About Us

Jim Neville Photo

James A. Neville, CPCU, CSP, CPP, ARM

President

Our Principal, James A. Neville, CPCU, CSP, CPP, ARM has many years experience in the industry, and prior to establishing this firm, was with AIG Marine Risk Consulting as AVP/Marine Risk Consulting Manager-The Americas from 2006 to 2024. Prior to that, he was President and Principal Surveyor for American-Pacific Group, Ltd. for seven years, which was a 4 person independent Adjusting and Surveying firm based in California. Prior to that, he spent about five years with CNA/Hull and Cargo Surveyors, Inc. as the West Coast Regional Manager. Mr. Neville also sailed in various Marine Engineering Capacities, including as Chief Engineer onboard American Maritime Officer-contracted passenger vessels, cargo vessels, and tankships for approximately 13 years. He is a U.S. Navy submarine force veteran, and also served as a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has been called upon to testify as an Expert Witness in several marine insurance-related matters.

His credentials  include:

U.S.C.G. License as Chief Engineer of Steam/Motor Vessels, Any HP (expired)

U.S.C.G. License as Master of Steam or Motor Vessels- 50 Ton (continuity)

Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM)

Certified Marine Surveyor-Nat’l Assoc. of Marine Surveyors (NAMS-CMS)

Licensed All-Lines Adjuster in Florida

Florida Adjuster Lic. W311447
Alabama Adjuster Lic. 3003174092
Georgia Adjuster Lic. 3725163
Louisiana Adjuster Lic. 1137654
Mississippi Adjuster Lic. 11048767

South Carolina Adjuster Lic. 17879070
Texas Adjuster Lic. 2299184

Florida Licensed Private Investigator C1600177

Education:

M.S. Insurance Management- Boston University (2005)

B.S. USNY Regents College, Albany, NY (1996)

Coursework in Business Administration, UC Berkeley Extension

Cargo Security Management Course-US Merchant Marine Academy, NTSB Marine Accident Investigation Course, Taproot Incident Investigation Course, Delaware Tech Property Loss Control Course, National Fire & Arson Investigation Training Course, USPAP Appraisal Course, OSHA Maritime Trainer Course, extensive U.S. Navy training for submarine engineering duty, numerous short engineering and management courses.

FAA licensed Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single & Multi-Engine, and Rotorcraft-Helicopter.

Affiliations:

Member-National Association of Marine Surveyors

Professional Member-American Society of Safety Professionals

Member- ASIS International-Supply Chain and Transportation Security Community (past Chair)

Board Member and Trainer- Transported Assets Protection Association

National Fire Protection Association

Former Member-NFPA 307 Committee on Marine Terminals

Former Member-NFPA 312 Committee on Shipbuilding, Repair and Layup

Member-American Society of Civil Engineers Drydock Standards Committee

Regional Representative-National Association of Marine Surveyors

Jim resides in Ocala with his family and two horses.

CAPTAIN STAN A. KAYS

Senior Marine Risk Consultant/Surveyor

Specializing In:

– Project Cargo Management

– Pre-carriage/pre-shipment cargo condition surveys

– Arrival cargo condition surveys

– Cargo damage surveys/investigations

– Cargo outturn/discharge surveys

– Vessel compliance surveys (per terms of charter agreement/

   contract)

– Loading, securing and trip-in tow surveys

– Heavy lift survey- Locks, bridge, dock and mooring structural damage surveys

 – Rig moves attendance

 – Rig salvage surveys

 – Load-out/sea fastening and transportation surveys with Departure

    Certificates of Approval for platforms/rigs, equipment, etc.

  – Platform, rigs and specialty vessel damage surveys

  – Air Freight damage surveys

  – Warehouse Risk Assessments

– Salvage surveys (sunken barges, vessels, etc.)

– Shipyard layout of repairs survey

– Shipyard final inspection of repairs survey

– Theft investigations

Education:

Joliet Community College – Liberal Arts                                  

Central B. College, Springfield, MO

Major:  Communications, Minor: Speech

Shipyard Competent Person

 Safe Handling Hazardous Materials – University of Illinois

U.S.C.G. Certified Operator’s License – ocean/coastwise/western rivers, License No. 247517

Experience:

2006 – 2024              AIG Specialty-Marine Risk Consulting                                   

Assistant Vice President/US Marine Loss Control Engineer

1995 – 2006              Matthews, Matson & Kelley Ltd., New Orleans, LA 

Senior Staff Surveyor

1991 – 1995              ENMAR, Inc., New Orleans, LA

                                   Staff Surveyor

1988 – 1991              Toplis & Harding, Inc., Chicago, IL

                                   Senior Staff Surveyor

1981 – 1988              Stan Kays Marine Services, Inc., Joliet, IL

                                  President – Principal Marine Surveyor

1979 – 1981              Lemont Shipbuilding and Repair Company, Inc., Lemont, IL

                                   Shipyard Surveyor/Estimator

1974 – 1979              Cairo Marine Services, Inc., St. Louis, MO

                                   Staff Surveyor

Professional Affiliations/Qualifications

  • Lloyd’s Surveyor – Certified Marine Surveyor (Cargo)
  • CESAM  Surveyor-Certified Marine Surveyor (Cargo, Hull & Machinery)
  • COMISMAR Surveyor-Certified Marine Surveyor (Cargo)
  • Member of Marine Surveyor’s Guild – Certified Surveyor
  • (Cargo Hull & Machinery)

-Member-Mariners Club of the Port of New Orleans

Stan resides with his wife in Tiki Island, TX near Galveston.