Meet Our Team

Raymond B. Lawson

Raymond B. Lawson, MBA, CPCU, AMIM
FCC GROL w/ RE | FAA A&P | ATP: ASEL, AMEL, HELI | Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI CFI-G | NAFI Master CFI | Designated Aviation Safety Counselor

Chairman | Managing Director

Raymond B. Lawson is the Founder and Managing Director of World Aerospace Insurance Services, Inc. He is a former Aviation Insurance Underwriter, Engineer, Professional Pilot, Instructor and Aviation Insurance Expert with over 37 years of experience.

Mr. Lawson is a Loss Prevention Expert | Risk Management Consultant and one of the most well-known Brokers in Aviation Insurance.

He is a Licensed General Lines – Property Casualty and Resident Surplus Lines Insurance Agent and former Aviation Insurance Underwriter with United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG)

Mr. Lawson holds the following distinguished designations for the Property-Casualty, Risk Management, Marine and Aviation Insurance Professional:

  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) issued by The Institutes (a.k.a. the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (AICPCU) and the Insurance Institute of America (IIA))
  • Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) also issued by The Institutes.
  • Certified Aviation Insurance Professional (CAIP) issued by Aviation Insurance Association

Beyond his expertise in aviation insurance, Mr. Lawson is deeply rooted in the aviation industry. He serves as a Professor of Aerospace Sciences at a top U.S. college, as a contract Corporate Jet Pilot and comes from a family legacy of aviation professionals – the son of an FAA Aviation Accident Investigator.

Mr. Lawson is no stranger to hard work! While earning both an FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic license and the Avionics Maintenance Technician’s FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) with Ship Radar Endorsement (RE) from George T. Baker Aviation Maintenance School, he began his aviation career as an Aircraft Mechanic for Pan American World Airways, Inc. (Pan Am) in 1986.

While working as an A&P Mechanic, Mr. Lawson learned to fly at Miami-Dade College (formerly Miami-Dade Community College) earning several Associate degree(s) in Aeronautical Science in 1990 and later flew as a first officer for U.S. Airways Express. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental En from Florida International University in 1993, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Hartford in 1995 and attended U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School as a Naval Aviator in 1997. He is an FAA-licensed Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): Airplane Single & Multiengine Land, Rotorcraft-Helicopter; HA-420; Commercial Pilot Privileges; Airplane Single Engine Sea; Glider with over 3,500 accident-free pilot hours, an FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI, G-CFI, AGI, IGI) with over 2,500 hours of dual instruction given, a designated FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, and is recognized by the National Association of Flight Instructors as a Master CFI.

In 2005, he established World Aerospace Insurance Services with the goal of providing our clients unmatched industry-specific insurance knowledge, experience and expertise which we leverage to negotiate the most favorable comprehensive tailored insurance programs possible. Mr. Lawson is directly and personally involved in the daily administration of the firm, as well as all major accounts.

Mr. Lawson specializes in insuring domestic and international airlines, charters, corporate, and managed fleet aircraft.

Prior to founding World Aerospace Insurance Services, Inc., Mr. Lawson worked for the following well-known organizations:

* United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. (USAU) | United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG)

* U.S. Airways Express

* Cessna Aircraft Company

* Bombardier Learjet

* Raytheon Aircraft Company

* American Trans Air (ATA)

* Evergreen International

* Amerijet International

* DynCorp Aerospace

* Pan American World Airways, Inc. (Pan Am)

* United States Navy (USN)

Because of his years of one-on-one experience with virtually every type of aviation operation, Mr. Lawson has earned industry-wide trust. Underwriters have confidence in his judgment concerning accurate assessment of risks and loss experience, resulting in his ability to negotiate the best coverage possible for our customers, and the most successful settlements for all concerned should a claim ever arise.

Mr. Lawson is married to Childa Lawson, a Swedish born American and licensed Insurance CSR | Customer Service Representative. They live in Davie Florida with their little girl, Chloe.

Recommendations:

David Senior
President at DSR Aviation Services, Inc.

“Ray is an extremely competent aviation insurance agent and trusted adviser with in-depth knowledge of aircraft maintenance operations. His agency negotiates our general liability, auto and workers’ compensation coverage worldwide. They’ve been exceedingly responsive and up to date on all relevant matters. A great advocate for their clients.”

Dan Deutermann

Chief Pilot, Bell 412EPi Sentinel Program / RSG AeroDesign, LLC.

“Raymond is a consummate professional that delivers sound aviation insurance options for our clients. His direct experience with aviation as a pilot and instructor help to ensure the customer gets a balanced insurance portfolio that meets the needs of their operation.”

Michael J. Batchelor

Michael J. Batchelor | Loss Control and Risk Management

World Aerospace Insurance Services | Aviation Insurance

Mr. Batchelor is a solid Aviation professional with over 30 years of real world commercial and corporate aviation experience.

He is a former Aircraft Maintenance Technician | FAA licensed A&P Mechanic and has proven ability in implementing loss control procedures.

Mr. Batchelor is an expert at supervising the development and management of loss control programs.

His extensive technical and management experience with aircraft operators, helicopter operators and Non flag carrying airlines allows him to evaluate these type operations and establish loss control objectives, as well as select and monitor control measures.

