Headquarters:
13 Temple St, Quincy, MA 02169
Year founded:
1978
Number of employees:
225
Phone:
617.471.7171
Email:
bdsteam@xsbrokers.com
Website:
xsbrokers.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/xsbrokers
XS Brokers
Adam Devine
Executive Chair
Eric Wirkus
Chief Executive Officer
Sean McVicker
President
Leadership
Since 2007, Adam Devine has led XS Brokers’ financial performance and strategic direction as executive chair, succeeding founder Ned Mannai. He upholds the firm’s philosophy of building long-term relationships with carriers and retail agency partners, driving significant growth in both production and expertise. Devine has served on numerous industry councils and boards, including as president of the New England Surplus Lines Association and on Markel’s National Producer Council. A Westfield State University graduate, he began his career at State Street Bank. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer, dedicated community volunteer, and proud husband and father.
Executive Chair
Adam Devine
Eric Wirkus is the CEO of XS Brokers, bringing deep experience across underwriting, marketing, and production. He joined XS Brokers in 2009 and has held key roles in sales, carrier relations, and management, becoming part of the executive team in 2017 and president in 2019 before advancing to CEO. Wirkus began his career with an international credit insurance firm and as a habitational insurance program writer. He holds a BA in economics and the Certified Insurance Counselor designation. Away from the office, he enjoys golf, supporting local theater with his family, and passionately cheering on the Miami Dolphins.
Chief Executive Officer
Eric Wirkus
Sean serves as President of XS Brokers. As President, he leads the company’s strategic direction, strengthens carrier partnerships, and cultivates an environment where the industry’s top wholesale talent can thrive. A broker himself, he brings a practitioner’s mindset to leadership — hands-on, collaborative, and relentlessly focused on execution, culture, and client service.
Sean grew up in Westchester, New York where he attended Fordham Prep before earning his undergraduate degree from Boston College. Sports were a formative part of his early life, a passion that shaped his approach to leadership today.
Sean began his insurance career in Liberty Mutual’s Underwriting Training Program, where he was introduced to the E&S market — a space he immediately felt drawn to for its pace, complexity, and entrepreneurial energy. He joined a small E&S carrier early in his career, working alongside seasoned professionals who helped shape his technical foundation. Along the way he earned his CPCU designation and completed his MBA at Boston University.
In 2015, he joined XS Brokers, drawn to the company’s culture and leadership. “I would have signed up to work for Adam no matter the industry,” he reflects. “That feeling has only grown in the past ten years.” Starting out as a Casualty Broker, he formally launched the firm’s Brokerage Department in 2018, building his own book of business while growing the department’s national presence and carrier relationships. He assumed national oversight of XS Brokers’ Brokerage Property & Casualty division in 2022 and joined the firm’s Executive Committee the same year.
Now, as President, his vision is to build and protect the premier platform for top-tier wholesale talent to choose; a privately owned firm where high standards are the norm, execution is expected, and the right people are given the space to thrive.
He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Juli, and their four children. “When I’m not working, it’s all about my family,” he says. “There’s no list of hobbies. I’m at the rink, the field, or just soaking in every moment. I feel incredibly lucky to work at a company that lets me grow alongside such exceptional people professionally, while still being present for all the things that matter most at home.”
President
Sean McVicker
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Jason Brudnick
Chief Information Officer
Jason Brudnick is a growth-focused technology executive currently serving as Chief Information Officer at XS Brokers, a premier independent insurance underwriting and wholesale brokerage group headquartered in Massachusetts. He brings deep expertise in business operations, systems architecture, M&A integration, data strategy, and strategic technology leadership.
Over the course of his career, Jason has held progressive leadership roles across the insurance, banking, and operations sectors. Known for his people-first approach, Jason is as committed to the people around him as he is to the organizations he serves. In the new era of Artificial intelligence, he believes people are the differentiator. He lives in Salem, New Hampshire with his wife Trista, their blended family of three adult children, and three dogs who keep life at home anything but quiet.
Chief Information Officer
Jason Brudnick
Brian Radell
Chief Markets Officer
Brian Radell is the Chief Markets Officer at XS Brokers, where he leads strategic market relationships and drives the firm’s delegated authority and binding initiatives across both domestic and Lloyd’s platforms. With more than a decade of experience in E&S underwriting and wholesale brokerage, he has built a reputation for disciplined underwriting, consistent execution, and scalable program development. Brian has been instrumental in expanding XS Brokers’ geographic footprint and carrier partnerships, while maintaining a strong focus on underwriting integrity in evolving market conditions. He is known for aligning carrier capacity with agency needs through practical, results-driven solutions. Based in the Boston area, Brian remains actively engaged with both carrier partners and retail agents to deliver long-term value and performance.
