Leadership Team
Edward Kelly founded SMP Consulting Group and for more than four decades, SMP and its affiliates have provided insurance consulting, risk management, loss control services, and strategic marketing programs to businesses across the United States. Under Ed’s leadership, SMP Consulting Group and the Working Partners Network grew into leading providers of innovative cost-containment solutions for business and industry. Over the past 45 years, Ed has developed long-standing relationships with numerous Fortune 1000 companies throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, advising senior leadership on complex insurance and risk-management challenges. Ed began his career as Vice President of Program Development with Reed, Roberts in Garden City, New York, one of the nation’s largest unemployment insurance consulting firms. In this role, he designed and implemented cost-containment programs for major national organizations including Federated Department Stores, Burger King, Union Carbide, and other Fortune 500 companies. During the Clinton administration, Ed worked in Washington, D.C. as a healthcare lobbyist representing Hospital Corporation of America, Humana, and Universal Healthcare.
Ed holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from New York Institute of Technology and an MBA from New York University. In addition to operating SMP, he serves on the Board of Directors of American Society of Workers’ Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP), an international organization dedicated to professional excellence in workers’ compensation. In 2011, Ed was appointed to the Suffolk County Economic Advisory Council, where he helped develop strategies to promote job creation and economic growth in Suffolk County, New York. Suffolk County is one of the largest counties in the United States with a population of over 1.5 million and an annual budget of over 2.5 billion dollars. In 2012, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Committee for Cost Effective Government. Ed was appointed as Treasurer in 2021. Married for over 50 years, Ed and his wife Diane split their time between New York and Florida. They have two sons, Edward and Brian.
Brian C. Kelly
Partner & COO
(631) 647-9210 ext. 305
[email protected]
Brian has played a central role in the growth and long-term success of SMP for more than two decades. Through innovative cost-containment strategies and disciplined execution, his work has helped clients recover and retain millions of dollars in workers’ compensation premium savings. Over the course of his career, Brian has developed trusted relationships with numerous Fortune 1000 companies, advising senior leadership on cost-control initiatives. In addition to leading client strategy and consulting initiatives, Brian oversees partner acquisition and long-term partner relationships nationwide.
Earlier in his career, Brian worked for a well-known Manhattan-based investment banking firm, where he developed a strong foundation in capital markets and client advisory services. He holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses, as well as a Property and Casualty Insurance license, giving him a rare blend of finance and insurance expertise.
Brian is an active member of the American Society of Workers’ Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP) and the Center for Cost Effective Government.
He previously served as Chairman of Suffolk County’s jurisdiction of the New York State Reform Party, a leading moderate and centrist political party that fights for the American economy and middle class by supporting common-sense economic policies that bring jobs back to the United States. Brian’s responsibilities included candidate screening and selection. During his tenure, Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, served as New York State Reform Party Chair.
Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Dowling College and resides on Long Island.
Gary Sandford
VP, Premium Auditing
(631) 647-9210 ext. 312
[email protected]
Mr. Sandford was the former Chief Auditor and Vice President of Administration and Finance of the New York State Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB), where he ran a one hundred and twenty-person auditing department. His understanding of complex regulation, payroll, and modification codes will provide our clients greater visibility into their workers’ compensation premiums. During his 34 year career at the New York State Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB), Gary rose to become Chief Auditor. All workers compensation insurers must provide workers compensation statistics to the NYCIRB, which compiles and evaluates data and proposes rate changes that are subject to approval.
Scott Priz
VP, Premium Auditing
(631) 647-9210 Ext 321
[email protected]
Scott has worked as an insurance consultant and expert in the field of Workers Compensation since 2003. Scott is an attorney specializing in Workers Comp Law and Regulation. He has worked for both policyholders and insurance carriers as a consultant in the field of workers’ compensation. He has worked a court-appointed damage calculator and has testified on the subject of Workers Compensation premium.
Scott has an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago in political science and law. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the John Marshall Law School of Chicago. In Law School, he received Cali Awards (highest grade honors) in Contracts I, Contracts II, Civil Procedure II, Constitutional Law I, and Constitutional Law II. He also served on the John Marshall Law Review as the Managing Editor from 2016-2017.
Mark Serri
VP, Business Development
(631) 647-9210 ext. 303
[email protected]
Mark attended Stony Brook University and went on to a 30-year career as a Gold Futures Trader, starting out as a clerk and eventually became a seat owner. While at the exchange he served on the Business Conduct Committee as well as the Floor Committee and Settlement committee. He has a passion for finance and economics and he also obtained his Life and Health license in 2014. Mark has traveled extensively throughout the United States and in his spare time enjoys cycling, playing the drums as well as cooking. He has two daughters and currently resides on Long Island.
Jennifer Schillaci
Director, Client Services
(631) 647-9210 ext. 310
[email protected]
With over 20 years of expertise in customer service, sales, and team leadership, Jennifer brings a proven record of driving results in high-volume, high-pressure environments.
Jennifer’s career began at Verizon Communications, where she spent nearly two decades advancing from Customer Service Associate to Team Leader to Facilitations Manager where she was responsible for overseeing a collective team in excess of 180 employees. Jennifer’s focus was on quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Known for coaching, labor relations expertise, and sales achievements, Jennifer’s proven ability to develop, motivate, and guide high-performance teams to meet productivity and financial goals.
Jennifer is dedicated to delivering operational excellence and fostering a collaborative environment that supports both team and business objectives.
Rick Morris
VP, Audit Operations
Richard “Rick” Morris is a seasoned financial services executive with over 35 years of experience in collection and data management. After graduating from Adelphi University in New York with a BA degree in Business Administration, he joined the United States Air Force. Designated as an administrative specialist, he served for four years leaving the military to pursue a career in the business community. Early on, Mr. Morris joined Payco Financial Systems as a regional manager rapidly growing within the ranks. After 12 years, he moved on to become the Executive Director-Collections for The Suffolk County Medical Society of New York. With a nine-year tenure, he moved on to become Chief Operations Officer for Ram Investigations of New York.
In 2016, Rick joined the team at SMP CompWize to supervise the management and security of data in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the audit/recovery departments. An avid golfer, Rick enjoys splitting his leisure time between golf and fishing on Long Island where he currently resides.
David Desimone
Michelle Henderson
Todd Spencer
Greg Walker
Senior Advisor
Greg’s background includes over twenty years of experience in banking and investing including The CIT Group, Wells Fargo, and Silver Point Capital. His focus is on business planning, resource management, and corporate direction. Mr. Walker is a New York member of the Association for Corporate Growth, a member and a past speaker at the Turnaround Management Association annual panel discussion, an invited guest at the American Bankruptcy Institute Conference discussion table, and various board memberships. He is a graduate of The Bernard Baruch College and resides on Long Island with his wife of twenty-five years and two children.
David Patterson
Senior Advisor
David has spent the majority of his 35-year career as a senior insurance company executive, developing and expanding specialty underwriting and distribution businesses. He was one of three principals in the 1986-leveraged acquisition of the Providence Washington Insurance Group, where he developed a successful specialty underwriting business in a unique joint venture format with specialty program managers. He subsequently led the restructuring of the employee benefits and specialty property-casualty business at Allmerica (now the Hanover Group) and for the last five years has been responsible for one of the operating businesses at Alliant Insurance Services, a top US broker. David is a member of the Casualty Actuarial Society and the American Academy of Actuaries.
