Curriculum Vitae

Michael P. Sapourn, JD, CIC, CRM, ACA
286 Lansing Island Drive, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
(321) 537-3175

Training and Credentials

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics (with High Distinction) from the University of Virginia

• Juris Doctorem (JD) from the Georgetown University Law Center
  
  
• Member, Florida Bar
  
  
• Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). The Society of CIC (SCIC), through its various Institutes and seminars, has achieved national recognition as the standard for the education of agency employees and agency principals. Each CIC Institute requires the participant to attend twenty hours of classroom instruction where they teach the details of insurance coverage. CIC Institutes include Business and Personal Life Insurance Planning, Commercial Property, Commercial Casualty, Personal Lines Coverage and Agency Management. CIC Institutes generally focus on the underwriting process and agency management practices, with an emphasis on preventing agent errors and omissions. The CIC designation is awarded after five Institutes have been attended and a passing grade has been earned on each of the five Institute exams. Mr. Sapourn has maintained his CIC designation by attending annual updates in a broad variety of Insurance topics.
  
  
• Certified Risk Manager (CRM). The Society of CIC (SCIC) added this certification to its educational curriculum. Like the CIC designation, Each CRM Institute requires the participant to attend twenty hours of classroom instruction where the details of the risk management process are taught, with the focus on risk identification, risk analysis, risk control, the financing of risk and the administration of a risk control program. The CRM designation is granted after five Institutes have been attended and a passing grade has been earned on each of the five Institute exams. Mr. Sapourn has added this valuable certification to his credentials.
  
  
• Faculty Member of the National Alliance (sponsor of the Certified Insurance Counselor curriculum)
  
  
• From 1990 through 1998 Mr. Sapourn served as a director on the board of the Professional Insurance Agents Association (PIA), an organization of independent insurance agents whose mission is to help its members improve in all areas of the agency business. PIA sponsors educational programs in partnership with the SCIC and other insurance educational providers. See http://www.pianet.com/

Insurance Agency Experience and Experience:

• Mr. Sapourn began his career as a full-time independent insurance agent in 1978 with Paul J Sapourn Insurance Associates, Inc., a District of Columbia Corporation with offices located in Bethesda, Maryland. He has maintained his licenses in Property, Casualty, Life and Health Insurance in Maryland, and subsequently in Florida, since 1978. From 1978 until 1987 he served as Commercial Lines Manager of Paul J Sapourn Insurance Associates, Inc. (PJSInc). In 1987 he became President and CEO of PJSInc, a position held until September 1, 2001 when the agency was sold. Under Mr. Sapourn's leadership, the agency won many awards from insurance companies, including some for good management practices. In twenty-three years as an agency principal, Mr. Sapourn has no knowledge of any litigation proceeding or legal complaint filed against PJSInc for Agent's Errors and Omissions.

   

Investment Adviser Experience:

Diamond Peak Capital, LLC

Chief Compliance Officer, 2009 – Present
Runs Business Operations and Compliance Department for SEC-Registered Investment Adviser and Commodity Trading Adviser registered with National Futures Association.

• Supervises and implements all SEC and NFA required regulatory registrations and compliance issues.
  
  
• Researches and implements the impact of Financial Regulation Law (FINREG) on Investment Advisers and Hedge Fund managers.
  
  
• Collaborates with attorneys, CPAs and auditors on every aspect of DPC's business.

Sapourn Financial Services, LLC, Bethesda, MD and Melbourne, FL

Chief Executive Officer, 1997 - 2004
Ran Business Operations and Compliance Department for SEC-Registered Investment Adviser.

• Directed and supervised all aspects of business operations.
• Supervised and implemented SEC registration and compliance issues to ensure the integrity of three domestic and one off-shore hedge fund.
• Performed due diligence research on potential managers and investment strategies.
• Navigated company through two SEC audits.