Chief Markets Officer
Brian Radell
XS Brokers has developed into one of the US specialty market’s standout wholesalers by staying true to an uncompromising formula:
• full independence
• aligning 100% with retail agents
• building a platform where specialists can perform at their highest level
Privately held and family-owned, XS Brokers has no outside capital, no retail arm, and no competing interests. The firm’s only client is the retail agent, with every decision made through that lens. Culturally, it operates with the urgency and accountability of a boutique shop, backed by the carrier access and capabilities of a national wholesaler. Brokers, marketers, and service teams work shoulder to shoulder with retail partners to solve problems and place business in an environment defined more by camaraderie and outcomes than hierarchy or bureaucracy.
Since 2021, XS Brokers has doubled revenue organically without acquisitions or outside capital. Leadership points to a combination of hard-to-replicate advantages: independence, deep long-term carrier relationships, and deliberate investment in people and technology. The result is a wholesaler that can move faster, execute with more precision, and bring a level of focus that benefits agents.
The firm’s leadership team has been central to this trajectory:
• President Sean McVicker steers growth and carrier strategy with a disciplined, long-term view befitting a privately held business, ensuring expansion never comes at the expense of service.
• CEO Eric Wirkus has driven the modernization of the operating platform, elevating technology from back-office necessity to front-line competitive edge.
• EVP of carrier relations and corporate strategy Annie Dawson anchors the firm’s market access, keeping carrier alignment tightly calibrated to growth.
• EVP and national sales leader Misty Quail leads retail distribution and relationships with the Top 100 agencies nationwide.
• CIO Jason Brudnick is building the data and digital infrastructure required for true national scale.
The firm has expanded its RMI development program to build a pipeline of wholesale specialists from the ground up, modernized systems so brokers spend more time on relationships and deal-making than administration, and enhanced digital interfaces so retail agents experience faster, more seamless interactions.
Technology and analytics are treated as growth engines, powering higher submission throughput, better carrier matching, and the development of proprietary products that address market gaps.
At the core of its client proposition is specialization. XS Brokers structures its teams around deep expertise – whether that’s New York construction and labor law, complex casualty, commercial property, or professional liability – so agents are always dealing with professionals who know the technical nuances of their risks and the underwriting mindset of each carrier. Reputation is maintained by consistent delivery, high-quality submissions, and transparent communication with agents and underwriters across every office.
Looking ahead, the firm is focused on three reinforcing pillars: talent, technology, and proprietary product innovation. By building its own talent pipeline, staying ahead on digital speed and data-driven execution, and leveraging carrier partnerships to design specialized solutions, XS Brokers aims to continue scaling nationally without losing the independence and responsiveness that have made it a trusted partner on the industry’s most complex risks.
“Monarch E&S has the products, talent, expertise, and reputation to get deals done with our strategic partners and clients, which is essentially table stakes”
Yiana Stavrakis,
Monarch E&S Insurance Services
Annie Dawson
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Carrier Relations
Misty Quail
Executive Vice President and National Sales Leader/Top 100 Liaison
Christopher Welty
Chief Human Resources Officer
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Annie Dawson is a results-driven insurance executive and strategic leader with more than 17 years of experience in the wholesale and specialty lines industry, currently serving as EVP of Carrier Relations & Corporate Strategy at XS Brokers. Known for cultivating high-impact carrier partnerships and driving scalable growth initiatives, she has played a key role in expanding national market presence and strengthening long-term strategic alignment. Her career spans underwriting, production, and executive leadership, providing a well-rounded perspective that informs both operational execution and forward-looking strategy. Annie’s leadership within the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), including serving on the Education Foundation Board and previously on the U40 Executive Board, underscores her commitment to developing talent and advancing the industry. She is widely recognized for blending relationship-driven leadership with a disciplined, results-oriented approach that consistently delivers meaningful business impact.
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Carrier Relations
Annie Dawson
Misty Quail serves as Executive Vice President, National Sales Leader & Top 100 Liaison, where she leads the firm’s national sales organization and sets the strategic direction for sales and distribution across the country. In this role, she is responsible for driving growth, aligning go-to-market initiatives, and empowering internal production teams to consistently achieve and exceed their sales objectives.
Misty also stewards the company’s most critical Top 100 relationships, serving as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to key accounts. Her ability to cultivate and expand high-value partnerships has been instrumental in strengthening the organization’s national footprint and long-term success.
