Regional Director - Americas

Gordon Cessford was appointed to the position of Regional Director of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc. in October 2019. In this leadership role, he is responsible for Atradius’ business activities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico working on developing the local markets, nurturing customer, broker and staff relationships, and achieving strategic goals.

Prior to Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc., Gordon joined Atradius in 2017 where most recently, he served as Atradius’ Commercial Director in Hong Kong, overseeing operations in the Asia Pacific Region.

Gordon has a long track record of success in banking and financial services. He spent over two decades in the credit insurance industry, where he served in a variety of positions, including Chief Commercial Officer and Regional Commercial Director for major credit insurance carriers. In these roles, he was responsible for all aspects of commercial, client and sales strategies in 12 markets and helped grow the trade credit insurance market and business portfolio.

Gordon was born in Scotland and was educated in Scotland and New Zealand.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Tel: +1 (410) 568-3816
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3903
Email: gordon.cessford@atradius.com

Vice President – Regional Director, Risk Services - Americas

Aaron Rutstein was appointed to the position of Vice President and Regional Director, Risk Services Americas in July 2018. In this leadership role, Aaron is responsible for Atradius’ risk underwriting activities in North and South America, including the Caribbean.

Aaron has been involved with all facets of risk in trade credit insurance since entering the industry in 2003,  covering roles in business development, info-gathering and risk underwriting.  In 2014 he became Head of Risk for a start-up Non-Can carrier.  He joined Atradius in 2016 as VP Senior Manager - U.S., Caribbean, and Central American Buyer Underwriting.

Aaron was born in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated from Dickinson College in 2002 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and International Business & Management.  He received his MBA in Finance from Loyola College in 2008.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Tel: +1 (410) 568-3812
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3924
Email: aaron.rutstein@atradius.com

Vice President & Head of Special Products - Americas

Jonathan Handen transitioned to the position of Vice President – Head of Special Products of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc, in December 2016 after returning to Atradius as Senior Manager of Special Products in July 2016. In this leadership role, Jonathan now directs the company’s Special Products trade credit and political risk insurance operation for the Americas.

Jon is a recognized leader in the trade credit insurance industry with more than 18 years of experience. He is returning to Atradius where he held several roles from 1998–2005. Jon spent the past 11 years at a major competitor, most recently, holding the position of Group Head of Commercial Underwriting. During his career, Jon has held numerous positions, developing a wealth of knowledge in the analysis and structuring of complex transactions across mature and emerging markets.

Jonathan was born in Annapolis, Maryland and obtained his Masters from Loyola University.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Tel: +1 (410) 568-3824
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3903
_{Email : jonathan.handen@atradius.com}

Vice President - Head of Sales & New Business

Carlo Carlini was appointed to the position of Vice President – Head of Sales & New Business of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc. in October 2012.

In this leadership role, he is responsible for growing and expanding the regional sales offices and working to staff them with Regional Managers in order to further develop and ultimately provide superior customer service for Atradius’ commercial business activities throughout the United States. Additionally, Carlo provides customers with global expertise, effective risk management strategies and new programs to leverage emerging markets’ growing demand for domestic goods and services.

Prior to joining Atradius, Carlo worked in the trade credit insurance industry for 14 years. During his tenure, he held several key positions while in the US as well as outside of the US bringing different business assignments to fruition.

Carlo was born in Rimini, Italy and holds a B.S. from Universitá di Bologna, Italy, and a Master in Public Administration from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-8643
Tel:   +1 (410) 568-3808
Fax:  +1 (410) 568-3901
E-mail: carlo.carlini@atradius.com

Head of Retention & Client Services

Paul Lane was appointed to the position of Head of Retention & Client Services, in November 2019. In this leadership role, Paul is responsible for managing our customer relationships by supporting a ‘best in class’ service with a focus on policy retention.

Paul has been with Atradius since 2006, starting as an intern and eventually working various account manager and commercial underwriting positions.  Most recently, Paul worked out of our Irvine CA branch office as Commercial Manager - West Region; there he was responsible for managing the west coast broker new business channel as well as managing a team of Account Managers and overseeing the successful retention of our regional portfolio.\

Paul was born in Baltimore, Maryland and received his B.S. in Business Administration from the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore.

Vice President, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel

Dominick Cirelli was appointed to this position in March 2018. In this leadership role, Dominick is responsible for providing legal and compliance advice to the Atradius executive management teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He is a member of the Atradius senior leadership team and participates in the operational management and strategic planning of the company.

Prior to joining Atradius, Dominick was the Deputy General Counsel of a major Credit Insurance company.  Mr. Cirelli served for fifteen years in positions of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure.  Prior to this experience, Mr. Cirelli worked at Mendes & Mount in Newark, N.J. and Smith, Stratton, Wise, Heher and Brennan in Princeton, N.J. where he specialized in insurance coverage litigation.  

