Zion Underwriting is a transactional risk insurance program delivering tailored solutions for mergers, acquisitions and structured transactions. We specialize in representations and warranties, tax and contingent risk insurance, helping clients enhance deal certainty and mitigate financial exposure.
Jim Gara
Chief Revenue Officer
Jim Gara is the Chief Revenue Officer of Novacore, responsible for overseeing the company’s external market presence and driving strategic growth across the platform. In this role, Jim leads the development and expansion of key relationships with carriers, brokers and strategic partners, ensuring alignment between Novacore’s underwriting capabilities and evolving market opportunities.
Jim plays a central role in shaping and executing Novacore’s revenue strategy, working closely with segment leaders to identify new areas of growth while reinforcing the company’s commitment to disciplined underwriting and long-term profitability. His leadership helps position Novacore as a trusted partner across its specialty programs and distribution network.
With extensive experience in casualty underwriting and national account programs, Jim has a proven track record of scaling specialty insurance businesses in a thoughtful and sustainable way. He is known for his ability to balance growth with underwriting rigor, foster strong partnerships across the industry and drive consistent performance in complex and competitive markets.
Joe Christman
Chief Technology & AI Officer
Joe Christman is Novacore’s Chief Technology & AI Officer, working closely with the executive leadership team to advance the company’s technology and AI strategy.
Joe brings deep experience driving transformation through AI, data, and scalable technology across high-growth organizations. At Novacore, he focuses on building flexible, future-ready platforms that enhance underwriting, operations, and analytics while supporting long-term growth across the business.
Prior to joining Novacore, Joe was a Director and Operating Partner at New Mountain Capital, where he led AI initiatives across portfolio companies. Previously, he served as Vice President at Chicago Pacific Founders, leading AI-driven value creation within healthcare investments. Earlier in his career, Joe led large-scale AI transformation programs at McKinsey & Company and helped establish QuantumBlack in North America.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University.
Trey Varner
General Counsel
Trey Varner joined Novacore in 2026 as General Counsel, where he leads the company’s legal, regulatory, and corporate governance functions across its national MGA platform. He is responsible for overseeing legal risk management, compliance strategy, contract governance, and corporate governance in support of Novacore’s growth objectives.
In his role, Trey partners closely with the executive team, business partners, and private equity stakeholders to support strategic initiatives, including M&A, platform integrations, and regulatory compliance. He focuses on building scalable legal and compliance infrastructure, standardizing contracts and processes, and aligning legal discipline with sound business judgment.
Before joining Novacore, Trey spent more than 15 years as an in-house attorney and senior executive advising high-growth, multi-entity businesses operating nationwide. His experience includes supporting acquisitions, managing complex commercial and real estate transactions, and establishing enterprise compliance frameworks. He earned his Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory & Henry University.
Chris Laws
Chief Financial Officer
Chris Laws is the Chief Financial Officer of Novacore, bringing extensive experience in finance, operations, and strategic growth across private equity-backed and high-growth organizations. At Novacore, Chris oversees the company’s financial operations and partners closely with executive leadership to drive performance, scalability and long-term value creation across the platform.
Prior to joining Novacore, Chris served as Chief Financial Officer of Hand & Stone Franchise Corporation, the fastest-growing spa franchise in the massage and facial industry, with more than 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Earlier in his career, he was the CFO and held operational leadership roles at Amtech Software, Veterinary Practice Partners and PetroChoice Distribution, where he led finance, IT, sale operations and M&A initiatives supporting significant growth. Chris began his career as an investment professional in private equity.
Chris is known for bringing a strategic, hands-on approach to finance, combining deep investment experience with operational leadership to help businesses grow thoughtfully and sustainably.
Steve Picciocchi
Chief People Officer
With over 25 years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, Steve Picciocchi is a SHRM-SCP and SPHR-certified professional recognized for driving strategic growth, cultivating strong workplace cultures, and guiding organizations through all stages of the business lifecycle. Results-oriented and forward-thinking, Steve is deeply committed to leveraging every aspect of the HR discipline to support both people and performance.
As Chief People Officer at Novacore, Steve oversees all facets of human capital strategy, organizational development, and culture for a diverse, multi-segment enterprise. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Human Resources at Villanova University for ten years, where he prepares professionals for SHRM and HRCI national certification exams and teaches courses that align with Villanova’s leadership in HR education.
Throughout his career, Steve has earned a reputation for embracing challenges, solving complex organizational problems with creativity and empathy, and fostering meaningful connections across every level of the workforce. His expertise spans employment law, employee relations, mentoring, and change management. Steve is known for balancing people-first values with sound business judgment, ensuring that HR remains both a strategic and human function.
Jonathan Costello
Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan is responsible for overseeing all financial operations and activities, including maintaining a focus on value creation by providing meaningful and timely insights and actionable strategic advice to business partners across the organization. Prior to Novacore, Jonathan was SVP Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Solenis, a global specialty chemical company, leading more than $1 billion in growth-oriented acquisitions. Jonathan is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Phil Dwyer
EVP, Head of Corporate Development
Phil Dwyer joined Novacore in April 2025 as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, where he leads the company’s strategic planning, M&A execution and corporate development function.
In his role, Phil is responsible for identifying and executing acquisitions, partnerships and growth initiatives that complement Novacore’s technology-forward specialty insurance platform.
Before joining Novacore, Phil built his career in the insurance space, focusing on corporate development and financial planning & analysis. He has worked across both the property & casualty and life insurance verticals, gaining deep domain knowledge in multiple facets of the insurance ecosystem. Phil earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Villanova University.
Chase Clark
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Underwriting Officer
Chase began his career at HCC, where he spent over a decade developing deep expertise in aviation underwriting, ultimately serving as Assistant Vice President. In 2009, he joined Skyward Specialty Insurance, where he led the Commercial General Aviation division with a global focus. His role expanded over the years to include global property underwriting for Fortune 1000 clients and a pivotal leadership position as Head of Ceded Reinsurance, overseeing all treaty placements and claims collections.
As Chief Risk Officer, Chase established a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework, including capital modeling and annual AM Best presentations. More recently, he served as CUO/COO of Programs and Captives, managing a growing $600M+ portfolio and chairing the company’s Underwriting Committee to evaluate new business opportunities.
In 2025, Chase joined Novacore as CUO/COO, where he oversees core operational and performance functions spanning Underwriting, Claims, Audit and Data & Analytics. His leadership continues to drive strategic growth, operational discipline, and robust risk management across the organization.
Aaron Miller
Chief Executive Officer
Aaron Miller is the Chief Executive Officer of Novacore, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across the domestic and international insurance and reinsurance marketplaces.
Aaron has a proven track record of driving profitable growth, strengthening underwriting performance and leading teams through complex market cycles. Before being named CEO of Novacore, he served as Chief Commercial Lines Officer at NSM Insurance Group, where he oversaw the broad portfolio of specialty insurance programs and distribution channels.
Prior to his tenure at NSM, Aaron was President of Risk Point, a managing general underwriter specializing in Auto, where he spent over seven years in senior leadership roles that shaped the organization’s strategic expansion and operational efficiency.
Earlier in his career, Aaron held various positions at top-tier insurance carriers including Travelers and Progressive, where he gained deep expertise in underwriting, risk management and market development across multiple lines of business.
Throughout his career, Aaron has been recognized for his collaborative leadership style, industry insight and commitment to building innovative, data-driven insurance solutions. At Novacore, he leads the company’s vision to advance specialty insurance through strategic growth, technology integration and strong partner alignment.
