Executive Team

Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr., CIW – Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Duesenberg, Jr. has been with Southern Insurance Underwriters, Inc. since 1976. Previously, he was employed by the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, and as a tax accountant for Law Engineering Testing Company. Mr. Duesenberg holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Emory University; a Masters Degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Insurance from Georgia State University. Mr. Duesenberg is the CEO of SIU and its affiliate companies. He is a Past-President of the American Association of Managing General Agents (1987-88), Founder and past Chancellor of the AAMGA University (1988-1998), and he led the formation of the AAMGA Distinguished Chair in Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University (GSU). Mr. Duesenberg was also the recipient of the Vince Donahue Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Currently he is the Treasurer and Trustee of the Risk Management Foundation at GSU.

Wesley C. (Tripp) Duesenberg, III, CIW – President
Mr. Duesenberg, III has been with SIU since 2002. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree from Samford University and attending Georgia State Universitys RMI program, Mr. Duesenberg spent time interning with carriers and brokers such as Scottsdale Insurance Company, Bell & Clements (Lloyds of London) & American Modern. Since 2002, Mr. Duesenberg has worked in each of the SIU departments including holding the Vice President position for Marketing and Operations. Mr. Duesenberg was the AAMGA Under Forty Organization President from 2009-2010. In 2014, the SIU administration transferred to the third generation as Mr. Duesenberg was promoted to President.

John W. LaMay, Jr., – Chief Financial Officer and President of SIUPREM, Inc.
Mr. LaMay has been with SIU since 1991 and oversees all the financial operations of SIU and its affiliated companies. As President of SIUPREM, he is responsible for the integrity and profitable growth of the premium finance company. As a corporate leader, Mr. LaMay continues to advance the SIUPREM Cares campaign in the fight against breast cancer. He holds an associate degree in Business Administration from DeKalb Community College as well as a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. Prior to coming to SIU, Mr. LaMay worked in the Banking industry and then entered the insurance industry as an accountant for a MGA.

Tara Gudenkauf, – Senior Vice President of Underwriting
Ms. Gudenkauf has been with SIU since 2023 and oversees our Underwriting Team for all divisions. She holds more than 35 years of combined industry knowledge and is a highly experienced E&S leader.  In addition to cultivating ongoing relationships with many carriers, Ms. Gudenkauf brings a great deal of hands-on knowledge for Brokerage, P&C, Professional Liability, Environmental, Garage and others. She has a strong leadership background and has provided oversight for multiple offices in various states. Prior to coming to SIU, Ms. Gudenkauf was the Head of Binding for the entire South Region for another MGA.