Preferred Mutual Insurance Company recently announced several key promotions within the company’s management team. JEFF LOPATA is executive VP and chief strategy officer. He joined the firm in 2005. Lopata has been instrumental in developing and driving enterprise digital, project management, and operational strategy. JENIFER RINEHART, executive VP and chief human resources officer, joined Preferred Mutual in 2017 and has more than 20 years in the insurance industry and over 30 years in human resources. MICHELE GRAHAM, senior VP of strategic services, joined Preferred Mutual in 2004. TIM HYLE, senior VP, chief financial officer, and treasurer, joined Preferred Mutual in 2008. RAY MULLER, senior VP and chief actuary and data analytics, joined Preferred Mutual in 2018, bringing more than 30 years of actuarial expertise to the company. DAVE SMITH, senior VP of technology, has been with Preferred Mutual in 2010. ERNIE WEEKS, senior VP of underwriting and sales, joined Preferred Mutual in 2015, bringing over 35 years of insurance industry experience in both underwriting and sales

IAN S. LUDD has joined the business department of Mackenzie Hughes LLP, where his practice will focus on business, litigation, mergers & acquisitions, regulatory compliance, as well as public law and policy. He graduated with both a juris doctor degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. 

KELSEY NOBIS has joined the Manlius YMCA as senior program director. She grew up in the Tri-Valley Y and YMCA Camp Gorham, and then joined the Greater Syracuse association at age 16, working in a variety of departments at the Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA in Fayetteville. Nobis graduated from Springfield College, majoring in youth development and YMCA professional studies. She also held an officer position in the YClub. Her volunteer work and senior thesis project both focused on serving at-risk youth and victims of domestic violence. In 2017, Nobis graduated from Vermont Law School with her juris doctor degree.