Since 2005, SUNZ Insurance Company has focused on delivering reliable, forward-thinking solutions nationwide. We combine deep industry experience with advanced technology to serve policyholders and partners with consistency and precision.
Our team is proactive, responsive, and solution-driven. That mindset — paired with individually structured programs — has fueled our steady growth year after year. We proudly provide nationwide A-rated coverage to PEOs, staffing firms, transportation companies, and large organizations, while continuing to invest in smarter solutions for evolving markets.
Steven F. Herrig serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of SUNZ Insurance Company, leading the company’s vision, strategic direction, and overall performance. He is responsible for shaping both the short- and long-term growth strategy of the organization. Herrig was nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year by the Gulf Coast Business Review in 2004 and 2006 for the Sarasota/Bradenton region, and in 2007 he was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year. He also maintains active 220 and 218 insurance licenses.
Peter Arling joined O’Connor & Thomas, P.C., in Dubuque, Iowa, in 2003 and currently serves as an attorney, shareholder, director, and corporate secretary. While maintaining a broad legal practice, he concentrates on business litigation and transactions, consumer and commercial debt collection, and real estate matters.
In 2008, Mr. Distefano was promoted to Chief Operations Officer and elected to the Board of Directors of SUNZ Insurance Company, where he oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations. In 2017, he transitioned to Chief Technology Officer of SUNZ Holdings, LLC, leading technology, data, and information security initiatives across affiliated entities. In 2020, he was appointed Chief Information Security Officer, focusing on strengthening and advancing cybersecurity measures to protect employees, insureds, and claimants while continuously implementing modern security solutions.
Mr. Boyd brings more than four decades of leadership in the insurance industry. As Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Insurance & Investment Services, Inc., he leads a firm that has served businesses and individuals throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties for over 45 years. In addition to his private-sector leadership, Mr. Boyd served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, representing two districts between 2010 and 2018. Earlier in his career, he was elected to the Palmetto City Council, where he also held the roles of Vice-Mayor and Mayor. He earned his Associate’s degree from Manatee Community College and later completed his Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University.
Karrah Herring serves in the cabinet of Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, focusing on economic development, community investment, and improving educational outcomes across Indiana. Prior to her public service role, she spent a decade at the University of Notre Dame leading initiatives in workplace culture, employment compliance, and external affairs. She has been recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal as one of Indiana’s 250 Most Influential Leaders and as a Forty Under 40 honoree. Appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court, she serves on the Commission on Equity and Access, where she chairs a subcommittee focused on expanding pathways within Indiana’s legal system. She is a graduate of Purdue University and Valparaiso University School of Law.
Chief Executive Officer
Steven F. Herrig serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of SUNZ Insurance Company, Inc. He is responsible for the vision and overall performance of SUNZ. Mr. Herrig formulates policies and executes the company’s short- and long-term strategies. As Director and advocate of SUNZ, he serves as a direct liaison between the Board and management of the company and communicates to the Board on behalf of management.
Mr. Herrig has always maintained an entrepreneurial career. In 1999, he founded Progressive Employer Services, LLC and served as Chief Executive Officer during his tenure. Prior to starting Progressive, Mr. Herrig worked in the insurance industry for 16 years and was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elite Agency Services and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Advantage Insurance Agency, which was merged into Connell & Herrig in 1991. He eventually sold this company to focus on growing Progressive.
In 2004 and 2006, he was nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Observer for the Sarasota/Bradenton area, and in 2007 he was named Entrepreneur of the year in the same publication.
Mr. Herrig earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque in 1983. He also holds active 220 and 218 licenses.
Chief Financial Officer
In 2024, Nick Banigo was promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer for SUNZ Insurance Company.
Nick oversees SUNZ regulatory relations, financial reporting and analysis, reinsurance and capital markets. Nick joined SUNZ in 2021 to lead the FP&A department. After joining SUNZ Nick has helped support SUNZ’s attainment of its AM Best rating, the sale of SUNZ’s MGA and TPA entities to Acrisure, and SUNZ’s reinsurance transactions. Previously Nick worked as the Americas CFO for Aetna International and held finance roles at Deutsche Bank and Trinet. Nick received his bachelor’s degree in business from Skidmore College and his master’s degree in business administration from Yale University.
Chief Operating Officer
Karen Bolinder is Chief Operating Officer and has over 30 years of diversified experience in accounting and business operations, policy administration, financial analysis, and system implementations. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Financial Operations for SUNZ Insurance Company, Inc.
