JEFF KUSS

President

Jeff Kuss joined Brentwood in July of 2024 as President, following a successful tenure as Chief Claims Officer for Employers. With over 25 years of senior leadership experience in the workers’ compensation insurance industry, Jeff Kuss aims to leverage his knowledge of claims administration to develop operational efficiencies and further support the quality of claims administration provided by Brentwood.

For the past year, Jeff has also served as President of Next Level Administrators (NLA), a full-service workers’ compensation claims and program administration firm that is part of the Acrisure network. Jeff is responsible for overseeing all facets of Brentwood’s operations, building strategic initiatives, and continuing to strengthen relationships with clients and industry partners. Jeff’s extensive knowledge of claims management spans the nation, with a focus on the states of California and Florida. Amidst Brentwood’s continual growth, Jeff aims to scale operations effectively by implementing best practices and leveraging technology.

COLLETTE MANGOLD

Executive Vice President, Operations
Designation: CPA

Collette joined Brentwood Services, Inc. in 2008 and assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer in 2016. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations in 2022.

Collette has fiscal management responsibility for the companies within the Brentwood Services group. These responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, coordination of outside exams and audits for clients. In addition to corporate financial oversight, Collette oversees general and statutory accounting services for insurance companies and self-insured group clients. Collette oversees all operational activities of our TPA and her knowledge is invaluable for strategic planning initiatives.

Prior to joining Brentwood Services, Collette held key financial management positions including Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for a western states worker’s compensation TPA and Treasurer and Controller of its affiliated P&C insurance companies. Collette graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University. She currently volunteers for the Insurance Accounting and System Association, a non-profit education association that strives to enhance the knowledge of insurance professionals as the Director of Career Skills Development.

JOHN SMITHERMAN

Executive Vice President
Designations: CPCU, AIC, ARM

John is Brentwood’s longest-tenured employee, beginning his career with the company in 1992 working as an adjuster, supervisor and regional claim director. John’s career path changed direction in 2004, when he began marketing and selling TPA services, as well as excess and large deductible insurance. John has been instrumental in assisting Brentwood in its growth by developing and securing many high-profile clients while enhancing Brentwood’s reputation throughout the marketplace. As a result of his success, John was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales in 2015 and has been responsible for leading the sales team, client retention, business development initiatives and marketing. John was again promoted to Executive Vice President in 2022. His claims experience is invaluable in demonstrating to clients and prospective clients the capabilities and wide array of services offered by Brentwood.

John is a 1989 graduate of David Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics. John earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in October of 2002, a professional insurance designation awarded by the American Institute for CPCU, an independent, nonprofit educational organization. He earned his Associate in Claims (AIC) designation, given by the Insurance Institute of America, in July of 2001, and his Associate in Risk Management Designation (ARM) in February 2011. John obtained his Agents License in January 1997.

ROSE DeLEON

Vice President, Western & Eastern Region
Designations: WCCA, WCCP, SIP

Rose De Leon resides in California and is a highly seasoned workers’ compensation claims professional with certifications including, WCCA, WCCP, SIP and is a Certified Paralegal. Her career began as a receptionist in 1987. Over the next 3 years, she worked on the applicant side and in 1991 she switched over to the defense side at Murphy & Beane Law Firm and TPA. Rose continued to gain experience and work her way up the company. She wanted to understand the integration of claims and legal to better communicate and bridge the gaps between them.

Rose De Leon came to the United States from Guatemala at the age of 3 and became a U.S. citizen when she was 18. It was always her dream to own a business, especially a TPA. Her hard work paid off and she became the President of Murphy & Beane TPA in October of 2021. 

In 2023, Murphy & Beane TPA merged into one company with Brentwood Services Administrators. Under Brentwood, Rose has stepped into the role of Vice President of Western & Eastern Region.

KAY KATUBIG-GOGA

Director of Information Technology
Designation: MBA

Kay has been a vital employee with Brentwood since 2018. She is based in our St. Louis office and holds over 20 years of claims experience. Kay graduated with a business degree from St. Louis University, and then achieved her Master’s in business administration from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO.

Kay’s experience in the insurance industry offers the business acumen to bridge the gap between claims and information technology. Kay currently leads a team of IT professionals and promotes cybersecurity for Brentwood’s clients and staff. She has made a huge impact on Brentwood’s reporting and supervises the development team, ensures smooth client transitions and oversees our claim system and security.

As a result of her expertise and work ethic, Kay was promoted to Director of Information Technology in September 2022. Kay has overall responsibility for all of Brentwood’s IT operations.

DAWN WILSON

Vice President of Brentwood Services Administrators, Executive Vice President of BrentRe 

Dawn joined Brentwood Services, Inc. in 1994 and brings her 35 years of experience to the insurance, reinsurance, and underwriting operations. Building on her wide range of experience Dawn manages the insurance brokerage and reinsurance operations for BrentRe working with a broad range of clients. These include association programs, insurance companies, including captives and commercial accounts who utilize self-insurance, large deductible insurance and alternative risk financing programs. Dawn also oversees the underwriting team dedicated to a mutual insurance client and the loss control team for the company.

Dawn came to Brentwood from a prominent Nashville insurance agency and began her career with USF&G insurance company. In addition to the Chartered Property & Casualty (CPCU) and Associate in Underwriting (AU) designations awarded by the Insurance Institute of America, Dawn holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI) designations. Dawn is a licensed insurance agent for property, casualty, life, accident and health lines.

CHRISTOPHER IVEY

Corporate Counsel

Brentwood Services gained Christopher’s legal expertise as a result of Brentwood’s acquisition by Acrisure in July 2022. Christopher (Chris) has served as the legal counsel for Appalachian Underwriters, also an Acrisure company, since 2018. Chris is responsible for providing in-house legal services, and monitoring all contracts and regulatory efforts. Chris will ensure that Brentwood remains in compliance with all client provisions, and he excels at responsive, clear, and collaborative communication.

Chris brings more than eight years of legal experience as a practicing attorney since earning his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to joining Appalachian Underwriters as Corporate Counsel, Chris worked at an insurance defense law firm and for the State of Tennessee in legal risk management. His varied legal experience is a valuable asset for Brentwood’s workers’ compensation, property, and casualty legal matters.