OUR TEAM

Andrew Dudzinski
Chairman & CEO
Andrew is a British citizen, resident of the United States for the past 28 years. He was educated in the UK and is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After worldwide service in the British Airborne Forces, followed by six years in the UAE, Andrew settled in the USA and established an international employee benefits practice in Houston in 1984.

Andrew began his dedication to marine employee benefits in 1991 when he formed a business partnership in Florida which has become the MHG group of companies today.

Throughout the past 20 years, Andrew has provided MHG's lead in relationships with international underwriters and insurers, creating programs relevant to the marine industry's changing needs as well as expanding MHG's global footprint.

In addition to serving as Chairman and CEO for the group, Andrew is also Managing Director of the two main European group members in Hamburg and the Isle of Man.

John Haagensen
President
John began work in the merchant navy in the early seventies and later served in the Royal Norwegian Navy. After completing his tour, John attended Technical School and successfully graduated from a four year Electrical Engineering course. This was followed by a period at sea including employment as an Electrical Engineer at RCCL.

In 1979, John came ashore and joined Sons of Norway, a fraternal organization providing Life and other insurance products targeted mainly at the US Norwegian community. John became a highly successful Agent, a top salesman and was several times a member of the Million Dollar Club in recognition of his results.

In 1991 John met Andrew Dudzinski. With John's established access to the cruise industry and Andrew's extensive connections among European insurance markets they found a potential new market for their joint resources and experience that has become MHG today.

In addition to his duties as MHG's President and with over 30 years experience in US domestic and international insurance, John is responsible for all aspects of the company's sales and the development of new sales strategies.

A native of Norway, John is very active in the local Norwegian community and belongs to the Norwegian Shipping Club and Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Hult
Executive Vice President
Peter joined MHG Insurance Brokers in 2002. He is responsible for corporate business development, finance, public relations and marketing, as well as the day-to-day operation. Originally from Helsingborg, Sweden, Peter has over 15 years of experience in the marine industry. He began his career as the onboard human resources manager for Silversea Cruises, a 5-star cruise line. From there he took a position as the head of human resources for The World of residenSea, an exclusive condominium ship that travels the globe, where he was tasked with establishing and implementing corporate HR policies and procedures, training and professional development, and interviewing and hiring a staff of over 300 employees from 30 different countries.

Peter is a board member of The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida Region. He co-founded and is currently the President of MHG Medical Consulting Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of MHG, where he is responsible for strategic development, finance, and operational delivery.

Peter is passionate about community involvement and is a co-founder of and serves as a board member of the Marine Industry Cares Foundation, a non-for-profit organization that brings the maritime business community together with the local community in order to raise money and awareness for local charities that support children and families.

Mark Abba
General Manager, Employee Benefits Division
Mark has over 20 years of combined experience working in the cruise and hospitality industry in various corporate management capacities, notably casino operations. He feels that working in casinos with percentages and numbers has put him in good stead for risk and insurance writing. Project and risk management are two areas that Mark has always been involved in and carried through to his appointment as General Manager with MHG, heading the Employee Benefits Division. Aside from providing benefit solutions for corporate groups, he believes one the main roles of his division is to offer guidance and support to families and individuals during this complex time of Health Care Reform.

Mark is a firm believer in community involvement and outreach and serves as Membership Director for the British American Chamber of Commerce for Broward as well being a member of several notable community centric groups such the Fort Lauderdale River Walk Trust.

Tracie Abba
Manager, Operations
Tracie has 30 years of experience in the cruise industry, both ashore and at sea. She joined P&O in London starting in the reservations department and later moved to the sales department. Her seagoing career spans ten years aboard P&O/Princess Cruises ships where she reached the position of Deputy Hotel Manager. In 1999, Tracie came ashore to get married and, initially settling in California and in 2003, relocating to South Florida. Tracie joined Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing as Manager of Entertainment Programs in 2004, but took a break after giving birth to twins in 2006. Since joining MHG in 2008, she has used her extensive experience in supporting the Cruise Division and continues to do so, in her role as Operations Manager.

Mark Bononi
Director, Yacht Division
Mark joined MHG in 2005 and is the Director of the Yacht Division. Prior to joining MHG, Mark was a professional pilot which offered a similar lifestyle to that of yacht crew. This experience helped him to identify the specific challenges that crewmembers face in comparison to shore-based workers. Mark is able to provide sound advice and support because he understands the unique needs of those who work in the yachting industry. He uses this knowledge and combines it with a caring approach and a dedicated effort to providing service at the very highest level.

