years of marine insurance experience. She is focused on marine excess liability currently, previously working in the hull & machinery and P&I market. Jennifer holds a P&C and Surplus Lines license and has completed the Certified Marine Insurance Professional Designation Program (CMIP) from the International Institute of Marine Insurance Studies (IIMIS). Outside of the office, Jennifer is an avid dog-lover, specifically dachshunds (she owns 2!), and supports local and state dog rescues. In addition, Jennifer enjoys gardening and cooking.
jennifer.stenzel@tridentmm.com
(O): 346-444-8662
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
Katie Pfalzer, CISR, CMIP
Katie Pfalzer is a marine underwriter and broker with a focus on primary hull and P&I business. She joined the Trident team in 2003 as an underwriting clerk and soon realized she aspired to move to the underwriting team. She holds a P&C and Surplus Lines license and completed the Certified Marine Insurance Professional Designation Program (CMIP) from the International Institute of Marine Insurance Studies (IIMIS). In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young children, sharing meals & wine with friends and Marie Kondo-ing her whole house.
katie.pfalzer@tridentmm.com
(M): 713-817-4138
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
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
Underwriting Technician / Administrative Assistant
April Nixon
April Nixon joined the Trident Marine Managers team in February 2012 as an administrative assistant. Since then, her role has expanded to include supporting the underwriting team. As Underwriting Technician, she helps with day-to-day tasks, such as auditing endorsements and setting up renewals. April holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a minor in Management from Sam Houston State University. Outside of the office, April is an avid traveler. When she’s not traveling, April enjoys spending time with her family, specifically her husband and their two pets, Bella and Jaxon.
april.nixon@tridentmm.com
(O): 281-453-1101
Underwriting Analytics Specialist
Matt Grassa
Matt Grassa joined the Trident Marine Managers team in 2018. After graduating from Long Island University that same year with a degree in information technology, he began his insurance career with Trident as Underwriting Technical Assistant. Outside the office, he enjoys a variety of sports and spending time with friends and family.
matthew.grassa@Tridentmm.com
(O) 516-473-0894
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