Our adjusters combine deep maritime and transportation claims experience with legal training. Reach any member of our team directly, or call the office at (908) 272-9060.
President, Senior Legal Adjuster
Principal and co-founder of the Walters Nixon Group (1996), with more than 25 years of experience handling liability claims matters. A graduate of the University of South Florida and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Mike is admitted to the Florida and Ohio Bar Associations (inactive) and is a member of the U.S. Maritime Law Association, the Association of Average Adjusters, and the Trucking Industry Defense Association.
Senior Adjuster
Susel graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Criminology (2001) and earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law (2007). She spent six years as a paralegal, gaining significant experience in civil law and the claims process, and has independently handled hundreds of litigation files from beginning to end. She is fluent in Spanish and has been with the Walters Nixon Group since 2008.
Senior Adjuster
Connor graduated from Santa Clara University in 2015, where he majored in Political Science and History with an emphasis in United States history. He has worked for the Walters Nixon Group in a limited capacity since 2011 and full time since 2015.
Senior Adjuster
A resident of Dartmouth, MA, Jeff has been immersed in the maritime history of the greater New Bedford area since 1978. He studied journalism and business administration at UMass Dartmouth, then spent years in transportation and logistics before joining his family's marine safety consulting firm, where he worked as a P&I claims investigator and case manager for 14 years — handling on-scene incident investigation, seaman's benefits administration, claim exposure evaluation, settlement resolution, and legal defense support. He joined WNG in 2023.
Adjuster
Devin graduated from the University of Delaware in 2020 with a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. He interned in the Accounting Department at Eagle Pharmaceuticals following graduation and began working for the Walters Nixon Group in 2022.
Marine Surveyor
Ian Duff is a New Bedford-based SAMS-credentialed marine surveyor, with decades of fiberglass boatbuilding, steel shipbuilding, commercial fishing, and licensed USCG captain experience. He also has significant experience as a technology executive and consultant. Ian is a member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors®, American Boat and Yacht Council® and US Sailing®. Ian joined WNG in 2025.
Adjuster
Andrew Simas is a Licensed Insurance Adjuster (CALA) based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Andrew earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Master of Business Administration from Quinnipiac University. He began his insurance career with Travelers Insurance and later joined Blue Harvest Fisheries as a sales representative, where he developed firsthand knowledge of the commercial fishing industry and maritime operations. Andrew currently specializes in Protection and Indemnity (P&I) matters, with a primary focus on Jones Act claims. He joined WNG in 2026.
Adjuster
Chrissy has worked in the insurance industry for over 15 years, specializing in Jones Act claims, with a strong background in minimizing litigation expense through attentiveness and conflict resolution with mariners at all levels. She is well versed in Collective Bargaining Agreements and maritime unions, and has experience with commercial shipping, sealift command fleets, dredging, ferry systems, and commercial fishing companies. She is a licensed adjuster in 32 states.
