What Makes VYRD Different?
Built by Floridians for Floridians, VYRD is creating new and innovative homeowner's insurance from the ground up. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and a policyholder-first mentality, we aim to set the new standard in secure home protection. We're in this together and involve the customer to ensure we meet Florida homeowners' unique needs and expectations.
Agent Partners
Trust, built through personal connections, is essential to modern insurance. We believe strong relationships with qualified professional agents are imperative to providing Florida homeowners with the proper coverage.
Deep Expertise
VYRD’s leadership team has over 183 years of combined experience insuring homes in Florida, and we’re partnering with companies based in Florida and beyond to meet our policyholders’ needs.
Financial Strength
We are committed to your security. VYRD is well capitalized, utilizes a financial model focused on balance sheet strength, and maintains a Financial Stability Rating® “A” Exceptional from Demotech, Inc., ensuring that we will be there to pay all claims despite any economic downturn or changes in the insurance marketplace. Demotech is a leading independent financial analysis firm.
Tech-Forward
Modern protection is about vision — and investing in research and development to bring you new market-leading solutions to provide better products, mitigate loss, and deliver exceptional claims handling.
Letter From The CEO
David M. Howard
PRESIDENT AND CEO
David M. Howard
PRESIDENT AND CEO
David Howard knows insurance. With more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the insurance field, David has served as CEO, COO, EVP and president at several insurance carriers, insurance tech start-ups, and general underwriters/agencies. He is a former advisory council member of Careers for Life (CFL) at The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. He also is a licensed property and casualty agent in Florida and holds non-resident licenses in 10 other states. David also knows business. Throughout his career, he has accumulated a deep mix of experience in organizational management, business development, sales and agency management, regulatory compliance, and risk management. He successfully operated Howard Consulting to support and grow a variety of businesses and corporations. This experience was the basis for his desire to form VYRD as a new way to deliver insurance products to the Florida market. A former captain in the U.S. Army, David is committed to supporting veterans any way he can. He is the founder of VetCor, a Tampa-based water mitigation company that has been recognized for its track record in hiring veterans, and he is a board member of the Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers (DVIC) organization. He is a 1984 graduate of Central Michigan University and was the distinguished military graduate.
David M. Howard
President and CEO
David M. Howard
President and CEO
David Howard knows insurance. With more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the insurance field, David has served as CEO, COO, EVP and president at several insurance carriers, insurance tech start-ups, and general underwriters/agencies. He is a former advisory council member of Careers for Life (CFL) at The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. He also is a licensed property and casualty agent in Florida and holds non-resident licenses in 10 other states. David also knows business. Throughout his career, he has accumulated a deep mix of experience in organizational management, business development, sales and agency management, regulatory compliance, and risk management. He successfully operated Howard Consulting to support and grow a variety of businesses and corporations. This experience was the basis for his desire to form VYRD as a new way to deliver insurance products to the Florida market. A former captain in the U.S. Army, David is committed to supporting veterans any way he can. He is the founder of VetCor, a Tampa-based water mitigation company that has been recognized for its track record in hiring veterans, and he is a board member of the Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers (DVIC) organization. He is a 1984 graduate of Central Michigan University and was the distinguished military graduate.
Homeowners across the state of Florida face increasingly frequent and severe threats. Yet the insurance market has been challenged to provide the solutions and protection homeowners need. VYRD understands this challenge and is poised to meet homeowners’ needs with a fresh approach.
VYRD is made up of people like you. We are your neighbors and share your concerns about the safety and security of our homes. We understand the need to know that if the worst happens, your insurance company will be there to make things right.
We also bring deep experience in homeowners insurance and all that comes with it. And we have partnered with the best service providers in the business to offer Floridians better coverage and service at competitive rates.
We are committed to delivering more effective prevention, better protection and a smoother customer experience.
