Leadership Team

Andrew O'Brien
Executive Chairman of the Board

Andy began his insurance career at the E.W. Blanch Company in 1977 where he ultimately served as a General Partner, Executive Vice President and director. He has also served as a director of the Health Care Insurance Facility, First Dakota Indemnity Company and SAFE, Inc. (holding company for an accident/health insurer). He currently serves as a director and as Executive Chairman of the board of Trean Insurance Group. He holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a CPCU designation.

Julie A. Baron
Chief Executive Officer

Julie is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Trean. Previously, Julie served as the Chief Operating Officer for Trean Insurance Group, the Controller for Benchmark Insurance Company, and as the Chief Financial Officer of Trean. Prior to joining Trean, Julie was the controller for a mortgage broker and title company in the Twin Cities. She is a CPA (inactive) and earned a B.S. in Accounting from Arizona State University.

Nicholas J. Vassallo
Chief Financial Officer

Nicholas is the Chief Financial Officer and has previously served as Chief Accounting Officer beginning in May 2020. Prior to joining Trean, Mr. Vassallo served as Chief Accounting Officer for iMedia Brands, Inc. from May 2018 to October 2019 and as Senior Vice President – Corporate Controller since October 2015 and Vice President-Corporate Controller since 2001, having first joined iMedia Brands, Inc. as director of financial reporting in October 1996. Nicholas began his career with Arthur Anderson LLP, where he spent eight years in its audit practice group. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from St. John’s University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Kyle Plath
Senior Vice President

Direct: 952-974-2221 | Email: kyle.plath@trean.com

Kyle began his reinsurance career at the E.W. Blanch Company and joined Trean in 1996. He leads Trean’s activities in the accident/health field, serves on Trean Re’s board of directors and holds designations as a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe). Kyle earned a B.A. (Summa Cum Laude) in Business Management and Political Science at Hamline University.

Brad Schmitz
Senior Vice President

Brad has over 20 years of experience in the reinsurance industry. As a broker for Trean Re, he focuses on all property and casualty lines. Brad has extensive experience in building relationships for all types of insurance vehicles including Carriers, Pools, Captives, RRGs and Trusts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and Accounting from the Mankato State University and holds an Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designation.

Elisabeth Rosandich
Senior Vice President

Elisabeth is the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Program Services for Trean Corporation. She oversees Trean’s program business unit. Prior to joining Trean, she worked in a variety of positions at Berkley Risk Administrators in the areas of underwriting, program administration and claims. Prior to Berkley, Elisabeth gained reinsurance experience working at Aon Benfield. She earned a master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration from Metropolitan State University and a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota.

Patricia A. Ryan
Chief Legal Officer

Patty is the Chief Legal Officer of Trean. Prior to joining Trean, Patty served as Chief Legal Officer and Head of Employee Engagement for HDI Global Insurance Company. Ms. Ryan also served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of American Overseas Group, a Bermuda domiciled insurance holding company, as well as an Officer and Director of its operating subsidiaries. She has held senior positions in the legal departments at Allianz and QBE the Americas. Ms. Ryan began her career at Cassiday Schade LLP, where she was a partner, and practiced in the areas of insurance and reinsurance. She holds a BA in Economics and History from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign, and a JD from Loyola University of Chicago.