The SERMAPod

The SERMAPod Ep. 113 | Welcome New Advisory Board Members

We’re excited to welcome five outstanding leaders to the SERMA Advisory Board! •  Emily Buckley - Insurance Risk Manager at Specialized Bicycle Components •  Tahia Carr - Risk Project Manager at Invited Clubs •  Jessica Lauren - Vice President, Business Development at Entrusted Administrators & Subrogation •  Virginia Pederson - Partner at Mayer •  Steve Washkalavitch - Senior Vice President at Marsh These leaders represent the innovation, expertise and collaboration that define the sports and entertainment risk industry. Their insight and experience will play an important role in guiding SERMA’s strategic vision and advancing our mission. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ [https://www.theserma.org/] And a big thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/ [https://magnals.com/]

The SERMAPod Ep. 112 | Country Roads, Closed Shows: Weather Chaos and Concert Insurance

What really happens behind the scenes when a concert or festival gets canceled due to weather? In this episode of the SERMAPod, Shalom Suniula is joined by Roger Sandau, JR Justice, and Caleb Heckley to discuss the risk management, insurance, and safety considerations that drive difficult decisions at major live events. Using recent examples like Stagecoach and Zach Bryan’s canceled Tulsa show, the group explores weather preparedness, event cancellation coverage, liability concerns, and how operators balance fan expectations with public safety.  Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ [https://www.theserma.org/] And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/ [https://magnals.com/]

The SERMAPod Ep, 111 | Managing Chairlift Risk

Rich Lenkov interviews Michael Nellis, Vermont’s Passenger Tramway Supervisor, about ski lift safety and risk management. The conversation covers recent incidents, inspection standards, operational challenges, and how technology and training are shaping safer ski resort operations.  Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ [https://www.theserma.org/] And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/ [https://magnals.com/]

The SERMAPod Ep. 110 | HIRMA-SERMA Strategic Partnership

SERMA founder and CEO Rich Lenkov sits down with leaders from the Hispanic Insurance and Risk Management Association, Carlos Luis Rodriguez, Rose De Leon, and Noemi Oliver, to discuss HIRMA’s mission, the value of diverse perspectives in risk management, and why the industry offers more opportunity than most people realize. The conversation also touches on communication breakdowns in claims, mentorship, and preparing the next generation. Plus, insights on emerging risks, including climate challenges and business continuity, and a look at the growing SERMA–HIRMA partnership. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ [https://www.theserma.org/] HIRMA: https://hirma.org/ [https://hirma.org/] And a special thanks to our podcast sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/ [https://magnals.com/]

The SERMAPod Ep. 109 | For Cause or For Cash? Jerome Tang v Kansas State

Kansas State’s decision to fire head basketball coach Jerome Tang “for cause” has sparked a legal dispute with major financial implications. In this episode, Matt Liller is joined by sports law professor Sam Ehrlich to unpack the controversy, including the role of Tang’s postgame comments, the meaning of “objectionable behavior” in coaching contracts, and how schools use for-cause designations as negotiation leverage. The conversation also examines what each side would need to prove if the case is litigated, how similar disputes have played out, and how the modern college sports landscape, shaped by NIL and the transfer portal, may influence future cases.  Professor Ehrlich: https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe-management/faculty-staff/sam-c-ehrlich-jd-ph-d/ [https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe-management/faculty-staff/sam-c-ehrlich-jd-ph-d/] Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ [https://www.theserma.org/] And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/ [https://magnals.com/]