Mark is very involved with the maritime community and participates in many different events throughout the year. He also takes part in educational seminars in an effort to inform crewmembers, as well as industry professionals, about crew health insurance. In addition, Mark is on the membership committee for the Southeast region of the US Superyacht Association, heavily involved with the Marine Industry Cares Foundation annual Spin-A-Thon and a member of the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club, the Florida Yacht Brokers Association and Seakeepers International.

Originally from the Midwest, Mark has a degree from St. Louis University.

Peter Dudzinski
Manager, Underwriting & Broking
Peter is responsible for MHG's Hamburg office and oversees all broking activities for the MHG Group of Companies. Peter joined MHG in Miami in 2003, working initially in support of cruise industry clients. In 2006, he returned to Europe to open and manage MHG's office in Hamburg where he now focuses on developing customized crew insurance solutions across all industry sectors. Peter's extensive knowledge of the different areas of the business has made him invaluable to the Cruise and Yacht divisions.

Peter graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2003.

Steve Jackson
Business Development Manager, Luxury Yacht Division
Steve is based on the Cote d'Azur where he has been representing MHG's luxury yacht division since early 2010. With a diploma in financial services, Steve worked for the Prudential in the UK for several years before becoming an independent financial consultant. In 2000, he decided to take a sabbatical, after traveling across Europe this eventually lead him to the Mediterranean coast and the yachting industry. Almost eight years later with Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean passages to his name, Steve had become a familiar face in the world of yachting. Working exclusively on sailing yachts he participated in many regattas such as the Super yacht cup Palma, Millennium cup New Zealand and Voiles de St Tropez. Steve is still very active within the yachting industry and is called upon several times a year to race as part of a crew. Returning to land over two years ago and re-establishing his career as a Financial Consultant, Steve enjoys the lifestyle on the Riviera along with activities such as cycling, snowboarding and of course sailing.

Kevin Knorr
Manager, IT
A native of Philadelphia region, Kevin began his IT career managing Delaware Valley Telephone Company, which provided business telephone systems. After selling the company a few years later, Kevin joined Maxwell Systems where he learned many new skills while serving as support analyst and was later promoted to the title of MIS Director. Wanting an escape from the cold winters of the northeast, Kevin relocated to South Florida where he joined MHG as IT Manager and all around computer guru.

Kevin is a board member of the Wilton Manors Main Street which is a non-profit in Wilton Manors that works with the city on economic development, the local businesses to promote them and civic groups on events and beautification projects.

Cathy Lane
Operations Manager, European Business Unit
Cathy joined the MHG team in January 2011 to expand and manage the European office based in the Isle of Man. Having initially trained as a costume designer at college, she diverted into a career as a ladies footwear designer based in London. On returning to the island in 2000 and given that the footwear industry was on the decline in the UK, a career change was in order. She decided to re-train for the financial services sector and has spent 8 years as a local Independent Financial Adviser, specialising in mortgages and all forms of personal insurances. In her most previous position, she set up and launched a new department within a general insurance brokerage, specialising in life assurance, private medical insurance and income protection. Ever adaptable, she is now learning about the marine industry and is enjoying it immensely. In her spare time she enjoys baking, DIY, is a huge movie buff and for 2 weeks every year is a camera assistant with the TV company that come over to film the Isle of Man TT motorcycle road races.

Laura Lieberman
General Manager, Business Insurance Division
Laura actively runs the Business Insurance Division of MHG, focusing on property and casualty insurance for businesses of all sizes. She holds licenses in Life and Health, Property and Casualty and Surplus Lines.

Laura has more than 18 years of experience in sales and business development, including shipboard and shoreside appointments with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Regency, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and International Voyager Media. Most recently she served as the Director of Broker Relations for BVG Incorporated, a luxury real estate developer and destination club operator in Tampa, Florida. Previously, she held a variety of key management positions at Wannado City and Anheuser-Busch.

Laura presently serves on the board of directors of the 17th Street Causeway Alliance as VP of Marketing. The Alliance was formed by a group of concerned 17th Street business and property owners seeking ways to improve, enhance and sustainably develop the 17th Street Causeway Corridor and to promote such efforts for the benefit of our businesses, residents and visitors. Laura is also a member of EWGA which connects women to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and for fun.

Sheree Lynch
Director, Cruise Division
Sheree has nearly 30 years experience in the cruise industry. Her seagoing career spans twenty years with P&O/Princess Cruises where she reached the position of hotel manager before coming ashore in 1997 to work with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as Hotel Operations Manager and then Orient Lines/NCL as Hotel Operations Director.