NASD Licenses Held:

• NASD Series 3
• NASD Series 6
• NASD Series 63
• NASD Series 65

Insurance Licenses Held:

• General Lines Property and Casualty Agents License (Maryland, and Florida 220)
• Life, Health and Annuity (Maryland)
• Resident Florida Licenses Currently Held: Life and Health Agent; Florida Public Adjuster.

Expert Witness Experience:

• Mr. Sapourn has been qualified as an expert in federal and various state courts.

Publications and Cases in Which Mr. Sapourn has provided Written Opinions, Deposition and/or Court Room Testimony

• 2011-Marion County, Florida. On Defendant Insurance Agent's behalf, testified in Deposition about the Agent's Standard of Care in an underinsured Homeowner's Loss.
  
  
• 2011-Lee County, Florida. On Plaintiff's behalf, testified in Deposition regarding the wrongful denial of a catastrophic homeowner's fire insurance claim. Ambiguities in the wording of the application were an issue.
  
  
• 2011-Pinellas County, Florida. On Plaintiff's behalf, wrote an Opinion Report regarding the projected additional cost of Flood Insurance resulting from an improper flood zone designation on an Elevation Certificate.
  
  
• 2011-Cameron Parish, Louisiana. On Defendant's behalf, testified in Deposition on Agent's Standard of Care when placing a Flood Insurance Application with a "Write Your Own" carrier.
  
  
• 2010-Dade County, Florida. On Plaintiff's behalf, submitted an Affidavit on a Motion for Summary Judgment against insurance carrier who wrongfully denied a water damage claim. Plaintiff prevailed on the MSJ.
  
  
• 2009-Brevard County, Florida. Assisted counsel for the plaintiff in its case against the insurance company for the wrongful denial of a catastrophic homeowner's fire insurance claim. The Agent's standard of care in the taking of the application for insurance was an issue in the case. (Deposition testimony. Trial pending)
  
  
• 2009-Martin County, Florida. Assisted legal counsel for the defendant in determining captive Agent's standard of care as it relates to the agent's duty to advise. (Deposition testimony)
  
  
• 2008-Published article entitled "Agents Mind Your Es & Os", Insurance Journal, January 28, 2008 edition
  
  
• 2007-2008-Melbourne, FL. Assisted legal counsel in determining agent's standard of care where property coverage limits and protection were inadequate, resulting in substantial coinsurance penalties and uncovered economic loss. (Deposition testimony)
  
  
• 2006-2007- Melbourne, FL. Adjusted a large fire loss to a shopping center where coverage limits were inadequate and succeeded in obtaining the maximum possible relief from carrier.
  
  
• 2005-Boca Raton, FL. Reviewed agent's Errors and Omissions case regarding failure to provide proper marine and property coverage. (Verbal opinion provided)
  
  
• 2005-Published article entitled "Agents Beware: Due Diligence Is Now Required", Insurance Journal, March 21, 2005 edition
  
  
• 2004-2005-Florida Division of Financial Services (DFS). Assisted counsel for the defendant contractor against DFS to eliminate penalties for uninsured subcontractors in a Workers Compensation action. (Written opinion and testimony at an administrative hearing provided).
  
  
• 2004-Federal District Court, Chattanooga, TN. Assisted counsel for the Defendant Insurance Agent against Plaintiff trucking firm for Agent's Errors and Omissions. (Written opinion, Deposition and testimony in Federal District Court provided). Qualified as an expert in Agency Management & Practices and the Agent's Standard of Care.
  
  
• 2004-Vero Beach, FL. Assisted counsel for the Insured against Insurance Company for Wrongful Denial of a Property Claim. (Written opinion provided)
  
  
• 1999-Prince Georges Co, MD. Assisted counsel for the Insured against Insurance Company for failing to offer higher Uninsured Motorist limits. (Deposition testimony and testimony in Maryland District Court)
  
  
• 1998-Washington, D.C. Assisted counsel for the Insured against Insurance Company for denial of liability coverage. (Deposition testimony and testimony in District of Columbia trial court)