Dominick was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-law from Penn State University in 1990.  He received his Juris Doctorate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Akron School of Law in Akron, Ohio in 1997.  He is a member of the State Bar of New Jersey.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: +1 (410) 568-3833
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3903
dominick.cirelli@atradius.com

Vice President – Human Resources Director/NAFTA

Holly Burkett was appointed to the position of Vice President, Human Resources of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc. in April 2014. In this leadership role, she is responsible for managing all Human Resources functions in the NAFTA region and providing the NAFTA leadership team with guidance on employee relations and engagement.

Prior to joining Atradius, Holly worked in the Human Resources field for over 15 years within various industries including Real Estate Finance, Information Technology Services, Retail and Manufacturing.

Holly was born in Phoenix, AZ and holds a B.A. in Communications, with emphasis on International/Intercultural Communications from Arizona State University.

Certifications:

• Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) 

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-8643
Tel:   +1 (410) 568-3879
Fax:  +1 (410) 568-3902
E-mail: holly.burkett@atradius.com

Vice President, Treasurer and Head of Finance - NAFTA

Samuel Hautot was appointed to the position of Vice President, Treasurer and Head of Finance - NAFTA in November 2011. In this leadership role, he is responsible for managing all finance, control and facilities functions in the NAFTA region.

Prior to joining Atradius, Samuel worked in the trade credit insurance industry for 12 years with one of our largest competitors. During his tenure there, he held several key positions in France and in the US.

Samuel was born in Harfleur, France and holds a B.A. in Business Studies, specializing in accounting & controllership from Ecole de Management de Normandie, France.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-8643
Tel:   +1 (410) 568-3862
Fax:  +1 (410) 568-3903

E-mail: samuel.hautot@atradius.com

Vice President – Head of Operations and Claims - NAFTA

Risa Pickle was appointed to the position of Vice President in December 2004. In this leadership role, she is responsible for managing and growing the operations of the company.  In addition she is responsible for overseeing Claims and Customer Service for the US.

Risa began her Credit Insurance career in 1986 with Fidelity & Deposit Companies and continued her years of service through succeeding  companies Maryland Netherlands Credit Insurance Company, Gerling NCM, and NCM Americas. 

Risa was born in Maryland and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Towson University and a Masters in Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University. 

​230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-8643
Tel:   +1 (410) 568-3855
Fax:  +1 (410) 568-3903

E-mail: risa.pickle@atradius.com

Country Manager - Global US

Nikki Kastanakis was appointed to the position of Country Manager, Global US in July 2018. In this leadership role, together with Rik Broekman, Regional Director Global NAFTA, Nikki is responsible for managing and growing the Global US portfolio. This goal can only be achieved through maintaining strong relationships with both the client and broker communities.

Nikki has been with Atradius since 2011, starting as a buyer underwriter for the risk team and eventually joining Global in 2014. Prior to this Nikki worked for a large investment bank where she first developed an interest in the financial services industry.

Nikki was born in Baltimore, Maryland and received her B.S. in Finance from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: +1 (410) 568-3804
Mobile: +1 (443) 756-1396
nikki.kastanakis@atradius.com

Vice President and Senior Manager of U.S. Buyer Underwriting Risk Services – Americas

In this role, David is responsible for providing strategic direction for the U.S. underwriting platform and for monitoring the development of the U.S. portfolio and adapting the risk management approach as necessary.

David initially joined Atradius in 2011 and recognizes a diverse background with career experiences ranging from commercial credit risk analysis and portfolio management to education.  Prior to his appointment as Senior Manager of U.S. Buyer Underwriting, he served as a Team Lead within Atradius’ Special Risk Management unit, managing a high risk buyer portfolio across numerous industry sectors.

David was born in Baltimore, Maryland and earned his MBA at Loyola University Maryland and is a CFA charter holder.  

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: +1 (410) 568-3917
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3901
E-mail: david.cullota@atradius.com

Vice President and Senior Manager of Special Risk Services - Americas

Christian joined Atradius in 2001 as a Buyer Underwriter and was appointed to the position of Senior Manager of Special Risk Management unit in 2015 – and then nominated as Vice President by Management Board in 2016. In this leadership role, he oversees his team of Senior Underwriters, responsible for managing Atradius’ most risky buyer portfolios.

Prior to Atradius, Christian spent 8 years working for Barmer Health Insurance, a German company – underwriting and managing health claims.

Christian was born in Luebeck, Germany and received his BA from the University of Applied Sciences in Kiel, Germany and his MBA – International Business and Financial Management from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

230 Schilling Circle, Ste. 240
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: +1 (410) 568-3849
Fax: +1 (410) 568-3901
E-mail: christian.mueller@atradius.com