Mr. Batchelor brings over thirty years of technical and management experience with the following type operators:

Boeing 757, 767, 737, 747, Airbus A320, McDonnal Douglas MD 80/DC-9, Learjet 25 ,35 ,55 ,60, Hawker 700, Folker 100, King Air 200, Beech Jet 400, Beech 1900, Falcon 20, 50, Cessna Citation all models, Gulfstream II, III, IV, and BBJ aircraft.

Recommendations:

Bruce Gilbert
Instrumentation Technician Flying Test Bed

“I have been in the Aerospace Industry for over 30 years and seldom do you come to know someone like Mike. In the aircraft business a lot of people come and go and some will not help you unless there is something in it for them. It is refreshing working with Michael because I can always turn to him for information and direction.”

Don Greeson
VonJet Aviation Partners, Inc / Capital Interfunding, Inc.

“Mike is well versed and qualified to provide effective insight in the technical aspects of both the corporate aircraft and airline segments of the industry. He effectively combines this with a keen understanding of the operational, regulatory and business focus areas. Mike is results driven.

I’ve enjoyed working with Mike on a professional level and getting to know him as a loyal friend. He is responsive to challenges, which I have seen him turn into opportunities. When consulting, Mike effectively addresses issues needing attention, or in the case of a business vision, launch or expansion, Mike provides hands on involvement that allows realistic goals to be achieved. Whether working independently or as a team member, I have found Mike to be very effective. This is enhanced by Mike’s extensive network that includes resources and individuals in a variety of positions throughout the industry.”

Benny F. Benitez USNR

Benny F. Benitez USNR (Ret.) | Aviation Claims Specialist

World Aerospace Insurance Services | Aviation Insurance

Mr. Benitez is an FAA licensed Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic, a former U.S. Naval Flight Engineer and a former Aviation Claims Adjuster, Airclaims Ltd. with over 35 years experience.

“During my appointment within service of Underwriters within the Lloyd’s Syndicate, i.e. Lloyd’s of London, I oversaw all claims handling within the Western Hemisphere, Latin American and Caribbean region. These duties included, but were not limited to overseeing the post-crash salvage of aviation assets within any geographical region to include aquatic salvage of aircraft hulls. Manage all applicable funds as provided by Underwriters reserves with salvage project budget management all the while the above task being accomplished in English, Spanish and Portuguese. As secondary duty provided clients with effective, well tailor aviation risk assessments and risk mitigation programs for operations ranging from single aircraft operation to region, national airlines.”

He is also the Founder & CEO of our alliance partner 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group.

Mr. Benitez serves as a liaison between the aviation claims adjusters and World Aerospace Insurance Services’s clients to ensure that claims are processed properly and efficiently.

jason-c-killings.jpg

Jason C. Killings, Account Executive

World Aerospace Insurance Services | Aviation Insurance

Mr. Killings holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Aviation from the University of North Dakota and is an FAA Licensed Airplane Single & Multiengine Land; Commercial Instrument rated pilot with over 1,500 logged pilot hours, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII) and a former professional pilot (Corporate / Industrial Aid).

He is a Licensed General Lines – Property Casualty Insurance Agent with extensive experience in Property Casualty and Life Insurance having managed one of the largest full service Allstate Agencies in South Florida.

Recommendations:

Peter Holmes
Citation Excel/XLS Captain at Gama Aviation

“Jason was a pleasure to deal with in acquiring an updated policy for our private jet. Not only was the process painless, but I seamlessly learned a lot about aerospace insurance just by conversing with Jason.

Not only was he personable, polite, and, diligent in the entire process, he saved us a lot of money and negotiated with underwriters to provide better protection of our assets.

In the coming years I look forward to the level of personal service I am sure he will provide.”

Jamie Torrealba

Jamie Torrealba

World Aerospace Insurance Services | Marine Insurance

Mr. Torrealba brings over 25 years of marine brokerage experience.

He is also an owner/partner of our alliance partner, eBoatLoans/ eYachtLoans a well known yacht finance brokerage firm established in 1999.  His commitment to excellent service is evident in the growth of his referral book of business from customers, and boat dealers nationwide.

Recommendations:

Lisa Ann Vullo

“Jamie was recommend to me a few years ago by a maritime attorney colleague who worked closely with Jamie already. I had a difficult client to place for financing and Jamie – true to form – came through for us, right on time, and the deal closed successfully. Much thanks to Jamie’s connections, tenacity, and honesty. We’ve had a close working relationship ever since and he’s never done anything to tarnish that trust in him. He has a pulse on his industry and a great reputation.”

Denise Luci

Denise Luci, Office Administrator

Mrs. Luci holds a Doctorate Degree with 40 plus years experience.  She supports the customer service department, management and the entire company in a variety of functions; computer assistance, mass mailings, company newsletters and record retention.

Childa D. Lawson

Childa D. Lawson, Accounting

Mrs. Lawson assist with agency bookkeeping and following up on outstanding payments.

Recommendations:

Joe Brooks
Managing Partner Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

“She is professional, results driven and a proven leader. It was always a pleasure to work with her.”

Aida Torrealba

Aida Torrealba, Customer Services

Mrs. Torrealba earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Florida Metropolitan University and handles each customer’s needs with extreme care and attention to detail. She guaranties that the process is easy throughout and maintains an excellent customer service record.

Recommendations:

Casey Heer
President at Casey Insurance Group

“Aida is a true professional and I would recommend her services for my clients any day of the week.”