C. Preston Herrington
Continental Underwriters Inc
Specialty: Forest Products
After a stint in the US Navy, including three years as a Navy Seal, Preston Herrington began his insurance career. He worked as an underwriter for various national insurance carriers before finding his way to the forest products insurance space in 1996. After spending 17 years at an MGA and wholesaler specializing in this niche, he decided to go out on his own. In 2013, Herrington established Continental Underwriters Inc., building a team with specialized experience in underwriting the risks of companies involved in every aspect of the forest products industry.
Although Herrington now devotes much of his time to the company’s strategy and growth, he still thrives on getting involved with underwriters, agents and insureds. Specializing in this industry, he says, is “a blessing in that working in one segment allows for a deep understanding of the unique aspects of the sector. While we never stop learning and honing our craft, a specific sector allows for a level of knowledge and expertise often unmatched by generalists.” However, he adds, it also can be “a curse in that it does not allow for sector diversity. If the sector is enjoying prosperity and growth, typically we follow that pattern. If it is experiencing economic challenges, then we feel that as well.”
