TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of Steven F. Herrig to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) Board of Directors, representing casualty insurers. This past legislative session, CFO Patronis submitted many reforms to the Legislature regarding the efficiency with which NICA fulfills its obligations to provide medical care to children with the NICA program. As a result, the Legislature passed SB 1786, which became law July 1, 2021, 766.315(1), Florida Statutes. Additionally, the new law made changes to the board of directors, increasing the board from five to seven members with qualifying attributes. Mr. Herrig’s term is effective immediately and expires August 31, 2023.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “As CFO, I am committed to improving the lives of the kids and families in the NICA program and ensuring they receive the service and benefits they deserve. That is why I am pleased to appoint Steven F. Herrig to the NICA Board of Directors. Mr. Herrig’s background and expertise will be a tremendous asset, and he will bring a fresh perspective to ensure that NICA is putting the overall well-being of these families and children first. I will continue to appoint board members who will never waiver in supporting these children. These families will forever deal with challenges, but thanks to Governor DeSantis, President Simpson, Speaker Sprowls, Senator Burgess, and Representative Koster, they will get more relief and support that they so badly deserve. I sincerely appreciate Mr. Herrig’s willingness to serve the state of Florida and the families who participate in the NICA program.”

Herrig is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of SUNZ Insurance Company, Inc., where he is responsible for the vision and overall performance of SUNZ. As Director and advocate of SUNZ, he serves as a direct liaison between the Board and management of the company and communicates to the Board on behalf of management. In 1999, Herrig founded Progressive Employer Services, LLC and served as Chief Executive Officer during his tenure. Before starting Progressive, he worked in the insurance industry for 16 years and was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elite Agency Services and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Advantage Insurance Agency, which was merged into Connell & Herrig in 1991. He eventually sold this company to focus on growing Progressive. Herrig earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque in 1983.