During Mrs. Bolinder’s career, she has provided guidance and support of operational and financial systems implementations. In addition, she has expertise in process improvement and workflow efficiencies. She has extensive experience in supporting executive management through meeting financial and managerial reporting needs. From 2008 through 2015, Mrs. Bolinder was responsible for key operational duties as vice president of operations for several companies. She began her career managing workers’ compensation programs, formerly holding the position of controller.
Mrs. Bolinder graduated from the University of Central Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She also holds a Florida 220 license.
Chief Underwriting Officer
David Brodsky joined SUNZ Insurance as Chief Underwriting Officer in 2020 and is a veteran in the industry with over 35 years of experience in underwriting and workers’ compensation.
He was formerly a Senior Vice President with the Underwriting Division of Houston International Insurance Group out of Morristown, New Jersey. He has also worked for QBE North America, Tower Group International, and Chubb (formerly ACE) in senior-level roles and has demonstrated success driving profitability, building market share, creating new business units, and opening new market initiatives on a national level.
Mr. Brodsky is responsible for leading the SUNZ underwriting portfolio and focuses on technical execution as well as supporting the company’s growth and profitability ambitions.
He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management and has pursued his master’s in business administration from Pace University and Northeastern University.
Chief Information Officer
John Sells is Chief Information Officer and joined SUNZ in 2016 with over 10 years of experience leading and developing teams for a boutique data consulting services firm. Prior to his role as Chief Information Officer, Mr. Sells served as Chief Data Officer, overseeing the data analytics team and promoting a data-driven corporate culture.
He draws on his expertise in application development, enterprise data architecture, and business intelligence to align corporate strategy with technical solutions. Mr. Sells brings significant project management experience to the team including scheduling, budgeting, and risk management of major organizational programs.
Mr. Sells holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has presented at numerous conferences nationwide on data warehousing, data quality, and enterprise data management.
Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer
In 2008, Mr. Distefano was promoted to the role of Chief Operations Officer along with being voted onto the Board of Directors of SUNZ Insurance Company. In this expanded role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of SUNZ Insurance Company. In 2017, Mr. Distefano took the role of Chief Technology Officer of SUNZ Holdings, LLC for the company overseeing technology, data, and information security for all affiliated entries. In 2020 Mr. Distefano was promoted into the role of Chief Information Security Officer and focuses on continuing to enhance and monitor cyber security measures for SUNZ to constantly look for the latest advances in security technology solutions to protect employees, team members, insureds, and claimants.
Chief Accountant
Dave began his career with the Jacksonville office of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, where he spent ten years working in the financial sector. Following Deloitte, Dave has held various accounting and operations positions in the insurance industry and is currently Chief Accountant at Sunz Insurance Company in Bradenton. Dave is a Director of DiffRins Insurance Company (Cayman Islands). Dave was a previous member of the Florida Board of Accountancy, having been appointed by Governor Scott in 2016. Dave has authorized several textbook chapters and articles on internal controls and risk management. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Risk Management from Florida State University. Dave is a life member of both the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
General Counsel
Brian Pincket joined SUNZ in January 2025 as its General Counsel. With his almost 40 years as an attorney in both in-house positions (Toyota/World Omni Finance; Bank of America; Bombardier) and law firms (Akerman; English McCaughan), Mr. Pincket has experience in a wide range of transactional and corporate matters, including M&A, commercial finance (asset-based financing), equipment leasing, commercial real estate, and compliance and corporate governance. Over the past 18 years, Mr. Pincket has worked in-house for Professional Employer Organizations (Vensure Employer Services and Matrix Employer Services) where he gained extensive experience in the workers’ compensation insurance industry.
Mr. Pincket holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Finance) from the University of Miami (Cum Laude; Presidential Scholar) and a Juris Doctor degree from The Florida State University College of Law (With Honors; Law Review).
Vice President of Corporate Services
Chris O’Connor holds a Bachelor degree from Michigan State University and Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan. Chirs worked as an Area Senior Vice President for Arthur J Gallagher, responsible for the Leadership, Customer Relations, Data Analytics and Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence services to their PEO Division. Chris was a co-founder and chief financial officer of Stonehenge Insurance Solutions, Inc. (P&C brokerage firm specializing in the PEO and Staffing industries) that was sold in 2019. Prior to Stonehenge, Chris was a co-founder of National HR Advantage (a Florida-based PEO) that was sold to Oasis Outsourcing. Chris also spent 10 years with Ernst & Young LLP in their M&A Due Diligence practice, consulting on over 100 transactions. His professional experience includes management of Property, Casualty & Workers’ Compensation insurance program placement, consultation and advising clients about appropriate risk assumption, as well as buy and sell side due diligence services.