A Foundation Built on
Trust and Discipline.
A disciplined approach to reinsurance built on
technical expertise, trusted partnerships and
three decades of regional experience.
About US
IRM is a specialist reinsurance Managing
General Underwriter based in Miami, serving
insurers across the Caribbean and Latin
America.
Why IRM?
Our approach combines deep regional expertise with the strength of globally rated reinsurance partners, allowing us to deliver solutions that are both locally informed and institutionally robust.
It is grounded in clarity of appetite, thoughtful risk selection, and a commitment to sustainable outcomes across market cycles.
The Principles That
Guide Our Work
IRM’s values shape how we manage risk, deploy
capital and build trusted relationships.
Trust
Trust is the foundation of our business. Built over decades of long-term relationships, we operate with integrity, consistency, and accountability. Clients rely on us to act responsibly, communicate clearly and follow through.
Expertise
We bring deep technical knowledge across underwriting, claims, risk management and regional market dynamics. Decisions are informed by experience, data and disciplined judgement.
Discipline
We take a measured, structured approach to managing risk, capital and performance. Decisions are thoughtful, balanced, and focused on long-term outcomes rather than short-term gains.
Partnership
We work collaboratively with insurers, treating relationships as long-term partnerships rather than transactions. Success is shared and solutions are tailored, not one-size-fits-all.
Clarity
We value clear communication, transparency and straightforward advice. Even in a complex industry, we prioritise understanding and alignment.
Progress
We respect our legacy while actively investing in the future. Our business embraces improvement, innovation and evolution in how it operates, communicates and delivers value.
Strength, Structure and Stability.
IRM is intentionally built for stability. We value continuity over speed, quality over volume, and partnership over transaction. In practice, that means we work alongside our clients and partners as a trusted partner in risk; supporting sound decision-making, dependable execution, and long-term outcomes.
Guided by Experience.
Moving with Purpose.
IRM Leadership Team
Brendan Barry
Head of Insurance
Brendan Barry is an accomplished underwriting executive with over 30 years of international experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry. He brings deep expertise in general management, underwriting leadership, and strategic transformation across diverse markets, including the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean.
Prior to joining IRM, Brendan held executive roles at Aran Re (Cayman) Ltd., where he served as founding CEO and Chief Underwriting Officer, leading the company through initial capitalization and the launch of its longevity risk platform. He also served as Chief Underwriting Officer at Greenlight Re (Nasdaq: GLRE), where he was instrumental in restructuring the business and implementing a disciplined underwriting strategy that improved profitability and expanded the firm’s global footprint.
Earlier in his career, Brendan held senior underwriting roles at Platinum Underwriters in Bermuda and began his insurance journey in Dublin with positions at Hannover Re, QBE, and claims roles at FBD Insurance. He holds an MBA from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a post-graduate diploma in statistics from Trinity College Dublin, and a BA in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.
Brendan serves on the boards of several insurance-related entities, where he contributes his underwriting and governance expertise.
Armando Echeverri
President of Life and Health, Caribbean
A recognized leader in Caribbean health reinsurance. With IRM since 2001, Armando has held senior roles across marketing, underwriting, business development, and claims administration.
Holds a degree in Marketing (University Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá) and the Associate Reinsurance Administration (ARA) designation from LOMA.
Oscar Verduzco
President of Life and Health, Latin America
A seasoned insurance and reinsurance executive with 28 years of experience across Life, Health, and Personal Accident markets in Latin America. Actuary (UNAM).
Formerly held senior roles at GE Frankona (ERC) and MetLife. Appointed to his current role in 2025, leading regional growth and strategy.
Miriam Diaz
Vice President Operations & Claims
With over 17 years of experience in the reinsurance industry, Miriam brings a wealth of cross-functional expertise and leadership to the executive team. Holding a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management, she combines in-depth industry knowledge with strategic insight into healthcare systems and risk management.
Her career has encompassed roles in finance, underwriting, claims, and case management, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics within risk and healthcare administration. This depth and breadth of experience enable her to lead with clarity, drive operational improvements, and deliver high-quality outcomes for clients and partners alike.
Additionally, Miriam leads our claims concierge team which overseas and manages the provision of healthcare for our clients with more significant care needs and overseas healthcare provision.
