ABOUT US
Reimagining Risk
Redefining Coverage
Green Shield Risk Solutions is a Managing General Agency (MGA) built for a new era of risk — delivering tailored insurance coverage where traditional carriers fall short. Our mission is simple: provide protection for homes and clients facing the growing challenges of catastrophic risk, especially in wildfire-exposed regions.
We launched Guardian Elite Home, our flagship homeowners insurance program, to solve a critical market gap. Designed for affluent individuals, this exclusive product leverages proprietary wildfire analytics and deep underwriting insight to deliver comprehensive coverage — even in the most complex scenarios.
With a foundation rooted in data science, strong carrier partnerships, and real-world underwriting experience, Green Shield empowers brokers with the confidence to secure difficult placements and expand their book of business.
OUR STORY
Solving for Insurability Isn’t Just What We Do — It’s Why We Started
As the former CEO of one of the top writers of private flood insurance, I’ve long seen the growing gap between what the insurance market offers, and what people in high-risk areas truly need. Nowhere is that gap more urgent than in wildfire-prone states like California.
Driven by years of catastrophic losses, many carriers and reinsurers have pulled out of wildfire-exposed regions, leaving homeowners, communities, and entire markets stranded without coverage. This isn’t just a market failure — it’s a threat to resilience.
While much of the industry remains fixated on scoring risk and denying coverage, we founded Green Shield Risk
Solutions to solve for insurability. That means identifying strong properties, helping owners harden them further, and enabling coverage through active risk mitigation and ongoing threat monitoring.
Our mission is simple: insure the homes that are worth saving, and help make more homes insurable. Because real resilience doesn’t come from saying “no” to risk. It comes from partnering with those willing to reduce it.
Green Shield’s approach addresses the root issue head-on: we make insurance possible by actively improving the conditions that shape it. That’s why we’re here — and that’s what makes us different.
Pat Blandford
Founder & CEO
OUR TEAM
Expertise You Can Count On
Our leadership team brings decades of experience across underwriting, distribution, risk analytics, and claims — all focused on helping our partners succeed. We combine deep technical knowledge with a hands-on, relationship-first approach.
Insurance Leadership
Pat Blandford
Founder & CEO
Former CEO of Tokio Marine Highland, a specialty property MGU in private flood, builders’ risk and fine arts. Pat grew the business from $170 million to $450 million in GWP while significantly improving the company’s underwriting profitability.
Nick Sedlak
Head of Underwriting
Nick’s held leadership roles at AIG, Berkley One, Nationwide Private Client and ACE Private Risk Services. He has experience building high-net-worth insurance and commercial property teams.
Jason Grodensky
Head of Distribution
Jason has more than 20 years of retail and wholesale distribution experience and relationships. He formerly worked as a leader at AmWINS and MarketScout, and as a director on the National Board of the LAAIA.
Kimberly A. Norris
VP, Wholesale & Distribution
Kimberly has over 12 years of experience in wholesale E&S brokerage. She holds a BS in Psychology and is pursuing graduate studies in Organizational Leadership. A Six Sigma Black Belt, she is recognized for her strategic approach to complex risks and commitment to innovation.
Kelly Roberts
Account Manager
Kelly joined Green Shield two years ago as an Accounts Manager specializing in personal lines. She brings a people-first mindset from her background in customer service and is known for being responsive, organized, and team-oriented.
Jim Jirsa
Head of Analytics and AI
Prior to joining Property Guardian, Jim spent five years as Vice President of Data Science at Performance Trust Capital Partners, focusing on Analytics and Machine Learning. He currently holds a Bachelor of Science from Saint Louis University, a Master of Science from the University of Notre Dame, and is working on another Master of Science in Applied Math at DePaul University.
Chris Barks
Head of Operations
Chris, a seasoned operations executive, brings 20+ years of financial services and insurance experience, notably leading transformations at IBM and Tokio Marine Highland. His strategic expertise fuels our growth and operational efficiency.
Joshua Clifton
Head of Marketing & Communications
Josh has two decades of experience in leading marketing and communications strategy, content development and digital initiatives in the insurance, financial services, and publishing industries. Prior to joining Green Shield, he served as Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Tokio Marine Highland and in a variety of leadership roles at CNA.
