Headquarters:
261 N. University Dr., Ste 510, Plantation, FL 33324
Year founded:
2006
Number of employees:
40
Phone:
954 331 3031
Email:
pvidal@gridironins.com
Website:
gridironins.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/gridironins
“Every portfolio manager or advisor has fewer clients than the industry standard, so we can devote more time to each client and deliver a level of service and precision that is well above average”
David Poliquin,
BGY Wealth Management
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GRIDIRON INSURANCE UNDERWRITERS
Dave DeMott
President
Peggy Vidal
Chief Financial Officer
Jason Green
Chief Operating Officer
Leadership
David DeMott has served as president of Gridiron Insurance Underwriters for 13 years, during which time he has achieved an average annual growth rate of 24 percent for the insurance program manager, in collaboration with leading global insurers. He is actively involved in industry leadership, sitting on the Florida Surplus Lines Board and contributing to the WSIA Legislative Committee.
DeMott holds a bachelor’s degree in risk management and insurance from Florida State University (FSU) and an MBA from the University of Miami. He is distinguished by his CPCU, AMIM, AU, ARM, ARe, and ASLI designations, and maintains active Agent and Surplus Lines Broker status across all 50 states.
President
Dave DeMott
Peggy Vidal joined Gridiron Insurance Underwriters 12 years ago, after receiving her undergraduate degree in accounting from Florida International University (FIU). She started at Gridiron as a staff accountant while earning her master’s degree in accounting, and ultimately obtaining her CPA license. Over the years, Peggy has grown the finance team and helped foster a strong company culture at Gridiron.
Chief Financial Officer
Peggy Vidal
Jason Green assumed the role of COO at Gridiron Insurance Underwriters more than six years ago, leveraging a wealth of experience gained from diverse roles in underwriting and operations within the insurance sector spanning over 20 years. His expertise has been instrumental in guiding Gridiron toward becoming a technology-driven enterprise through the implementation of cutting-edge operating systems and streamlining workflow efficiencies.
Chief Operating Officer
Jason Green
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
Chris Narron
Co-President,
Ryan Specialty National Programs
Chris Narron is co-president of the Ryan Specialty National Programs practice. National Programs is the Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers division dedicated to developing, underwriting, distributing, and administering class-focused products with multiline coverage solutions. Narron oversees the property-focused Protect programs, including Dealer Protect, Real Estate Investor Protect, and Self-Storage Protect.
Narron brings more than 15 years of commercial property and program underwriting experience across CAT-exposed risks, MGA operations, and national-scale delegated authority platforms. He is recognized for cultivating high-value carrier relationships and driving growth through disciplined underwriting and market insight. He holds the CPCU, ASLI, and ARe designations.
Co-President, Ryan Specialty National Programs
Chris Narron
Jennifer Fifer
Senior VP, Programs
Jennifer Fifer is senior vice president of programs at RPS, where she leads initiatives focused on delegated authority, program business, and commercial underwriting. With more than 25 years of insurance industry experience, she has extensive expertise in developing high-performing insurance programs, strengthening underwriting governance, and building long-term partnerships among carriers, MGAs, and distribution partners.
Fifer holds the CPCU and AIC professional designations and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three sons. Their free time is often spent at football games, on the lake, or traveling together.
Senior VP, Programs
Jennifer Fifer
Gridiron Insurance Underwriters was founded in 2006. Headquartered in Plantation, FL, the company is a dedicated program manager and MGU.
Gridiron is strategically placed to manage insurance facilities and affinity-based program business on a regional and national basis. It currently manages six programs: Inland Marine (admitted and non-admitted), Coastal Property, Excess Liability, Artisan Contracting, Specialty NY Construction, and Private Flood (non-NFIP).
Gridiron offers its customers online access to five of its programs. With a disciplined and consistent underwriting approach, the company is committed to creating, underwriting, and disseminating well-managed and profitable programs.
“We excel at communicating complex strategies in a clear, transparent manner, empowering clients to make informed decisions while maintaining confidence in the discretionary process.”
David Poliquin,
BGY Wealth Management
Laurie Schoch
Senior VP, Property
Kiera Cope
Lead Actuary
Diana Criscione
Head of Operations
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Laurie Schoch is senior vice president of RPS Property Facilities, bringing more than 30 years of E&S and commercial property underwriting experience. Since joining RPS in 2025, she has overseen seven property programs and helped shape underwriting strategy for scalable, delegated authority solutions.
Schoch’s background includes leadership roles at Aspen Insurance Group, XL Insurance and Great American, with deep expertise in facultative placements, catastrophe-exposed risks, and technical underwriting. Known for her industry insight and collaborative approach, she is also passionate about mentoring emerging underwriters and developing solutions that meet evolving marketplace needs.
Senior VP, Property
Laurie Schoch
Kiera Cope is an accomplished insurance actuary and Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, with 30 years of experience in property and casualty risk analysis, underwriting strategy, and actuarial disciplines. She built RPS’s actuarial team and processes to deliver enhanced insights that support profitable program growth, strategic decision-making, and stronger risk management outcomes.
Cope’s team supports existing programs and new expansions through deliverables including M&A due diligence, rate filings, profitability reviews, segmentation analyses, and underwriting tool enhancements. She also volunteers with the CAS Ratemaking Working Group, contributing to technical white papers on emerging and standard ratemaking topics.
Lead Actuary
Kiera Cope
Diana Criscione leads operational systems design and execution for nearly 50 RPS specialty insurance programs. With more than 25 years of experience across insurance operations, technology, and process improvement, she helps streamline workflows, strengthen underwriting practices, and support business growth.
Before joining RPS Programs, Criscione spent 14 years with Gallagher in program operations and business systems leadership roles and previously founded a database company serving clients across industries. She is also a dedicated mother of three and has served as a Girl Scout troop leader for 17 years.
Head of Operations
Diana Criscione
Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.
Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Sarah M Stewart