Our Team

Michael Bonesteel, ASA

Partner

Mike has over 15 years of experience working in captives, both individual risk and group structures. He oversees new business development and captive performance, among other capacities at Garnet. Mike is passionate about working with employers and their agents to build a better way to finance risk. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. Mike lives in Wallingford, PA with his wife and three children, and is based in our Philadelphia office.

Grant Harley

Account Executive

Grant is responsible for reviewing and analyzing claims data, initial submissions handling and pre-underwriting, and compiling data for underwriter review. He has a background in marketing and sales, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Temple University. Grant is based in our Philadelphia office.

PHONE: (267) 969-3415
EMAIL: harley@garnetcaptive.com

Kathy Hellmuth

Controller

Kathy has been with Garnet since 2013 and manages all aspects of internal accounting and employee support. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from TCNJ in Accounting and started her career in public accounting. After having children, she taught for a few years before coming back to accounting with a focus on internal accounting. Kathy is based in our Philadelphia office.

Justin Lamborn

Assistant Vice President

Justin joined Garnet Captive in November 2023 as a part of our business development team. He brings over 6 years of experience from both the carrier and brokerage sides of the industry. Before joining Garnet, Justin gained both small and middle market experience as a risk advisor with Federated Insurance and HUB International. He earned an undergraduate degree from West Chester University and a graduate degree from Millersville University. Justin holds his CRIS and is based in our Philadelphia office.

Rebecca Landes

Senior Account Executive

Rebecca has been a member of the Garnet Captive team since January 2017. She focuses on evaluating potential Members, group renewals, event planning, and managing day-to-day Member needs. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. She joined Garnet right out of college and appreciates the opportunity to assist in many different areas of the company. Rebecca is based in our Philadelphia office.

PHONE: (267) 969-3380
EMAIL: landes@garnetcaptive.com

Kellen Marish

Vice President of Operations

Kellen has been with Garnet since 2012, and currently manages the Underwriting and Operations Team. His major focus is adding and retaining best in class employers to Garnet’s existing groups. He holds an undergraduate degree from Penn State University (2009) and is a former Assistant Golf Professional – golf remains his main hobby outside of work. Kellen currently resides in Wallingford, PA with his wife, daughter and dog. The family is expecting the addition of a baby boy in December, 2023.

PHONE: (610) 643-4620
EMAIL: marish@garnetcaptive.com

Carrie Marmesh, ARM

Senior Vice President

Carrie has over 15 years of experience in structuring and managing group captive programs. She currently oversees the growth and retention of three of Garnet’s group captive programs, with a specific focus on Garnet’s California groups. Prior to joining Garnet Captive, she worked at the New York Stock Exchange for a specialist firm, where she facilitated stock trades. Carrie is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz (go Banana Slugs!). She is based in the California Bay Area, where she resides with her husband, two children, and their puppy, Cleo.

PHONE: (415) 260-2814
EMAIL: marmesh@garnetcaptive.com

Fitzpatrick Owen

Assistant Vice President

Fitzpatrick joined Garnet Captive Services in 2019. He focuses on Member relations, broker development and new business opportunities. Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Penn State University. He resides in West Chester, PA and works out of our Philadelphia office. He looks forward to continuing to grow and evolve with Garnet Captive, helping our Members navigate the ever-changing landscape of risk management.

PHONE: (267) 969-3036
EMAIL: owen@garnetcaptive.com

J.J. Purdy

President

J.J. is a cofounder of Garnet Captive Services. He oversees operations and is active in carrier relations, broker partner development, underwriting, and most other facets of the company. J.J. also serves on several captive insurance company boards. He graduated from Swarthmore College where he majored in economics. Our company is named in honor of his alma mater’s athletic program (#GOGARNET). He lives in Rose Valley, PA with his wife and three children. J.J. is based in our Philadelphia office.

Colin Shaw

Associate

Colin joined the Garnet team in June 2023. He focuses on analyzing initial submissions, group renewals, and data compilation for pre-underwriting. He graduated from Swarthmore College where he majored in economics and played basketball. Colin is based in our Philadelphia office.

Jason Duby

Assistant Vice President

Jason focuses on member relations, broker and new business development. His goal is to provide businesses and brokers, with a better way to insure. Jason is based in Westerly, Rhode Island.

