Meet Our Team

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., where he leads a dedicated team that specializes in providing innovative insurance solutions for domestic and international airlines, corporate entities, charter services, cargo operations, and managed fleet aircraft. With over forty years of experience in the aviation industry, Mr. Lawson has firmly established himself as a prominent insurance professional. His diverse career encompasses roles as an aviation insurance underwriter, engineer, and professional pilot, and he has held notable positions at esteemed organizations such as United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. (USAIG), Cessna Aircraft Company, Raytheon, Bombardier Learjet, DynCorp Aerospace, and the United States Navy. His expertise in risk assessment, loss prevention, and effective negotiation has earned the trust of both underwriters and clients.

His commitment to excellence and his reputation as a trusted advisor distinguish him as a leader in the aviation insurance sector. He is recognized as a Loss Prevention Expert and Risk Management Consultant and is regarded as one of the most respected brokers in aviation insurance. Mr. Lawson is a licensed General Lines – Property Casualty and Resident Surplus Lines Insurance Agent and has previously served as an Aviation Insurance Underwriter with USAIG.

Mr. Lawson holds multiple distinguished designations in Property-Casualty, Risk Management, Marine, and Aviation Insurance, including:

• 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

Mr. Lawson’s commitment to the field began in the early 1980s. While studying at George T. Baker Aviation Maintenance School, he obtained an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic license, as well as an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) with a Ship Radar Endorsement. In 1986, he embarked on his aviation career as an Aircraft Mechanic for Pan American World Airways, Inc. (Pan Am).

While working as an A&P Mechanic, Mr. Lawson pursued his passion for flying at Miami-Dade College, where he received multiple associate degrees in Aeronautical Science by 1990. He subsequently served as a First Officer for U.S. Airways Express. In 1993, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Florida International University, thereafter, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Hartford in 1995 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Aviation (Av.D) from Florida Institute of Technology.

In 1997, he attended the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School as a Naval Aviator. Mr. Lawson is an FAA-licensed Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): Airplane Single & Multiengine Land, Rotorcraft-Helicopter, and is type rated in the HA-420 HondaJet. He also possesses Commercial Pilot Privileges for Airplane Single Engine Sea and Glider. With over 3,500 accident-free pilot hours and more than 2,500 hours of dual instruction given, he is a licensed FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI, G-CFI, AGI, IGI) and is recognized as a Master CFI by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

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.

Beyond his role as an insurance professional, he remains actively involved in the aviation community as a professor of aerospace science at a top U.S. college and as a contract corporate jet pilot.

Prior to establishing World Aerospace Insurance Services, Mr. Lawson held positions at various respected organizations, including:

* 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. His industry-wide trust and commitment to providing top-notch insurance services set him apart as a trusted adviser.

Mr. Lawson is married to Childa Lawson, a Swedish-born American and licensed Insurance Customer Service Representative. They reside in Southwest Ranches, Florida.

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 | 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 (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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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.”