Leadership Team

Joel Murray Headshot

Joel P. Murray - CPCU

President & CEO, Board Chair

Joel P. Murray is the President & Chief Executive Officer and serves as the Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the affiliated Companies of the N&D® Group and the N&D Foundation. Joel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University, a Master in Business Administration from Boston College, and the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Joel currently serves as a Director on the Boards of the Massachusetts Fair Plan, the Mutual Fire Insurance Association, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He was formerly a Director on the Board of Greater Boston YMCA. Joel has also been actively involved in coaching numerous local youth sports teams over the years.

Alex Butensky Headshot

Alex P. Butensky - FCAS, MAAA, CPCU

Senior Vice President, CFO, Treasurer & Chief Actuary

Alex joined The N&D Group in October of 2013 and currently serves as CFO, Treasurer & Chief Actuary. As CFO and Treasurer, Alex oversees accounting and investment functions for The N&D Group. Alex’s actuarial responsibilities include ratemaking, product development, loss reserving, and assumed and ceded reinsurance. Alex received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Amherst College. He is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He also holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance, and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designations.

Erin Cummings Headshot

Erin M. Cummings - CPCU, AIC, AIT, ARM, AIS, API, AINS, AIM

Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer & Chief Information Officer

Erin joined N&D in 2000. Erin retains strategic oversight of traditional IT segments – Infrastructure, Application Development, and Data Management – as well as N&D’s Project Management Operational Efficiency initiatives. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and English from Boston College, where she was selected as Scholar of the College. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University, with a concentration in Information Technology. Erin is a Trustee of the Insurance Library of Boston and serves on several committees affiliated with Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR), the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), and the New England Mutual Fire Insurance Association (MFIA). She also holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.

Cummings Mike new

Michael T. Cummings - AIC

Senior Vice President, Claims

Mike joined The N&D group in 2024 and brings close to 30 years of experience working in the property and casualty industry holding various roles in management and technology while consulting to over 60 claims organizations globally.  As Senior Vice President of Claims, he is responsible for the management and development of N&D’s claims organization. Mike earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Syracuse University and his Master of Business Administration from Babson College’s FW Olin Graduate School of Business. 

Colby Hewitt Headshot

C. Colby Hewitt - CPCU, AIAF, ARe

Chief Marketing Officer

Colby came to The N&D Group as Chief Marketing Officer in January 2018.  His twelve years of experience prior to N&D included positions in personal and commercial lines underwriting, product development, reinsurance, and as a District Marketing Manager. Colby graduated cum laude in English Literature from Middlebury College, where he captained the rugby team. He holds designations as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), and Associate in Insurance Data Analytics (AIDA). Colby has served on the Board of Directors of the Boston Chapter of CPCU and as President of the New England 1752 Club. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Crossroads, a youth enrichment organization, and on the Board of Directors of Dedham Square Circle.

Victor Pepin Headshot

Victor M. Pepin - CPCU, CIC

Chief Strategy Officer

Victor joined The N&D Group in 2018. He has over 30 years of experience in the property and casualty industry and has worked extensively with independent agents throughout his entire career. Prior to joining N&D, he held several senior executive roles with both a regional and national insurance carrier. Victor has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Vermont and Master of Business Administration from Franklin Pierce University. He holds the Chartered Property and Casualty (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designations.

Michele Sears Headshot

Michele C. Sears

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Michele Sears has twenty years of experience in insurance law. Prior to joining our team, Michele was a partner at a national law firm where she focused her practice in insurance defense litigation and direct representation of insurance carriers in coverage matters. She represented major insurers and other clients, including insurance agents and brokers, in a wide range of complex claims, disputes and regulatory matters. Michele also has experience in employment law, handling matters before administrative agencies and in state and federal court, involving claims of discrimination, retaliation, and wage-and-hour disputes. She advised clients regarding the management of employment and labor issues and policies.

Mike Tufts Headshot

Michael J. Tufts

Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

Michael joined The N&D Group in June of 2017, bringing more than 20 years of experience to his role. He provides leadership and subject matter expertise in Talent Management, Business Continuity Planning, and Facilities Management. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Management (magna cum laude) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School executive education program, Leading Change and Organizational Renewal (LCOR). Michael was appointed to the Board of the Norfolk & Dedham Foundation in 2018. He Chairs the Business Continuity Planning and Retirement Plans Committees for N&D and serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA).

Matt Young Headshot

E. Matthew Young - CPCU, CRM, CIC, AFIS

Chief Underwriting Officer and Chief Product Officer
Matt joined The N&D Group in March of 2017, bringing more than 25 years of experience to his role as CUO. He leads the underwriting teams for N&D’s commercial and personal lines of business. Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics from Wake Forest University as well as a Master of Business Administration from James Madison University. He also holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist (AFIS) professional insurance designations.