Sincerely,
David M. Howard
President and CEO
Our Team
Elizabeth Bevelacqua
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
Elizabeth Bevelacqua
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
This former agency owner has worked in a wide range of insurance specialties, giving Liz Bevelacqua a solid background to become VYRD’s strategic sales and marketing expert. Her experience includes sales roles at The Hartford, Nationwide, FWCI and Heritage Insurance. While at The Hartford, Liz successfully rolled out the first use of mobile devices for field sales representatives in personal lines, implemented timesaving workflow apps, and other best practices in support of the AARP auto and home program in the Northern California/Bay area. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of personal lines sales at Acentria, a Foundation Risk Partners company. After moving from agency life to the carrier side, Liz has worked closely with partners in Florida, California, Texas and Southeast United States, providing strategic planning, business development, agency education and profitability management services. Liz is a graduate of Florida International University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in Education. She is a longtime supporter of the Salvation Army.
Brian D. Bottjer, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Brian D. Bottjer, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
First and foremost, Brian Bottjer’s role as VYRD’s CFO is to earn the trust and confidence of our policyholders. He does this by responsibly overseeing VYRD’s financial planning and operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory reporting requirements, developing internal controls, managing accounting procedures, and monitoring company cash flow. Brian understands no one ever hopes to have to file a claim on their homeowner’s insurance policy – but when they do, he wants to be there in their time of need. He appreciates that the insurance industry provides many opportunities to serve and make a difference which he finds highly rewarding. He also appreciates VYRD’s structure as a nimble and collaborative team that allows everyone to lend a hand, take on large and small tasks, and have a true impact on the success of the business. Prior to joining VYRD, Brian held financial roles at FG Financial Group, Inc., Biovest International, Inc., and at other publicly traded insurance, financial services, and retail companies. When Brian is not in the office, he if off doing something with (or for) his family. As a life-long sports enthusiast, Brian is a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan, and is an avid golfer (working hard on improving his golf game, lowering those scores, and keeping his keen sense of humor through it all). He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of Buffalo.
Ian Caruthers
Agency and Insured Services
Support Team Leader
Ian Caruthers
Agency and Insured Services Support Team Leader
If gratitude is an attitude, Ian Caruthers wins all the prizes. Every single day, he gets to fulfill his passion to help Florida families, protect their financial welfare, solve problems, and generally make life better. He credits all that to the open structure and opportunity at VYRD, where he now focuses primarily on overseeing agency compliance with the state of Florida. He also supports VYRD’s service, underwriting, sales, and marketing teams with procedures, tools, and best practices so they can achieve optimal relationships with our partners, agencies, and policyholders. He maintains a 2-20 General Lines license and has worked in service, underwriting, sales, agency, first notice of loss, claims support, insurance project management, and insurance operations management throughout his 11-year insurance career. He loves relationship building, interacting with people, and doing all he can to help through a challenge. His motivation is seeing their smiles after resolving a problem – which helps him stay consistently upbeat! Ian graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in English and Technical Writing.
Shari Evans
Multimedia Designer
Shari Evans
Multimedia Designer
You might say Shari was born with a paint brush in her hand — since her artist (and art teacher) mom surrounded her with all things art from day one. This, naturally, inspired Shari to set her sights on becoming a professional artist in her own rights. While in high school, she attended the animation program at Florida’s Ringling College of Art & Design. From there, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Central Florida. She fine-tuned her interactive design skills (web design, front-end web development, photography and video production) through programs at Valencia College. She was a print designer at an advertising agency before moving into interactive design and strategy roles within the insurance industry. For more than a decade, she has offered her creative talents to design fundraising materials for Give Kids The World Village resort for critically ill children and their families. At VYRD, Shari helps define and guide the company’s visual brand in digital and print formats, working towards establishing VRYD as the premier Florida-first insurance company.
Yong Gilroy
Director of Claims
Yong Gilroy
Director of Claims
Yong Gilroy, being a first-generation immigrant from South Korea, brings a never-ending drive and competitive work ethic to VYRD, as our Director of Claims. He has been serving policyholders and clients in the insurance industry for over 35 years. This includes over 21 years with primary carriers, six-years with Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and several years with a mitigation and specialty material supplier conglomerate. He has held senior executive level roles for the past 15 years with strong experience in insurance operations, specifically focused on claims management. His experience with weather-related claims trends, catastrophic events, and non-catastrophe scenarios uniquely positions him to excel in managing claims for Florida homeowners. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Troy State University. During his leisure time, he loves to spend time with his wife - Tammy, family, and enjoys golf.