She joined MHG in May 2006 to head up the Cruise Division and feels that her experience in the cruise industry allows her to relate to her cruise line clients whether they are seagoing or corporate management. Sheree is also a member of WISTA (Women's International Shipping and Trade Association), a worldwide networking organization for women at management level in the maritime industry. WISTA pursues and supports the creation of both national and international business relationships among WISTA members, and there are currently over 1,300 members in 29 different countries.

Kent Mittet
Director, Finance
Kent began his career in Norway with the National Insurance Organization where he served as a Senior Finance and Accounting Officer. During a leave of absence that included six months with the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon and a student exchange program at the University of Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Kent decided to leave his job in Norway and remain in the US to continue his studies. Kent earned a Master of Science in Finance, Investment and Banking in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin and went on to work with BlackRock Financial Management as a Credit Analyst in New York City. In 2003, Kent relocated to South Florida and joined MHG where he now serves as the Director of Finance.

Joanna Drysdale
International Insurance Specialist
Joanna grew up near Glasgow in Scotland and started out in the workforce working for a supermarket chain. She moved to the Isle of Man in 2003 and started working for a local insurance broker, gaining skills and knowledge which helped her towards gaining her Certificate in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute. She came to work for MHG in April 2011 and is delighted to be working in such an interesting and varied industry, with friendly and knowledgeable colleagues. In her spare time Joanna enjoys playing flute, piccolo and piano- as well as being a player she also serves on the committee of the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra. She also enjoys reading, keeping up with current affairs & politics, and is learning German.

Melissa Gribas
Marketing
Melissa joined the MHG team in July 2005. She is responsible for all advertising and marketing for the MHG Group of Companies, which includes marketing campaigns, website development, collateral and events. She is also the Marketing Chair for the Marine Industry Cares Foundation, a non-for-profit organization that brings the maritime business community together with the local community in order to raise money and awareness for local charities that support children and families.

Prior to joining MHG, Melissa worked for Delta Airlines and Carnival Cruise Lines. Melissa has a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism from Florida International University.

JW Haagensen
Insurance Specialist
JW has worked for MHG since 2003, selling and servicing international health, life and disability insurance for marine crew and their families. He handles all individual international insurance inquiries regarding plan details, claims and general questions for potential and current clients.

Born and raised in South Florida, JW is half Norwegian half American.

Beate Jakobsen
Account Executive, Employee Benefits Division
Beate is a part of our Employee Benefits Division, working with client to provide quotes, assist with claims, answer questions and other service-related tasks. Originally a computer programmer, Beate has had five years of education in homeopathy and practiced alternative medicine until becoming a Furniture Store Manager in Germany. Before joining the MHG team, she held an Office Manager position at Bounty Group Holding, LLC in Miami.

A Norwegian citizen, Beate lived in Denmark and Germany prior to moving to Florida, where she has lived for 13 years. She remains dedicated to the Norwegian Community and is currently president of the NSC & NACC (Norwegian Shipping Club & Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce). Beate is also the Honorary Vice-Consul for the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Miami.

Janine Jeffries
Broker, Business Insurance
Janine has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, from being involved in sales at large life insurance companies and group insurance for small business, to creating and sustaining profitable Property & Casualty divisions for several agencies, including her own. She is licensed in Property & Casualty as well as Life & Health insurance.

Originally from New York, Janine moved to South Florida at a young age, and has lived in the area most of her life. Janine is active in the South Florida community and participates in various 5k charity runs, including those for Broward Fire Fighters and the Susan G. Komen race for The Cure. She is also a supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. An avid animal lover, Janine is a Certified Equine Sports Therapist, as well as an active member of the Plantation Acres Saddle Club and the American Quarter Horse Association.

Janine joined MHG in 2011 as a Business Insurance Broker. Her primary responsibilities include placing worker's comp accounts, prospecting new business opportunities and offering general support to the General Manager of the Business Insurance Division.

Johanna Karlsson
Account Executive, Yacht Division
Since joining MHG in February 2007, Johanna began supporting the cruise and yacht divisions. In the past year, Johanna has focused exclusively on the yacht division and works as Mark Bononi's right hand. Johanna handles all the day-to-day activities such as claims and benefit inquiries as well as account administration for MHG's yacht clients.

Originally from Sweden, Johanna has lived in the US for 10 years. Before coming to the US, Johanna spent a year in Aix - en - Provence where she studied French. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.A. in International Communications. Johanna's previous work experience includes work with a weekly Swedish magazine. In her free time, Johanna enjoys reading biographies, learning about holistic nutrition and traveling.

Cory Scruggs
Coordinator, Finance
Cory is responsible for assisting the accounting department with bookkeeping activities such as expense recording and financial analysis. He currently attends Broward College where he is pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Marketing.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Cory moved to South Africa at age 13. In July 2008, Cory moved to Fort Lauderdale where he enjoyed a short stint in yachting before joining MHG.