He has over seven years’ experience protecting the assets of mid-large sized businesses, with decades of business development experience in the beverage, automotive and construction industries. With a “client first” mentality, Jason has successfully developed customized insurance programs designed to give peace of mind in the most efficient way possible.

Jason earned his degree at Johnson University and holds the CRIS and ARM designations.

Lisa Smith

Senior Account Executive

Lisa has been a member of the Garnet Captive team since September 2022. She focuses on the initial review of submissions, preliminary underwriting analysis of prospects, group renewals, managing day-to-day Member needs, and event planning. Prior to joining Garnet Captive Services, Lisa’s insurance experience included roles as a Client Service Manager at two retail agencies, and as an underwriter for an MGU. Lisa is based in our Philadelphia office.

Brent Suhr

Regional Vice President

As Regional Vice President, Brent focuses on new business development, helping brokers and clients to implement tailored insurance programs for their organization.

Brent has over a decade of experience specializing in analyzing risk, measuring exposures, and implementing meaningful financial solutions for clients. Prior to Garnet, Brent worked with USI, Aon in New York City, Arthur J Gallagher in Chicago, and locally with a focus on creating insurance solutions for large public and non-profit businesses to mid-market businesses.

Brent holds a Master’s Degree in Risk Management, Accounting, and Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Business Management. Brent is a Certified Risk Manager and holds an Associate’s in Captive Insurance Designation.

Harrison McCorkle

Assistant Vice President

Harrison joined Garnet Captive in October 2024 as part of the business development team. He resides in Houston, TX with his family and two dogs.

Harrison brings over 10 years of experience from the brokerage side of the industry. Before joining Garnet, he gained both middle and large market experience as a property & casualty advisor with USI and Alliant.

Harrison played lacrosse and earned an undergraduate degree from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. He holds his AAI designation.

Girija Shaffer, MBA, ARM

Director of Claims & Loss Control Services

Girija joined Garnet Captive Services in 2013. She oversees the claims and loss control services for the captive programs. Recognized as a leader in the Risk Management field, Girija is dedicated to elevating the level of service related to insurance deliverables. Her philosophy is based on the absolute commitment to deliver exceptional service.

Girija has been in the Risk Management field for 30 years with extensive experience in the captive arena. She started her career in California as a claims adjuster handling a multi-line desk for a TPA. Over the years, she handled claims in multiple jurisdictions and provided oversight of large national accounts. Girija has been involved in claims and safety management for most of her career. As a result, she works closely with both teams to bring a comprehensive Risk Management solution to her clients. In addition, she has worked on various sides of the insurance business which allows her to bring a unique perspective in understanding client needs. Girija is highly focused on delivering a positive experience during the claims and loss control process.

She received her undergraduate degree from California State University Northridge followed by her MBA & ARM. Girija is based out of the Philadelphia, PA office.

Paul Dunn

Account Executive

Paul is responsible for reviewing and the analysis of initial submission data. Additionally, he compiles the diversified data needed for pre-underwriting.

Prior to joining the Garnet Captive team in October 2024, Paul was a part of the SDI underwriting team with Axa XL. Paul brings years of experience in the construction, P&C, and subcontracting industry.

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in risk management & insurance from Temple University. He holds a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and Energy Risk and Insurance Specialist (ERIS) designations.

Chris Schulze

Account Executive

Chris is responsible for analysis of submission information, claims history, and data compilation for pre-underwriting.

With a background in Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance, Chris brings valuable experience to his role. Prior to joining Garnet, he worked full-time at United States Liability Insurance Co.

Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Penn State University and is based in our Philadelphia office.

Ryan Vance

Assistant Vice President

As Assistant Vice President, Ryan focuses on growing Garnet’s group captive programs with an emphasis on our California-based groups.

Ryan is an experienced professional with decades of expertise in both commercial lending and commercial insurance. Known for delivering strategic insights and effective risk management solutions, Ryan has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor in the commercial sector. His ability to connect clients with tailored risk management strategies sets him apart in his field. Before joining Garnet, Ryan worked as a retail broker with James G. Parker in California’s Central Valley. Ryan resides in the heart of California with his wife, who shares his passion for commercial insurance, and their 20-year-old son. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, scuba diving, and roasting his own coffee beans.

Ryan attended the University of Southern California, earning a degree in Economics with a minor in Business.