Laura Hanson
Chief Digital/Brand Officer
Laura Hanson
Chief Digital/Brand Officer
Laura comes to VYRD with a strong “get-it-done” attitude that taps into both her technology expertise and her 25 years of experience in insurance marketing. She understands the fine art of strategy and team development (two things that also come in handy when she’s at the helm of her sailboat). Laura spent much of her career in various product management roles at national carriers including Travelers and The Hartford and developed a specialty using technology to create operational efficiencies and improve the customer experience. Just before joining VYRD, Laura was with SiriusPoint, a specialty insurer and reinsurer, where she supported investments in technology and data-driven insurance companies and MGAs/distributors. Now a fellow Floridian, Laura originally hails from the Northeast where she still enjoys sailing with family and friends. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Hartford.
Steve Harding
Managing Director, Operations
Steve Harding
Managing Director, Operations
Steve Harding’s quick wit and sense of humor are very much welcomed at the busy VYRD office – and we love his belief that people are always first. Steve works tirelessly to deliver on the VYRD promise to customers and stays keenly focused on the overall VYRD product and service ecosystem. This includes managing innovative product and systems development, facilitating integrations, and ensuring service excellence from VYRD partners. Steve’s 30-year insurance career includes 25 years in leadership roles at Seibels Bruce where he led and developed business processes, outsourced business for underwriting and claims operations, and managed startup operations for five Florida carriers (serving as point person during multiple natural catastrophes). A life-long “tech junkie,” Steve was right at home serving as subject matter expert on several system implementations, including the Guidewire suite of products. Steve’s life in insurance began in claims at Geico, where he quickly climbed the ranks to underwriting, customer service, and sales management. He holds a B.B.A. with a major in finance from Florida Atlantic University. When he's not working, he is with his family, off on a travel adventure, or, of course, trying out some new comedy to share back at the VYRD office.
Valerie LaTour
Financial Controller
Valerie LaTour
Financial Controller
Valerie LaTour has built a distinguished career managing the financial teams within the insurance industry, allowing for the smooth operations of the companies she has served. Prior to her role as controller at VYRD, Valerie has held financial management positions at Wright Flood, Fidelity National Insurance Services, Insurance Management Solutions Group, and Bankers Insurance Group. At Wright Flood, she was the vice president of finance, managing gross premiums of $700 million. While there, she specialized in financial reporting for the National Flood Insurance Program along with strategic partners Zurich and Lloyds of London. Valerie has achieved a master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Economics from the University of Florida. She holds a Series 7 and 66 license and her Florida 215 license for life, health, and annuities. Valerie is a board member of Solve Maternity Homes and the Dream Oaks Camps for Children, both located in Bradenton, Florida.
Jesse Rehberg
Product Development
and Data Analytics Manager
Jesse Rehberg
Product Development and Data Analytics Manager
Jesse Rehberg is our resident expert on all things Florida – coming from a family that spans six generations of Floridians – and he is the ultimate Florida history buff. Fortunately for VYRD, Jesse is also an avid problem solver (the more complex the better) and a fantastic listener! That’s what makes him ideal as VYRD’s product developer and data and analytics guru. Jesse works daily to transform data into knowledge so he can help VYRD develop (or improve upon) products and procedures that enhance the customer and agent experience. He knows insurance is constantly changing and requires continual innovation for organizational success – and being a part of this process is what makes his career exciting. Jesse comes to VYRD after two decades working with Capitol Preferred Insurance Company and Southern Fidelity Group – both in-house and as an actuarial consultant for each company. Through this experience, he is well versed in the property and casualty regulatory environment. Jesse holds a bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science and minor in Accounting from Florida State University in Tallahassee. And when he’s not thinking about revolutionizing the insurance industry, he enjoys time outdoors with family and friends.
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