Louise Steynberg
Account Executive, Cruise Division
Louise joined the MHG team in 2010 in a support role to the Cruise Division handling account administration and corporate client relations. In 2011, Louise also took on daily coordination of the onboard sales team. She is very active in the community and sits on the board of the Marine Industry Cares Foundation, a non-for-profit organization that brings the maritime business community together with the local community in order to raise money and awareness for local charities that support children and families.

Prior to joining MHG, Louise spent six years working in the travel industry in Fort Lauderdale. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Louise has lived and worked in many parts of the world including the Isle of Wight, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Zambia. She and her husband moved to Seattle, Washington in 2000 and in 2004 Louise graduated from Bastyr University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology.

Shannon Stokes
Account Executive, Employee Benefits Division
Born and raised in South Florida, Shannon attended Saint Thomas Aquinas and Florida State University where she gained her degree in Business Marketing. After taking jobs that lead her both around the country as an adventure travel leader, and around the globe as an artist and interior decorator, Shannon happily joined the MHG team in 2011 as an Administrative Coordinator and was later promoted to an Account Executive in the Employee Benefits Division.

Shannon is very active in her church, First Presbyterian of Fort Lauderdale on Las Olas, where she sings in the contemporary worship band, mentors the youth, and has been a volunteer and leader on over 10 mission trips and retreats.

Heather Tole
Broker, Employee Benefits Division
Heather joined MHG in 2011 as Broker for the Employee Benefits Division. Her job responsibilities include acquiring new group employee benefits accounts and managing broking and sales for designated accounts with a specific focus on our ADP business relationship. Prior to MHG, Heather began her career in the health and fitness industry.

A native of Miami, Heather has a BA in Public Communication from Florida Atlantic University.

Maira Trosty
Accountant
Maira joined MHG as an accountant in June 2007. She graduated from Florida International University's School of Business with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a minor in Business Management.

Maira began her career in business at First Union National Bank from 1990 through 2000 where she held various banking positions providing customer service and loan officer assistance. She started her accounting career at Rachlin Cohen and Hults Public Accounting Firm. Later, she transferred to corporate accounting as the Assistant to the Director of Accounting for Mckenzie Tank Lines and Assistant Controller for Southeast Corporate Credit Union.

Jan E. Andreasen
Benefits Adviser
Jan Andreasen has over 30 years experience as an international professional adviser.  His career has spanned law, stock brokerage, investment advice and financial planning in both Europe and the United States.  Jan has lived in the US, UK, France and Denmark and maintains close contacts with providers in the field of international investments and savings.  Jan provides MHG his extensive expertise in advising on international retirement and investment programs. 

Joe Flynn
Benefits Adviser
Joe joined MHG in early 2008 after serving a distinguished 37 year career with JP Morgan Chase. Following his promotion to Vice President Treasury Services in 1987, Joe held key management positions in Information Technology, Financial Planning and Analysis and Project Management. Joe successfully led several key strategic JPM initiatives that included the implementation of the JPM Global Billing platform and the merger of technology platforms across several major money center banks. Joe has a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Pace University. He lives in New York with his wife Liz of over 30 years.

Mattias Hallberg
Benefits Adviser
After studying economics in Sweden, Mattias started his career in the insurance and banking industry at age 20. At age 26, he joined the cruise lines to see the world and has since visited 140 countries. In February 2008, Mattias joined MHG as a Benefits Adviser. In this role, Mattias visits our cruise ship clients onboard and supports corporate group benefit plans in addition to providing individual financial and insurance advice.

Svein Mentzen
Benefits Adviser
Svein is one of our latest additions to the team of Benefits Advisers. He comes to MHG with years of experience at sea and an in-depth knowledge of life at sea and on cruise ships in particular. He started his career on cargo ships in 1968, but for a number of years now he has been working for various cruise companies as a deck officer. Svein has been travelling for MHG for a couple of years, but plans to increase his frequency of ship visits in the time to come.

Svein hails from Norway and did his nautical education at the Nautical school in Oslo, which he completed in 1981. Since 2003, he has been living in Waterlooville, UK with his partner.

AJ Simha
Benefits Adviser
AJ joined MHG in 2011 as a member of the Benefits Adviser team. Previously, AJ worked in the cruise industry for 10 years, holding various positions with Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Holland America Line. He has also worked as an Institutional and Proprietary equity trader for a Wall Street hedge fund and more recently as an analyst for an overseas private equity company.

AJ completed his education at the University of Limerick, Ireland where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, a graduate level diploma in Finance and a mini MBA from the University of Buffalo.