In August 2019, Pik West Insurance Agency, LLC combined two aviation groups to provide insurance brokering, risk management, and consulting services to a broad customer base who have aviation and aerospace related operations. Our success is driven by the team’s ability to draw on each individual’s experience and expertise as aviation professionals and use our intelligence, partners, and imagination to provide expert advice and comprehensive and individualized insurance solutions to meet the needs of our clients who rely on us to protect their assets, their people, their resources, and their reputation.
Our team is what differentiates us from other brokerages.
DON GRONDIN
Don Grondin has been in the insurance business for over 40 years and is the founder of Pik*West Insurance Agency. Don began his aviation career in 1974 in Pontiac, Michigan and later moved to Safeco as an insurance claims adjuster. He subsequently moved to California and served as an aviation insurance underwriter, insuring all aspects of general aviation. He is a licensed pilot with his instrument rating. He has served as Vice President and Director of Agents & Brokers for AIA.
PHIL KENNEDY
Phil Kennedy started flight school in 1996. His background flying airplanes and advanced understanding of the FAA, FAR’s, pilot ratings, types of aircraft, and other aspects of aircraft operations have provided an insightful look at various brokering situations. Over the past 13 years, Phil has been involved in the strategic growth of many aviation insurance agencies and has proven that his knowledge of the aviation industry and insurance prowess has gained the respect of the underwriting community and his clients alike.
JESSICA PARKER
Jessica Parker began working in the aviation industry in 2005. Her work with rotor-wing flight schools and high level of understanding of the commercial helicopter industry gives the team an insider’s viewpoint of how to tailor our services in such a way that makes sense from an operator’s position. Insurance broker mindsets tend to be insurance-centric and fail to take into account that their clients are running multi million dollar companies. Jessica’s background is key in avoiding this mentality. Her desire to challenge the status quo and “business as usual” thought process - which ultimately better serves her clients. Jessica current serves as the secretary of HAI’s training committee.
STACEY FIeld
Stacey Field has been in the aviation business for over 12 years. In this time, she has worked on both aviation as well as property and casualty accounts, bringing a holistic look at each operator’s overall insurance and business. She also helps with contract review, contract language, and contract insurance requirement negotiation for clients. In addition, she has obtained her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), and Certified Aviation Insurance Professional (CAIP) designations.
When not working, she’s chasing her two boys around town. In addition, she likes to run to take her mind off of life.
LORA AURAND
Lora Aurand has over 29 years of aviation experience. She’s a graduate of Moorpark College and received her insurance license in 1991. She is currently handling the agency’s renewals for Pleasure and Business accounts.
CHRIS YOUNG
Chris brings decades of aviation experience in commercial helicopter, fixed-wing and OEM operations to the Pik West team of aviation professionals. His safety expertise complements and advances our model of employing individuals with real-world aviation proficiency. Chris will be offering a variety of safety related services to Pik West clients.
Chris was an officer and instructor in the Navy (flying the SH-60B) before working as a Helicopter Air Ambulance pilot and at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in several product safety roles. Chris has spent many years implementing risk management solutions within the aviation industry and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS) and participates in the HAI Safety Working Group, the US Helicopter Safety Team and the CAMTS Aviation & Safety Advisory Committee.
HALEY PEEK
Haley has worked in the aviation industry since 2016. She got her start with drones and Pleasure and Business accounts and quickly progressed to Flight Schools, Charter Operations, and Electric Aircraft. During this time, Haley has been instrumental in aiding in the growth of her clients’ businesses and helping them navigate the aviation insurance niche. Her top priority is to have a deep understanding of her clients’ organizations to predict their needs and work together with underwriters to develop solutions.