Experienced Management

The management team is made up of five employees, four of which have been colleagues for more than six years.  The team was put in place by John Meier in February 2005 and has worked diligently to build a management foundation for the company to thrive well into the future. 

John Meier

John has been responsible for ERNWest since its founding in July 1999 while also serving in senior management and executive positions at its former sister company Whittall Management Group.  John completed his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) professional designation, the nine-month Management Program through the University of Washington Executive Programs, and graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Politics and Government.

Greg Kabacy

Greg was the second employee of Whittall Management Group’s WCS Division.  Greg’s responsibilities have included working as a claims manager, group manager, and operations manager and now vice president. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Federal Way office location while managing two of ERNWest’s most important retro groups. Greg completed his undergraduate education at the University of Puget Sound earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and earned his MBA from Pacific Lutheran University in 2000.

Charles “Chip” McKenna

Chip is the newest member of the management team, hired in August of 2004, he brings experience working for national claims management companies and, most recently, he was working for Labor Ready as their insurance manager. Chip is responsible for the day-to-day management of ERNWest’s claims management and safety/loss control activities as well as the Olympia office. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Florida International University, a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Montana State University and holds professional designations as a Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Insurance Service (AIS), and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Craig Smith

Craig has been with ERNWest since its spin off from Whittall Management Group in 1999 and was responsible for much of the company’s early growth. Prior to ERNWest he was the Group Retrospective Rating Manager for Frank Gates Service Company, and he was the retro program manager for the State’s largest retro program, the Building Industry Association of Washington.  Craig is responsible for managing four retro groups. Craig has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University at Chico.