The premier key to the success of Petra is the synergistic alliance of leadership, vision,
and passion for success for our mission combined with the development of a strong organization.
and passion for success for our mission combined with the development of a strong organization.
Garnet J. Walters, MBA, LUTCF, President and CEO of Petra Insurance Group LLC, has over 30 years of insurance experience in agency management, recruiting, training, agency development and sales and service in the multiline insurance industry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nebraska and later earned his MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wyoming. Garnet has held various positions in the insurance industry: agent, corporate trainer, general agent, and agency manager. He is licensed in life, health, annuities, and property and casualty insurance. Additionally, he has experience as vice-president of sales and marketing for an insurance training e-learning company. Garnet is president and co-founder of “Increase the Peace,” a not-for-profit agency whose mission is to prevent youth violence and develop youth programs in the Chicagoland area. He previously served as the Village Clerk of Broadview, Illinois.
Jan Walters, Chief Learning Officer, has more than 20 years of experience in training and education. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education and her Masters in Curriculum Design from Northern Illinois University. With training certification from the Association for Training Development, Jan is experienced in recruiting, training, mentoring and evaluating working professionals as well as developing and managing volunteer leaders. As a project director for content development, she has designed and delivered high-volume, high-quality professional programming in a range of learning formats: online, face-to-face, and blended.
Arthell “Art” Davis, Chief Operating Officer, has 30 years of leadership experience in underwriting, B to B relationships, product development, benefit plan design, reinsurance, program management, niche marketing, and business expansion strategies. While serving as Senior Underwriter, Reinsurance Manager, Director, Assistant Vice President, and Vice President, for national insurance and reinsurance carriers, Art has been involved with a wide range of products and services, in both the domestic and international market places. He is also an experienced Agency President and Benefits Consultant. In his community support endeavors, Art is an Adult Education Math Instructor at a local community college. Art holds licenses in life, health, annuities, property, and casualty insurance, and has particular expertise in the employee and affinity groups. He completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduate studies in Mathematics at Chicago State University, and executive business training at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Marc Ruskin, ChFC, CLU, REBC, RHU, Vice President, Advanced Markets and Charitable Giving, has nearly 40 years of experience in insurance, financial planning, estate planning, life settlements and advanced markets. As a Chartered Financial Consultant and Registered Investment Adviser, Marc holds the following FINRA securities registrations: Series 6, 7, 22, 24, 26, 63 and 65. He has executive level financial services and field distribution proficiency with particular expertise in recruiting, financial advisor development and retention as well as advanced planning techniques and production growth. Marc is a published author on various estate planning, business insurance applications and life settlement concepts with expertise in training sales professionals on sophisticated insurance concepts. His professional education was completed and professional designations were earned at The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.
Pastor Lafayette McGary, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, is very involved in Church of God in Christ (COGIC) leadership. Prior to entering the ministry, he experienced success in the construction industry, both in building and demolition. He subsequently started his own real estate investment company, which specialized in rehabbing houses. He eventually felt the calling to dedicate his life to ministry and service. For several years, Pastor McGary has been the pastor of Reaching Out Ministries on the West side of Chicago and serves as the Midwest Regional Overseer in COGIC and has been appointed to the Office of the national Executive Board. Pastor McGary is also the assistant Superintendent of the Bishop Shepard Little Memorial District within the First Jurisdiction of Illinois Church of God in Christ.