2023 Distinguished Leader Award Recipient
Geof McKernan
CEO & Founder
NSM Insurance Group
CEO & Founder
NSM Insurance Group
Geof McKernan founded NSM as a commercial property and casualty insurance brokerage firm in 1990 along with his partner Paul Norman. After uncovering strong client demand for specialized insurance solutions to meet the specific needs of their industries, he began building his own programs to provide just that.
Through his visionary leadership, the company has grown to more than 1,200 employees and $1.5B+ in premium across 14 locations in the U.S. and U.K. Today, the company is a premier provider of specialty insurance programs and has built and acquired 30+ standout programs and household brands focused on collector cars; pets; nonprofit and social services; behavioral health and addiction treatment; coastal condominiums; farms and ranches; towing and garage; trucking; sports and fitness; professional liability; apartments and condos; medical stop-loss; staffing; workers’ compensation and more.
Geof is a recognized innovator and frequently called-upon speaker in the insurance industry — dedicating his 30+ year career to developing successful and profitable specialty insurance programs, along with top-notch talent.
Geof is extremely committed to charitable giving and philanthropic initiatives and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit that provides necessary financial relief for families of fallen first responders.
Geof holds his B.S. in Environmental Studies from Rutgers University, where he was a proud member of the men’s rowing team and maintains a competitive spirit in all he does.
Education
Rutgers University – Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Community Involvement
Chairman of the Board of Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation (FBBCF)
Chairman of the Board of the UBC 1871 Foundation
Active supporter and philanthropist for the Caron Foundation; Mission Kids; St. Joseph’s Prep; and the Union League Legacy Foundation
Through his visionary leadership, the company has grown to more than 1,200 employees and $1.5B+ in premium across 14 locations in the U.S. and U.K. Today, the company is a premier provider of specialty insurance programs and has built and acquired 30+ standout programs and household brands focused on collector cars; pets; nonprofit and social services; behavioral health and addiction treatment; coastal condominiums; farms and ranches; towing and garage; trucking; sports and fitness; professional liability; apartments and condos; medical stop-loss; staffing; workers’ compensation and more.
Geof is a recognized innovator and frequently called-upon speaker in the insurance industry — dedicating his 30+ year career to developing successful and profitable specialty insurance programs, along with top-notch talent.
Geof is extremely committed to charitable giving and philanthropic initiatives and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit that provides necessary financial relief for families of fallen first responders.
Geof holds his B.S. in Environmental Studies from Rutgers University, where he was a proud member of the men’s rowing team and maintains a competitive spirit in all he does.
Education
Rutgers University – Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Community Involvement
Chairman of the Board of Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation (FBBCF)
Chairman of the Board of the UBC 1871 Foundation
Active supporter and philanthropist for the Caron Foundation; Mission Kids; St. Joseph’s Prep; and the Union League Legacy Foundation