Press Release – December 2024

Kerry M. Porter to retire as Senior Vice President, Director of Claims of USAU; Glenn C. Vallach to be named Senior Vice President, Director of Claims

New York, NY (December 31, 2024)… United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. (USAU), the manager of the United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG), announced today that Kerry Porter, Senior Vice President & Director of Claims, plans to retire after nearly 36 years of service and leadership with the company.  Porter’s retirement will be effective January 2, 2025.  At that time, Glenn Vallach will become Senior Vice President & Director of Claims.

Since 2015 as Director of Claims, Porter was involved in leading USAIG’s claims response efforts for all segments of aviation, from accidents involving private aircraft, commercial operators, major airlines and manufacturing & special risks.

“USAIG benefits greatly from Glenn’s legal expertise and vision for the future,” Porter said.  “His background and focus on aviation underscores why USAIG remains America’s First Name in Aviation Insurance™.”

Prior to joining USAIG, Vallach was an aviation litigation and trial attorney for a boutique New York City defense law firm in Manhattan where he litigated a large number of complex aviation matters for a variety of prominent aviation entities and insurers, including USAIG.  He joined USAIG in 2012 and has held various positions of responsibility over the years.   

In 2024, Vallach was named USAIG’s Deputy Director of Claims, serving under Kerry Porter’s leadership in managing the USAIG Claims Department worldwide.  In addition to becoming USAIG’s Deputy Director of Claims, Vallach retained his role as General Aviation Claims Division Manager.

Vallach attended Boston College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science and History.  He then graduated Fordham University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.  Glenn is admitted to practice law in the state courts of the State of New York and in the Eastern and Southern District Courts of New York.  He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Aviation Insurance Association, the DRI Aviation Law Committee and the National Business Aviation Association Regulatory Issues Advisory Group.

John T. Brogan, USAIG’s President & CEO said of Porter “Kerry Porter has not only led USAIG’s claims team but has been an industry leader in claims management for 36 years.  His superior aviation knowledge and relationships have positioned the USAIG claims team as the most respected team in the industry.  His dedication to the company and to our industry will be hard to replace.”

Turning then to Vallach, Brogan stated “Glenn Vallach has earned the respect of his peers both internally and externally through hard work and a consistent approach to fair claims handling.  I believe Glenn will be a great leader for USAIG and our industry for years to come and I look forward to working side by side with Glenn.”

About USAIG

United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) provides a full spectrum of coverage options for owners, operators, manufacturers, and maintainers of corporate, private, and commercial aircraft. In 1928, our founders – World War I pilots and businessmen David Beebe and Reed Chambers – saw the need for an insurance company that truly understood aviation. We remain a world aviation insurance leader delivering innovative, custom-tailored insurance products and services, including Performance Vector safety programs and Performance Vector PLUS good experience returns. United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. manages USAIG, maintaining the industry’s largest network of underwriting and field claims offices. USAU’s wholly owned subsidiary, Toronto-based Canadian Aviation Insurance Managers manages the Canadian Aircraft Insurance Group insurance pool. USAIG is a subsidiary of General Re Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram.