The Starwind Associations Team

Sim Bridges Leadership Image

Sim Bridges

CPCU, CPL, ANFI

sim.bridges@starwindins.com 904.395.5912

President + Chief Underwriting Officer

Sim Bridges has been a valuable member of the Starwind Community Associations team since joining in 2009. Sim is an expert in community associations by having well over 15 years of experience underwriting these classes of business. Sim began as a production underwriter developing relationships with the retail partners of Starwind Community Associations and developed into an underwriting manager as support to the Starwind Community Associations underwriting team.

Sim was promoted to the Chief Underwriting Office of the company in 2023 and then later that year was named one of the Presidents of the company. Our agency partners enjoy working with Sim as he brings creative solutions for their individual insureds. Now as president of Starwind Community Associations, Sim is working with our carrier partners to use that creativity to bring new product into new territories and expand our product offerings to our existing brokers.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance Emphasis in Risk Management, Georgia Southern University
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Certified Programs Leader (CPL)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • General Lines Agent License
Kimberly Bushong Petrillo Leadership Image

Kimberly Bushong Petrillo

MSIM, CPCU, ARe, CPL, ANFI, ASLI, AU-M, AIDA

kim.petrillo@starwindins.com 904.834.4754

President + Chief Underwriting Officer

Kim is President and Chief Operating Officer. She focuses on business development, sales and marketing, building partnerships with their carriers/ reinsurers and retail agents, program implementation, and identifying business system enhancement opportunities.

She joined Starwind Community Associations in 2012. She began her insurance career as a commercial underwriter later focused on creating insurance products and program implementation. Kim is a graduate of Florida State University and completed dual degrees in Finance and Risk Management & Insurance. She also holds a master’s in science in Insurance Management from Boston University.

In 2017, Kim was named one of Insurance Business America's "Top 125 Elite Women of the Insurance Industry". Kim’s dedication to excellence and leadership is integral to driving Starwind Community Associations’s mission and future success.

Education / Designations
  • Master of Science in Insurance Managment (MSIM), Boston University
  • Bachelor of Science in Risk Management and Insurance, Florida State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Finance, Florida State University
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Associate in Commercial Underwriting- Management (AU-M)
  • Associate in Reinsurance (ARe)
  • Certified Programs Leader (CPL)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI)
  • Associate in Insurance Data Analytics (AIDA)
  • General Lines Agent License
  • Surplus Lines Agent License
Michele T. Ortiz Leadership Image

Michele T. Ortiz

CPCU, CIC, ASLI, PBP, AU-M, API, ANFI

michele.ortiz@starwindins.com 904.834.4747

Director of Training and Development/Office Administrator

Michele is second generation insurance (her mother is also a CPCU) and started her career in the insurance industry when she was 18. She has worked in insurance agencies, a carrier, and now a program manager which has provided her with a wholistic view of the industry, having seen it from all angles. Michele joined Starwind Community Associations in 2013.

Michele has experience both commercial lines as well as personal lines and has technical knowledge in both. Her key talents include a training prowess which proves very helpful to our agency force, as she can very easily and clearly communicate our products and use of our website tools.

Michele is also an instructor for The National Alliance and is a CE-Licensed instructor in all 50 states.

Education / Designations
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
  • Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI)
  • Program Business Professional (PBP)
  • Associate in Commercial Underwriting - Management (AU-M)
  • Associate in Personal Insurance (API)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • General Lines Agent License
  • Life and Health Agent’s License
  • The National Alliance- faculty member
  • Licensed CE instructor in all 50 states
Alison C. Strother Leadership Image

Alison C. Strother

CPCU, ARM, ANFI, AU, AINS, ASLI

alison.strother@starwindins.com 904.834.4753

Director of Underwriting/Commercial

Alison Strother joined Starwind Community Associations in 2014 and has over 30 years experience in the insurance industry, encompassing a variety of products and responsibilities. She has worked with a wide-range of small to large premium accounts. Some of Alison’s strengths include risk analysis, agency relationship skills, multi-tasking, and quickly assimilating new products and coverages. Alison has her AU, ASLI, ARM and CPCU designations among others.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science- University of North Florida
  • Bachelor of Arts, History- University of North Florida
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI)
  • Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU)
  • Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • General Lines Agent License
John Cotton Leadership Image

John Cotton

CIC, CRM, ANFI

john.cotton@starwindins.com 904.442.2955

Underwriting Vice President

John earned his Risk Management degree from Florida State University in 2002 and has since gained experience both in retail insurance sales and underwriting/marketing operations on the Program Administrator side.

John joined the Starwind Community Associations team in 2010 and works with our retail agent principals on strengthening Agency relations and with our carrier partners to build strong, lasting relationships. He is regularly looking for opportunities for Starwind Community Associations to improve their distribution model and training new Agency partners on our products, underwriting appetite and workflow.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Science in Risk Management & Insurance, Florida State University
  • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
  • Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • General Lines Agent License
Nicholas A. Sanzotta Leadership Image

Nicholas A. Sanzotta

AINS, AIS, ANFI

nick.sanzotta@starwindins.com 904.395.5910

Commercial Underwriter

Nick has over 17 years experience working with commercial insurance as an underwriter. His background includes a variety of coverages from property, liability, inland marine, auto, umbrella, crime and professional. Nick also has experience collaborating with agents on renewals to help maintain retention for both the agent and the company.

