Management
Andrew M. O’Brien has served as Executive Chairman since July 2022 and as one of our directors since December 1996. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 2022 and President from 1996 to 2021. Prior to founding our company, Mr. O’Brien served as a General Partner, Executive Vice President and director of E.W. Blanch Company. Mr. O’Brien has also served as a director of the Health Care Insurance Facility, First Dakota Indemnity Company and SAFE, Inc., a holding company for an accident and health insurer. Mr. O’Brien holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation.
Julie A. Baron has served as our Chief Executive Officer since July 2022. Previously, she held the roles of President and Chief Operating Officer in 2021, Chief Financial Officer beginning in 2015, as well as Treasurer and Secretary. From November 2007 to March 2015, Ms. Baron served as the Controller for Benchmark. Prior to joining Trean, Ms. Baron was a controller for a mortgage broker and title company in the Twin Cities. Ms. Baron holds a B.S. in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Nicholas J. Vassallo has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2021. He previously held the role of Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining our company, Mr.Vassallo served as Chief Accounting Officer for iMedia Brands, Inc. from May 2018 to October 2019 and as Senior Vice President – Corporate Controller since October 2015 and Vice President – Corporate Controller since 2001, having first joined iMedia Brands, Inc. as director of financial reporting in October 1996. Mr. Vassallo began his career with Arthur Anderson LLP, where he spent eight years in its audit practice group. Mr. Vassallo holds a B.S. in Accounting from St. John’s University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Steven B. Lee has served as one of our directors since December 1996. Mr. Lee has also served as the Senior Vice President for Trean Reinsurance Services, LLC since December 2016. Mr. Lee has 38 years of experience in the reinsurance and insurance industry focusing on workers’ compensation, casualty and professional liability. Mr. Lee holds a B.A. in Psychology from St. Olaf College, an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from the Mitchel Hamline School of Law.
Elisabeth is the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Program Services for Trean Corporation. She oversees Trean’s program business unit. Prior to joining Trean, she worked in a variety of positions at Berkley Risk Administrators in the areas of underwriting, program administration and claims. Prior to Berkley, Elisabeth gained reinsurance experience working at Aon Benfield. She earned a master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration from Metropolitan State University and a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota.
Matthew J. Spencer has served as our Chief Information Officer since October 2018. Mr. Spencer served as our Vice President of Business Technology from April 2015 to October 2018. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Spencer served as the Senior Project Office Manager for MMIC Insurance, Inc. from July 2013 to March 2015. Mr. Spencer holds a B.S. in Quantitative Methods in Computer Science and a B.A. in Business Administration and Management from the University of St. Thomas.