Leadership

PhiloSmith is led by James Amen, James Inglis, Francis "Skip" Hagerty, Michele O'Grady, and David Salmon who bring substantial investment banking and investment management experience to the firm.

James Amen Photo

James Amen

Managing Director & Partner

Mr. Amen manages the firm’s investment management and corporate finance businesses. He has counseled insurance clients in strategic transactions, capital funding needs, and long-range planning, specializing in financial analysis, valuation, and mergers and acquisitions. He has sourced and executed over 100 transactions for clients.

Prior to joining PhiloSmith in 1988, Mr. Amen was in the Financial Services Group at Bear Stearns & Co. He began his career at AT&T Corp. in finance and marketing. Mr. Amen received a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from the State University of New York and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

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Francis “Skip” Hagerty photo

Francis “Skip” Hagerty

Managing Director & Partner

Skip began his career at PhiloSmith in 1998 and became a Partner in 2005. Prior to joining PhiloSmith, Skip held a variety of management positions both domestically and internationally at G.E. Capital and as a summer associate at Credit Suisse First Boston. During his time at PhiloSmith, Skip has either led or assisted the negotiation and consummation of over 100 merger/acquisition transactions. These transactions have ranged from $100+ million property casualty insurance companies to $5 million insurance agency/broker transactions. Skip is also a very experienced advisor for mutual insurance company affiliations and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer on the topic of Insurance Industry M&A.

Skip graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Skip currently maintains the Series 7, 79 and 63 FINRA Registrations through PhiloSmith Securities, LLC the affiliated FINRA registered Broker/Dealer of PhiloSmith Capital Corporation. Check the background of PhiloSmith Securities, LLC or one of its registered professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

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James Inglis

Managing Director & Partner

Mr. Inglis, a professional investment analyst, has been responsible for the analysis and investment in companies of every sector of the insurance business as well as other financial services companies. His extensive knowledge of the insurance business contributes to both the investment management department and the Corporate Finance group. Prior to his current responsibilities, Mr. Inglis served as Director of the firm’s research department, in which he continues to play an integral role.

Mr. Inglis began his financial career as a banking officer with National Westminster Bank USA and subsequently served as an investment analyst with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Mr. Inglis joined PhiloSmith in 1984. Mr. Inglis graduated summa cum laude from Boston University and received an M.B.A. from New York University Graduate School of Business.

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Michele O’Grady photo

Michele O’Grady

Managing Director & Partner

Ms. O’Grady joined PhiloSmith in 1998 and became a partner in 2005. She has primary responsibility for the financial and administrative affairs of all the managed investment accounts and Partnerships. Ms. O’Grady oversees the financial accounting, compliance and operations for the firm and maintains financial data and performance calculations for the firm’s investment vehicles. She is also President and Chief Compliance Officer of PhiloSmith Securities, LLC, an affiliated FINRA registered broker-dealer.

Ms. O’Grady began her financial career as an associate at Capital Partners, an LBO firm. In 1994, she became Chief Financial Officer of Oxford Bioscience Partners, a venture capital firm with over $300 million under management. Ms. O’Grady graduated magna cum laude from Marymount College and received her M.B.A. with honors from the University of Bridgeport.

Michele currently maintains the Series 7 and 24 FINRA Registrations through PhiloSmith Securities, LLC the affiliated FINRA registered Broker/Dealer of PhiloSmith Capital Corporation. Check the background of PhiloSmith Securities, LLC or one of its registered professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

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David Salmon of PhiloSmith, Managing Director & Partner

David Salmon

Managing Director & Partner

Dave joined PhiloSmith in 2009 after working as an Analyst in the Mergers & Acquisitions division at Jefferies Group, Inc. In 2018, Dave became a Partner. Dave focuses his efforts on overseeing the day-to-day activities of the firm’s M&A transactions and building relationships with potential clients. Since joining PhiloSmith, he has either led or assisted the negotiation and consummation of over 30 mergers and acquisitions transactions ranging in value from approximately $2 million up to $70 million.

Dave graduated magna cum laude from Colby College with a degree in Economics with a Concentration in Financial Markets.

Dave currently maintains the Series 7, 79, 24 and 63 FINRA registrations through PhiloSmith Securities, LLC, the affiliated FINRA registered Broker/Dealer of Philo Smith Capital Corporation. Check the background of PhiloSmith Securities, LLC or one of its registered professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

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