Our Team

Our solutions-oriented team of experienced professionals has walked in your shoes.

 

How Can We Help

 

 

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Lisa Cooper

President

Lisa has been in the financial institution and real estate investment segments of risk management since 1985. She is a licensed insurance agent for both admitted and surplus lines business in 40+ states and has achieved and maintained her CIC credentials demonstrating her commitment to excellence in this demanding industry. Lisa developed a relationship with Lloyd’s, London that has led to tribunalization of two different agencies enabling binding authority status.

Lisa has strong expertise in underwriting and managing coastal risk. Lisa resides in Florida and enjoys the beach and other activities that the warm weather brings


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Greg Shimkus

Co-Owner & President Unitas Specialty Division, Board Member

Greg’s professional experience includes leadership positions in Technology, TPA Operations, and Strategic Business Development for privately held specialty insurance agencies and Fortune 500 global enterprises. With a career focus on financial institution(FI) risk, Greg has designed and implemented risk transfer programs aligning community banks and credit unions, captive finance companies and top-100 commercial banks with major domestic and foreign program underwriters. Greg's extensive network of relationships across corporate America, and throughout the domestic and foreign Insurance marketplaces brings a unique set of talents to Unitas.


Gary Criscillis

Chief Strategy Officer

For the last 29 years, Gary has served as President of Lenders Service Corporation (LSC). LSC joined Unitas Financial Services in early 2021. Gary holds licenses across multiple states in Property, Casualty, Credit, and Surplus Lines insurance, in addition to his designation as a Managing General Agent (MGA). Gary has directed all aspects of agency operations including marketing, underwriting, carrier relations, and claims administration. Gary was nominated to serve as President of the Association of Financial Insurance Brokers (AFIB) in 2018. He continues to lead the agency’s customer-focused initiatives on a daily basis.


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Brian Barnett

EVP, Customer Success

Brian currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Customer Success. Brian joined Unitas Financial Services in April 2002, with over 15 years of financial institution experience. After graduation from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, he married his wife of 28 years and resides on their third-generation family farm with his two sons. Brian adopted the company motto of “Great Programs with an Attitude of Service” when he joined the company and still believes and practices this motto with every client contact today.


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Tod Hastings

EVP, National Sales

Tod began his Unitas Financial Services career in 2009 as an agent. He currently oversees national sales efforts while also servicing customers in Ohio, Indiana, and Florida. After graduating with a B.S. in Business from Miami University in 1989, Tod has spent the past 31 years in the lending and financial services industries in various leadership and sales roles. His experience includes management positions with Wells Fargo Financial, Option One Mortgage, John Deere Credit, and Chase Home Lending. Tod makes his home in Johnstown, Ohio, with his wife and two sons. Tod enjoys playing golf in his spare time and rooting for The Ohio State Buckeyes.


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Brian Ruhe

SVP, Regional Business Development

Having joined Unitas Financial Services in November 2017, Brian serves as a Senior Vice President of Regional Business Development. Brian is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a B.S. in Allied Medicine. For the last 15 years, he has gained experience in various aspects of sales and business management, including time in mortgage banking and credit consulting. He understands the lending challenges that community banks and credit unions face across the landscape of this great nation and is motivated to offer them solutions to improve their overall strength. He and his wife cherish the daily challenges and delights in raising their four young daughters, life is certainly busy.

 


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Allen Moss

VP, Regional Business Development

Allen joined the Unitas Financial Services team in October of 2019 as a Vice President of Regional Business Development. Allen is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a major in Mathematics. After graduating from West Point, Allen spent time at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as an Infantry Officer. Following that assignment, Allen was selected to join the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as the Reconnaissance Company Operations Officer. Allen currently resides in Colorado Springs, CO and enjoys traveling, the outdoors, sports, and reading.


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Blaine Moricle

VP, Regional Business Development

Blaine joined Unitas Financial Services in January of 2020. After graduating from Elon University, Blaine has spent his professional career in the consumer and mortgage lending industries in various sales and leadership roles. During this time, he has worked with lenders of all sizes in growing their loan portfolios, generating fee income, and transferring risk from their balance sheets. Blaine is a native North Carolinian and currently resides in Summerfield, North Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife and two kids.


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Matt Moore

VP, Regional Business Development

A Graduate from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy, Matt has a knack for understanding the effects of an ever-changing regulatory environment on Financial Institutions and advising clients on the best practices for ensuring their lending portfolios are matched with the proper insurance coverage. Prior to joining Unitas Financial Services, Matt was the VP and Director of  Business Development at Lenders Service Corporation. Matt was previously employed by Discover Financial Services and Sullivan University. Matt was raised in Oldham County, KY, where he currently resides with his wife and two sons. Matt is a devoted follower of Jesus. Outside of work, he enjoys playing the drums and mentoring young men in the High School Ministry at Northeast Christian Church.


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John Watt

Investor Product Manager & VP Investor Business Development

John Watt, Investor Product Manager & VP Investor Business Development, began his insurance career in 1985. John has a wide range of insurance coverage knowledge and the technical expertise to join the needs of the client together with the very best options available in an ever-changing marketplace. He has developed numerous insurance programs including Real Estate Investors, Property Managers, Aggregators, Self-Storage Warehouses, Commercial & Office Warehouses, Apartment Complexes. Virtually any type of income-producing Real Estate based portfolio. John’s passion is to first understand the needs and desires of the client. Second, develop a custom-tailored program of insurance that meets or exceeds the goals of the client while satisfying the requirements of the lender or other 3rd party interest. In other words, “The most comprehensive program of insurance at the best possible cost.”