Meet the Team
Eagle Underwriting is an independent managing agent, founded in 1996 by our current chairman, Bernie Cissek, and has offices in Brampton, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. Since then Eagle has been writing insurance for “Things That Move”, delivering superior products, underwriting expertise, and first class claims service to our brokers and their clients.
In January 2014, Mike Wills joined Eagle as President to expand the company into new areas. Mike has several successes in building niche businesses, and together with Bernie and our staff, plans to build Eagle into the leading insurance provider for risks associated with Things That Move™.
Bernie Cissek (B.Sc., C.I.P.)
Chairman
Bernie began his career over 30 years ago in marine and transportation insurance. After he gained experience in underwriting with Royal Insurance, he then became a producer in the marine departments of 2 major brokerage firms. He was the vice chairman of the International Union of Marine Insurance (I.U.M.I.) executive committee and former president of the Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters (C.B.M.U.). Bernie then founded Eagle Underwriting Group Inc. in 1996.
bcissek@eagleunderwriting.com EXT. 107
Mike Wills (F.C.I.P.)
President
Mike has spent 30 years in the insurance business, most recently launching and building two successful specialty insurers in Canada. In addition, Mike has extensive experience in many niche areas with particular expertise in the transportation and trade sectors. Mike is past president of the Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters, a fellow chartered insurance professional and the current chair for the Academic Council of the Insurance Institute of Canada.
mwills@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.111
Andrea J. Sterling (BCL, LLB)
V.P. Claims and Risk Management
Previously a partner of a major insurance law firm in Montreal, Andrea brings over 20 years of experience in maritime, transportation and insurance law. Andrea greatly expands Eagle Underwriting Group’s ability to provide comprehensive services in the management of claims, both before and after a loss. Her impressive experience in subrogation, contract and risk management is a tremendous asset to both brokers and their clients.
asterling@eagleunderwriting.com (905) 497-6609 EXT. 201
Christin Moss (B.A.)
Business Development Manager/ Underwriter
Christin has many years of experience in marine and transportation insurance. She joined Eagle in 2010 from a major North American insurer. Christin specializes in the development and underwriting of our Canadian cargo, yacht and Eagle Insure online system.
cmoss@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.114
Nickie Chandegra
Senior Underwriter
Nickie has had many years of experience in the London market, at major insurers and as a Lloyd’s broker. She presently specializes on our U.S. business; developing and underwriting freight liabilities, cargo, truck cargo and our US Eagle Insure online system.
nchandegra@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.105
Veronica Piñon-Standen (B.A. Hons, MA)
Senior Underwriter
Currently on maternity leave, upon her absence please contact Nicole Esguerra.
Veronica joined Eagle in 2016 to develop the fine art and specie book. Prior to joining Eagle she worked as a cargo, fine art and specie broker in London, UK wholesaling business into the Lloyds Market. She brings 12 years of London experience to Eagle. Alongside the fine art and specie, Veronica will also write general cargo business.
Matthias Cissek (B.A. Hons.)
Senior Underwriter
Matthias joined Eagle in 2011, and has recently completed an extensive development program in the Lloyds market. He underwrites the commercial hull, yacht, cargo and marine liability book, and supports the Eagle Insure yacht system.
mcissek@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.108
John Brienesse (C.I.P)
Senior Underwriting Specialist
John has been in the insurance industry for 25 years with several large insurers. Of those 25 years the first 20 were focused mainly on Commercial Auto fleet underwriting and the Business Development of all lines written by 2 of the previous markets employed with. Since then John has worked on Commercial Programs that included Property, CGL, Umbrella, Auto, D&O, Cyber, K&R, Pollution and AD&D. John is well respected for his high standards of customer service and attention to detail and as such was awarded the 2012 Underwriter of The Year by the Canadian Broker Network.
jbrienesse@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.112
Jean Huynh (B.A.)
Underwriting Assistant
Jean joined Eagle in 2004. Jean supports the senior underwriters in the hull and yacht lines. Jean also prepares the quotes for commercial hull and marine liability lines.
jhuynh@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.104
Winston Chang (B.A., B.Ed., C.R.M., C.I.P.)
Special Underwriter
Winston brings 30 years of experience to the Eagle Underwriting Group. Before joining Eagle, Winston worked in the marine departments of several large insurance companies. He is recognized as a leader in hull and liability insurance throughout Canada.
Ryan Luis
Claims Assistant
Ryan has a solid background in finance previously working for one of the major financial institutions in Canada. Joining Eagle, he assists our VP of claims, is responsible for monthly bordereaux and works directly with our insureds, claimants, brokers and third-party administrators.
rluis@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.109
Barbara Cissek
Accounting
Barbara has been with Eagle since 1996 and assists in accounting and administrative duties.
barbcissek@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.115
Nicole Esguerra
Marketing and Underwriting Assistant
Nicole joined Eagle with a strong marketing and advertising background and has spent a number of years within the transportation logistics industry. Along with promoting Eagles specialized lines she supports and assists our senior underwriters in the yacht and marine segments.
nesguerra@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.113
Vicki Thomson
Underwriter
Vicki joined Eagle with several years of property and casualty experience at a major canadian insurer. She has assisted Eagle in expanding product lines through aviation and property casualty programs.
vthomson@eagleunderwriting.com EXT.110
Patricia Mehew
Policy Management Administrator
Trish joined the Eagle team June 2017 and has several years of experience in insurance administration. She is responsible for policy management development, policy production and issuance. In addition, she also supports our underwriters and brokers in all segments.