Leadership Team

President

Dwight Shackelford

CPCU, AINS, AIS, API

Dwight Shackelford earned his CPCU designation in December 2018 and began serving on the board in 2019. Dwight earned a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from Concordia University - Irvine in 2005 and a Master's degree in Education from Northwestern University in 2009. He has enjoyed a productive career of 23 years at the Automobile Club of Southern California where he works as a Training Specialist in the Education, Training and Development business unit. He enjoys reading, watching movies and documentaries, exercising and spending time with his family. He resides in Fountain Valley, CA with his wife Karen, daughter Grace, dogs Jack and Molly, and cat Charlotte.

Treasurer and Secretary

Chris Cook

CPCU, AINS, AIC

Chris earned his CPCU designation under the President’s CPCU Scholarship in 2012. Chris also holds the AINS and AIC designations. A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, Chris has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. Chris will be entering his eleventh year of serving on the CPCU Orange-Empire Chapter Board.

Immediate Past President

Chris Glidewell

CPCU

Chris earned his CPCU designation in July 2017 and his AIDA designation in July 2022.  Chris attended California State University, Stanislaus and earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration before moving down to Orange County in 2000 to work on his MBA at CSUF. He didn't complete his MBA as life took a different and much better path where he got married and had three children.  Chris has worked in the insurance industry for over 26 years, starting at a small family agency and moving on underwriting with Mercury Insurance in 2000.  Chris and his family enjoy cheering on the Giants when they come to town, keeping his NorCal baseball roots. 

Director at Large

Andrea Eickhoff

CPCU

Director at Large

Raymond Palucki

CPCU

Raymond received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine in Mathematics. He received his CPCU designation in 2000 and Associate in Management in 2001. Ray is currently a Senior Underwriter for Mercury Insurance Group and has been in the Insurance Industry for over 25 years.

Director at Large & Good Works Chair

Susannah Falabella

CPCU, AINS, AIS, AIDA

Susannah received her Bachelor's degree from Cal State Fullerton in 2001 with a major in Liberal Studies and a minor in Spanish. She was awarded the President's scholarship from The Institutes and earned her CPCU designation in 2017. Susannah has worked in the insurance industry for 21 years and is currently a Senior Underwriter in the personal auto department for Mercury Insurance Group. She is active in our Chapter and has served in the following roles: Good Works Chairperson, President Elect and President. She has 2 daughters and enjoys leisure time with family and friends and travel.

Social Media Rep

Stevi Apel

Stevi has been at Mercury Insurance for the past 21 years in a variety of roles, currently as a Senior Underwriter.  She is still working on her CPCU designation and excited to join as a Pathways member. Stevi is a fledgling container gardener, with a particular liking for succulents.  She also likes to knit socks, crochet anything and bake.  She lives with her husband and 2 cats in east Anaheim.

Education Chair

Leah Young

CPCU

Leah is currently the Career and Professional Development Advisor at Cal State Fullerton, The School of Risk Management and Insurance. She worked in the insurance industry 30+ years on the commercial product management and underwriting side. Leah received her CPCU designation in 1993.

New Designee Rep

Chris Ruiz

CPCU

My name is Chris Ruiz, I earned my CPCU designation in July of 2023 and my ARM designation  June of 2023 and am looking forward to obtaining my AIS this year. I am currently a New Business Select Underwriter at Travelers Insurance and have been in the insurance industry for almost 5 years now . I am very excited to be a part of the Orange-Empire Chapter. 

Membership Co-Chair

Alex Munguia

CPCU

Alex Munguia joined Lancer Claims Services in 2011 and is currently a Director for Lancer Claims Services. During his past 6 years, Mr. Munguia has been adjusting professional liability claims in the areas of insurance agent errors and omissions and broker/dealer and registered rep errors and omissions programs. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Concentration in Risk Management and Insurance. CPCU in Good Standing.

Webmaster

Melissa Martinez

Melissa is currently a Pathways Member continuing her pursuit of the CPCU designation.  She has been working in the insurance industry for the past 18 years in personal lines auto underwriting and is currently an underwriting branch manager. She is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Studies.