Alejandro Zuñiga (Consultant)
Executive Vice President – Property Facultative LATAM
Alejandro Zuñiga, brings over 19 years of underwriting and leadership experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, with a proven track record of building and scaling profitable portfolios across Latin America. An engineer by training, Alejandro has held senior roles at globally recognized carriers including Allianz, Zurich, Chubb (formerly ACE), and most recently Odyssey Re.
Alejandro began his insurance career in 2010 with Allianz Mexico and held increasingly senior underwriting and leadership roles before joining Odyssey Re in 2016. There, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s Facultative and Agro lines across the region and was appointed Chief Underwriting Officer for Latin America in 2021.
Based in Mexico City, Alejandro has consistently delivered strong underwriting performance while developing deep relationships with key brokers, cedents, and stakeholders across the region. His unique combination of technical expertise, market insight, and commercial acumen makes him ideally suited to lead the Latin America segment for the MGU.
Alejandro’s leadership will be critical to driving disciplined underwriting, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring sustainable growth as the MGU expands its footprint across the region.
Claudio Castillo
Director of IT and Data Management
Claudio Castillo oversees IT strategy and data operations at International Reinsurance Managers, LLC, where he leads the design and implementation of systems supporting underwriting, claims, compliance, and reporting functions. With a strong foundation in data science and software engineering, Claudio focuses on building tools that transform raw information into actionable insights enabling smarter, faster decisions across the organization.
Since joining IRM in 2019, he has developed and deployed key platforms, including actuarial quoting systems, internal CRMs, and AI-assisted compliance tools. His leadership ensures data is not just collected but strategically applied to improve accuracy, efficiency, and risk management.
Claudio holds a Master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics from Florida Atlantic University and teaches courses in Business Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence at Miami Dade College.
The IRM Board
Matt B. Houghton, BBE
Chair of the Board
Matt has gained a unique perspective in business through his extensive experience in the creation and management of successful companies in Canada, Mexico, USA and the Cayman Islands. He attributes his success in business to attracting great team members and building organizations that provide exceptional customer service.
As the current Chairperson, and previous CEO of GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions Matt was proud to be part of an organization that is developing unique products and services for the Canadian benefits marketplace. GroupHEALTH is known for its client-centered approach, which provides highly innovative solutions that contain benefit costs and keep client programs sustainable.
Matt scaled this company from 70 to over 1,000 employees before selling the business to Munich Re in March of 2021.
He is also Chair of the Board of FortCay Family Office, a Multi-Family Office domiciled in the Cayman Islands that provide advise to Families and invests in a variety of businesses.
Matt believes strongly in collaborating with and supporting other business leaders and as such, he is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
June Chen, MS, MA
Board Member
Holds Master’s degrees in science and mathematics from the Liaoning University of China and the University of Miami, respectively. During her over 20-year career, Mrs. Chen worked as a software developer and actuary for a pension consulting company, a pension software company, and a life insurance company.
She joined IRM in 1996 as director of underwriting and technical services, was promoted to senior vice president in 2004, and appointed CEO and President in December 2007. Mrs. Chen led the company for nearly two decades before retiring from her role as President and CEO in 2025.
Valentina Araneda, CPA, CGA, ICD.D
Group CFO – HFO
Valentina is the Chief Financial Officer of the HFO Family of Companies, where she leads Finance, M&A, and Compliance, and helps shape the strategic and operational direction of multiple entities. She joined HFO in 2024, bringing senior leadership experience across group benefits, insurance, manufacturing, construction, and aerospace sectors.
Valentina serves on several corporate boards and previously served (2019–2024) on the board of the Act West Community Foundation, a not-for-profit supporting single mothers in completing post-secondary education.
She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), an active member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Our Partnerships
IRM’s platform is supported by long-standing partnerships with highly respected global reinsurance organizations. These relationships reflect continuity, credibility, and aligned long-term perspectives.
Long-standing global reinsurance partner supporting IRM’s Caribbean portfolio since 2005.
Global reinsurance platform offering structured capacity and a focused, risk-led underwriting approach.
Established European insurance and reinsurance group with a strong balance sheet and long term market perspective.
Unparalleled access to the largest U.S. provider network with claims administration, health programs, and high-touch care navigation for international members.
Supporting IRM’s Latin American business since 2015, demonstrating continuity through corporate transition.