With 24 years of experience in the insurance industry, Misty brings a well-rounded perspective shaped by roles across the retail, carrier, and wholesale sectors. This breadth of experience enables her to navigate complex market dynamics and deliver thoughtful, results-driven solutions.
In 2022, Misty was honored with the Sales Excellence Award in recognition of her relentless drive to advance organizational goals and expand relationships nationwide. She is highly regarded for her organization, passion, collaborative leadership style, professionalism, and sharp analytical acumen.
Outside of work, Misty lives in Upstate New York with her husband, Marc, and their two children. She enjoys boating, spending time at the beach, cooking for her family, and making memories with their beloved dog, Paddington.
Executive Vice President and National Sales Leader/Top 100 Liaison
Misty Quail
Christopher Welty is dedicated to aligning employees with Brown & Riding (B&R)’s vision and values, fostering mutual growth for all. During his tenure, B&R has more than quadrupled in size. He has helped successfully integrate the company through two mergers and has been a strong advocate for many of the company’s important benefit plan enhancements and development programs. He excels at collaboration and has been a key contributor in establishing and promoting the company’s culture and offering programs and opportunities to help employees build a rewarding career.
Welty joined B&R in 2007 as an HR assistant. His dedication and talent earned swift advancement, culminating in his appointment as the firm’s chief human resources officer in 2019.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Christopher Welty
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
maintaining an in-house team of more than 20 programmers to facilitate fast improvements
direct bill options to streamline the payment process for the agent and the insured
providing IVANS policy downloads that enable up to 30 percent labor savings to independent agencies
delivering online capabilities including rating, policy documents, payments, and claims reporting
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“We will continue to strengthen our service proposition and customer experience as a key differentiator, as we build on the momentum we have achieved to date across multiple business lines and territories,” says McLean. “Our im is to continue to grow our market relevance and strengthen our partnerships with our strategic brokers as we expand our leadership position in key sectors.
“We will also continue to invest in talent. We are committed to drawing from the broadest pools of talent, and to creating an environment that attracts and retains stellar employees. We recognise the importance of building teams that are diverse, collaborative, and innovative and are dedicated to cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture in which all our employees can thrive.”
Monarch’s sister company, Capitol Special Risks, is now part of the Monarch umbrella to provide retail broker customers with expertise and markets in the professional, management, and cyber liability space.
“I am very proud of our young and dynamic leadership team,” says Derek Borisoff, chief executive officer of Monarch E&S. “Stefanie McLeod, vice president of personal lines, and Devon Borisoff, vice president of commercial lines, are led by Yiana Stavrakis, our very capable president. All three are known standouts in our industry who lead by example in both work ethic and desire to solve problems. Our firm’s outstanding performance is a result of their positive communications with our people, superb carrier relationships, and proactive management style.”
As a full-service MGA and wholesale brokerage, Monarch gives retail insurance brokers access to many different lines of business through its commercial lines, personal lines, professional lines, transportation, mining/energy, CAT property, earthquake, and flood departments.
“Monarch E&S has the products, talent, expertise, and reputation to get deals done with our strategic partners and clients, which is essentially table stakes,” says Yiana Stavrakis, president at Monarch E&S. “How do we go above and beyond? We aim to work on every deal, regardless of size, as if it were our personal account and provide our retail brokers with problem-solving competencies to handle hard-to-place risks. Most competitors do not provide the same level of service for smaller brokers and risks as they do for larger ones. Monarch thrives when it comes to providing solutions for small to mid-market risks.”
relationships and teamwork
embracing and driving change
holding teammates accountable
pursuing excellence with humility
giving back to the community
Furthermore, talent acquisition and retention pose a significant challenge and are at the forefront of most business leaders’ minds during this unique time. The insurance industry has been aware for years of a looming talent shortage caused by the Baby Boomer generation’s retirement and is now experiencing a war for talent.
“Monarch has been able to overcome this talent acquisition challenge by staying true to who we are, a family environment with national resources, which is something we will continue to encourage and promote,” says Stavrakis. “When working for a team like ours, you are not another cog in the wheel but have the opportunity to make your mark and grow with us as we build out Monarch 2.0.”
Monarch E&S Insurance Services is licensed in every state and is continuously finding ways to enhance its team, client, and carrier partner experiences. Get ready for the royal treatment as Monarch 2.0 expands digitally.
“I am very proud of our young and dynamic leadership team. Our firm’s outstanding performance is a result of their positive communications with our people, superb carrier relationships, and proactive management style”
Derek Borisoff,
Monarch E&S Insurance Services
Yiana Stavrakis,
Monarch E&S Insurance Services