He joined Starwind Community Associations in 2015 and his underwriting experience has proven to be a great asset to Starwind Community Associations and we are pleased to have him on our team, helping to provide high quality resources for your agency needs.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Science In Business Administration, Kent State University
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • General Lines Agent License
Scott R. Ancil Leadership Image

Scott R. Ancil

CPCU, API, AIS, AINS, ANFI

scott.ancil@starwindins.com 904.395.5913

Commercial Underwriter

Scott joined Starwind Community Associations in 2017 and has over 20 years experience working in the insurance industry. Since most of Scott’s experience is at the carrier level, his understanding and perspective for growth and loss trends gives him a healthy understanding of risk and what it takes to write profitable business for both Starwind Community Associations and the agent. Some of Scott’s keen skills include analysis, compliance management, agency relationship building, vendor systems, and state regulations and forms knowledge.

Education / Designations
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Associates in Personal Insurance (API)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Associates in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • General Lines Agent License
Alexandra Underwood Leadership Image

Alexandra Underwood

AINS, CPCU, ANFI, ARM

alex.underwood@starwindins.com 904.395.5911

Commercial Underwriter

Alex started her career with Starwind Community Associations in 2018 by interning in the summer while still completing her degree. Using the skills gained through studying quantitative economics, Alex has proved a great asset in contributing to our predictive analytics tools. A high level of attention to detail and ability to track trending, sets Alex on her path to successful underwriting of our niche business. Alex is also skilled at using a statistical cube to analyze our internal loss triangles and historical loss experience to gain useful insight.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics, Miami University Oxford, OH
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
  • Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • General Lines Agent License
Marianne Chance Leadership Image

Marianne Chance

CPCU, ARe, CIC, AINS, AIS, API, CPRIA

marianne.chance@starwindins.com 904.395.5815

Commercial Underwriter

Marianne started her insurance career in 2003 and joined Starwind Community Associations in 2023. Although Marianne’s specialty has mainly been in the Personal Lines insurance arena, she has honed a wealth of skills relating to supervising, underwriting, training, auditing, rating, agency management and program development. You will find that working with Marianne lends itself to easy conversation, intentional feedback, well researched findings, and studied analysis.

Marianne also values furthering her education and staying on top of industry trends, as you can see from her designation and accreditations listing below. Marianne brings another Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation to our well qualified team here at Starwind Community Associations.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Arts, Economics and International Relations, Boston University
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
  • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
  • Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor (CPRIA)
  • Associate in Reinsurance (ARe)
  • Associate in Personal Insurance (API)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • General Lines Agent License
Veonca Delancy Leadership Image

Veonca Delancy

veonca.delancy@starwindins.com 904.799.2718

Commercial Underwriter

Veonca began her insurance career in 2000. With 24 years of expertise, she has managed high-value accounts and agency operations. She has a proven track record overseeing a book of business exceeding $50 million, with a specialization in condominiums and homeowners’ association portfolios. Veonca is skilled in client relationship management, strategic growth, and delivering tailored solutions to meet the complex needs of commercial clients.

Having worked as an agent for 24 years, Veonca brings a deep understanding of what agents need to succeed and effectively support their clients. She has experience in managing and training teams of diverse skill levels, ensuring top performance within the commercial insurance sector. Currently pursuing continuing education, she stays updated with industry best practices, demonstrating a commitment to both professional growth and exceptional service.

Education / Designations
  • General Lines Agent License
Denyel Wohlfehrt Leadership Image

Denyel Wohlfehrt

denyel.wohlfehrt@starwindins.com 904.428.0633

Commercial Underwriter

Denyel started in the insurance industry in 2004 as a CSR and eventually moved to the role of agent for personal lines accounts. In 2012 she transitioned to personal lines underwriting where she worked with her agencies/agents to grow their personal lines book. She also developed and rolled out a self inspection program and worked on automating the underwriting process.

Denyel has recently transitioned to commercial lines at Starwind Community Associations and is excited for the opportunity to work with our agents. She is in the process of starting her journey towards earning her CPCU designation.

Education / Designations
  • General Lines Agent License
Bresch Kilday Leadership Image

Bresch Kilday

bresch.kilday@starwindins.com 904.563.3177

Director of Business Development

Bresch joined the Starwind team in October 2025 as the Director of Business Development. She comes to us with more than 20 years of experience in commercial Insurance. Her passion for connecting people with the solutions they need, coupled with her clear, strategic approach, has guided her professional path.

Bresch leads business development and product distribution with a disciplined, results-driven approach. Her career reflects a deep understanding of market dynamics, carrier relationships and agency partner needs, enabling her to design and deliver programs that strengthen growth and profitability. She is committed to advancing innovative solutions, elevating client outcomes and shaping long-term strategic partnerships within the industry.

Bresch is a licensed Surplus Lines broker and serves as Treasurer on the Florida Surplus Lines Association Board of Directors.

Education / Designations
  • General Lines License
  • Surplus Lines License
Heidi Gruber Leadership Image

Heidi Gruber

heidi.gruber@starwindins.com 904.567.3972

Lead Underwriting Assistant

Heidi has been working with Starwind Community Associations since 2010. Heidi is extremely efficient in her processing skills and document delivery. Heidi has a tremendous eye for detail and workflow. Heidi is very dedicated to providing our agents with quality and timeliness.

Education / Designations
  • Bachelor of Applied Science-Consumer Studies, University of Guelph
  • General Lines Agent License
Anita (Toni) Robbins Leadership Image

Anita (Toni) Robbins

CPIW, AIS, AINS, AU

toni.robbins@starwindins.com 904.395.5914

Underwriting Assistant

Toni has a diverse background on both the carrier side and the agency side of the house, over the course of her 40+ years of experience. She has years of experience with claims, marketing, account management, and renewal underwriting.

She joined the Starwind Community Associations team in 2009. Our agents prize Toni for her generous and attentive helpfulness.

Education / Designations
  • Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU)
  • Certified Professional Insurance Woman (CPIW)
  • Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • General Lines Agent License

OUR OFFICE

P.O. Box 3140 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32004 (904) 285-7683