Ursula Merten
In memory of Ursula Merten, a cornerstone of our foundation. Forever in our hearts.
Wildfire Analytics, Mitigation & Insurability Solutions
Paul Brady
Head of Wildfire Insights & Mitigation
Paul spent more than 14 years and thousands of hours fighting active wildfires on the frontlines as a wildland “hotshot” firefighter. Before joining Property Guardian, Paul played a key role in expanding AIG’s wildfire mitigation strategies practice, where he was accountable for assessing commercial wildfire exposure within a portfolio of more than $4 billion in total insurable value. Paul is a National Fire Protection Association Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and an International Society of Arboriculture ISA Certified Arborist.
Mike Thayer
Senior Wildfire Mitigation Consultant
Mike is a National Fire Protection Association Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with 13 years of wildland firefighting experience. He served eight years at AIG Private Client Group as a Field Manager and Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, where he provided mitigation solutions to numerous homeowners and conducted wildfire mitigation continuing education training for hundreds of brokers and clients. During this time, Mike also responded to numerous large wildfires, providing mitigation and firefighting actions to help protect millions of dollars in total insurable value.
Brian Bastian
Head of Product
Brian is a seasoned product leader and catastrophe risk management professional with deep expertise in wildfire risk solutions and enterprise SaaS development. As a key driver at Green Shield Risk Solutions, Brian has spearheaded the creation of the Property Guardian platform, delivering cutting-edge tools for superior risk selection, portfolio management, and active loss control. With a foundation built at industry leaders like Guy Carpenter and JLT Re, Brian brings a proven track record of transforming complex risk analytics into actionable insights that enhance resilience and drive value for clients.
Gary Raphael
Head of Business Development
Gary has more than 30 years of experience in executive risk mitigation, loss control and claims with multiple companies including AIG, ACE and Fireman’s Fund. Under Gary’s leadership AIG Private Client Group became the first carrier to introduce proactive wildfire defense and event response to policyholders, an approach since adopted by the industry more broadly.
Douglas Mann
Strategic Alliances & Talent Acquisition
Douglas has spent more than 25 years advising insurance companies on their executive recruiting/talent acquisition strategies and market sector alliances, as well as advancing innovation for reinsurance carriers, brokers, managing general agents (MGAs), and insurtechs.
John Dunn
SVP, Head of Enterprise Sales
John is a veteran sales executive and insurance technology strategist with over 16 years of experience driving growth across the P&C insurance ecosystem. In his role, John leads go-to-market strategy and enterprise client engagement — helping carriers, MGAs, and mutuals navigate emerging climate risk and unlock new capabilities in underwriting and portfolio resilience. Prior to joining Property Guardian, John played a pivotal role in scaling OneShield Software over a decade-long tenure.
Jason Harris
SVP, Channel Partnerships
Jason is a seasoned executive and strategic growth leader with deep expertise in real estate and insurtech. He leads Green Shield’s real estate channel strategy, building relationships with brokerages, MLSs, industry associations, and transaction technology platforms to expand adoption of tools that help solve for property insurability. Jason previously served as CEO of CartoFront, where he led the development of a real-time flood risk platform adopted by leading MLSs and backed by the National Association of Realtors.
Sam Browning
VP, Product Management
Sam is a dynamic product leader with extensive experience in bringing innovative ideas to market. She specializes in developing new growth products, fostering strategic partnerships, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver meaningful solutions. She previously served as a Senior Product Manager at CoreLogic.
OUR VALUES
Values that Matter to Us and to Our Clients
Growth Mindset
Our commitment to getting better every day elevates our collective pursuit of excellence.
Positivity in Action
We champion a positive vibe! Practice mutual respect, humility, and collaboration that sparks innovation.
Own It, Be Bold
Our culture is built on accountability, empowerment, and adaptability. Take ownership and never settle.
Team First Ethos
The team and our shared success come first. If you’re here for you, you’re in the wrong place.
Customer Obsessed
We’re obsessed with delivering exceptional experiences for all our customers. Exceeding expectations is our standard.
Innovate, Never Hesitate
We never say, “We can’t,” — instead we ask, “How could we?” We focus on what’s possible and fuel innovation.
Let’s Connect
Have questions about our insurance solutions or becoming an appointed agent? Reach out — we’d love to hear from you.