Lee Brannon – Schools Specialist

Lee is a veteran leader in public education administration who joined our team in 2015 as our School Specialist. He joined our team after completing 34 years in Virginia public schools. He has been a teacher, principal, finance director, and superintendent. Lee received his doctorate and master’s degrees in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech. He served on numerous boards, including the Governor’s Task Force on School Safety and as chairperson of Region 7 Superintendents and the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium. He resides in Southwest Virginia with his wife Belinda, and they have two grown children.

Kathleen Guzi – Public Entity Specialist

Kathleen joined our team in 2016 as our Public Entity Specialist after nearly 30 years of VA local government experience. She has served in several local government leadership roles, including Finance Director, Assistant County Administrator, Deputy Administrator and County Administrator in Bedford and Botetourt Counties. Kathleen served as president of the Virginia Local Government Manager’s Association, an ICMA member, in addition to several statewide committees and task forces. Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mary Washington College and has completed graduate-level coursework in Public Administration at George Mason University.

Bob Jernigan – Director of Risk Management Services

Bob serves as an advisor to both our employees and our members. He retired from Roanoke County with 27 years of service as Risk Manager. In this capacity, he administered the county’s self-insurance program and was responsible for claims investigation and settlement, as well as safety and loss control training. He has served on numerous risk management organization boards and has spoken on several occasions at local and state government conferences and civic organizations on various risk management and safety topics

Bart Johnson – Director of Risk Management Services

Bart joined our team in 2014 after serving as Risk Manager for James City County and Schools. During his 29-year safety career, he has worked closely with professionals in the fields of local government, manufacturing, construction, restaurant, textile and apparel, medicine, and law. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a Master of Safety Management, both from West Virginia University.

Stephanie Brown – Members Services Manager

Stephanie joined our team in 2013. She brings 20 years of commercial insurance experience and holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designations. Stephanie was previously employed at Scott Insurance as an Account Manager and at Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services as Marketing Director. She has also held positions as underwriter and claims adjuster at One Beacon and Atlantic Mutual Companies.

Carrie Gilbert – Member Services Representative

Carrie joined our team in 2013. She serves as a Member Service Representative and has worked closely with the Hybrid Disability program for the past two years. Carrie received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Emory & Henry College in 2012. She is originally from Buchanan County, VA and now resides in Rocky Mount, VA with her husband, Josh, and her Boston Terrier, Bella. Carrie enjoys traveling the world with her husband.

Sara Reed-Williams – Member Services Representative

Sara is a Member Services Rep with VACORP. She has been in the insurance industry for nearly 20 years, previously with Farmers Insurance. Sara acquired her Property & Casualty and Life Insurance Agent licenses in 2006. She has a wide array of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in customer service. Aside from her career, Sara enjoys time in the kitchen and time with family and friends.

Walt Wharram – Manager of Property Services Division

Walt Wharram joined our Risk Management Team on a full-time basis in 2014 and serves as Manager to our Property Appraisal and Property Valuations Departments. Walt brings nearly 20 years experience in independent claims management and has worked thousands of first and third party property losses ranging from small specialized incidents to severe exposures involving eight figure settlements. In addition to managing our daily property claim needs, Walt is a seasoned field manager having conducted appraisals in large scale catastrophic events such as hurricane Isabel, Irene, Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Walt grew-up in the Historic town of Oriskany, NY and took residence in Virginia after graduating from Liberty University. He lives in Richmond, VA with his wife and daughter.