Management Team
Timothy Lafrey
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. LaFrey has been our Chief Executive Officer of API since April 2007. He is also the
President and Chief Operating Officer of APS. He previously served as a partner in the Austin office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP from April 1997 until April 2007, where his law practice focused on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and debt and equity financings. Mr. LaFrey has extensive experience in the insurance, healthcare, technology and financial services industries. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. LaFrey, who is also a certified public accountant, was in the audit practice of KPMG Peat Marwick in Austin. He maintains memberships in the American Bar Association, The State Bar of Texas and the Travis County Bar Association. He is also a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Seton Healthcare System.
Maury Magids
President & Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Magids has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2000. He joined API in 1996 as Senior Vice President of Operations. He previously worked for Arthur Andersen LLP in Houston, TX for over ten years serving first as Audit Manager, and ultimately Director of Business Development for the SW Region. Mr. Magids is a licensed Property and Casualty Agent and a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas. He is also a member of the Young Presidents' Organization. Mr. Magids is a Board Member of the HeartGift Foundation, the Greater Austin Chamber, and the Texas Medical Liability Insurance Underwriting Association (JUA). He holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin and a M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Vicky Gould
Vice President - Claims
Ms. Gould has served as Vice President of the Claims Department since 1996. She came to API in July 1991 as an adjuster, became a claims supervisor and ultimately Vice President. She began handling claims in 1985 as a multi-lines adjuster for Employers Casualty Company. She has also worked for Transamerica, AIAC (AIG), and Regional Claims (Clarendon National). Ms. Gould earned a B. A. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin. She serves on the Legal and Claims Committee of TAPA and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Perinatal Medicine and Law, UC Davis Health System.
Heather Spicer
Director of Underwriting
Ms. Spicer joined the API team in 2007 as the Director of Underwriting. She graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio. Heather then earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma, with a year of specialization in health law at the University of Houston’s Health Law and Policy Institute. While in law school, Heather worked in the Risk Management Department of the Methodist Health Care System in Houston. She then practiced as a medical malpractice and mass tort defense litigator in New York City where she defended individual physicians, dentists, large hospitals, and manufacturers. Her mass tort experience includes the areas of asbestos, medical and cosmetic implants, and prescription medications. Most recently, she has worked for a major multiline insurance company, both in New York and Dallas, before relocating to Austin.
Mark Keeney
Director of Physician Services
Mr. Keeney has served as Director of Physician Services since August 2005 after being promoted from the API Claims Department. He joined API’s Claims Department in 1996 as a Claims Consultant. Previously, he worked with Employers Casualty Company as a Claims Supervisor adjusting multi-line claims. Prior to beginning his insurance career, he worked in Central Texas as a clinical social worker. He attended Ohio State University and Central Connecticut State University earning a B. A. in psychology.
Services Department
Underwriting
Responsible for underwriting all applications as well as all renewing policies, this team represents many years of insurance experience and a diverse set of backgrounds. The Department's main objective is making smart underwriting decisions for the purpose of continuing the endurance and success API has demonstrated over the past 30 years into the future. The team represents many years of risk analysis, financial analysis and insurance experience, all dedicated to making the most sound decisions for the long term stability and strength of the company. This discipline ultimately helps generate profitability and surplus growth. The Underwriting Team also continues to demonstrate creative and proactive thinking as we lead the market in customization of coverage in order to meet our physicians' specific needs.
Physician Services
The Physician Services department is responsible for policy issuance and administration, but more importantly it is responsible for customer service and relationships with our insureds. The team represents many years of medical malpractice insurance and customer service experience. As API has grown, we have strengthened our Physician Services team to consistently provide the highest level of timely services our insureds deserve. The team takes great pride in retaining over 90% of our insured physicians which is accomplished through a commitment to personalized and professional relationships. We want to get to know our physicians and group administrators as well as allow them to get to know us. This enables us to understand their needs and be able to serve them in a tailored and flexible manner. We also take pride in providing personalized, high-quality service and replying to each and every inquiry with a prompt, intelligent, and courteous response.
Risk Management
API supports its physician partners with a talented team of risk management professionals and a comprehensive risk management program. Our risk management program is designed to help physicians, physician groups, and their office staff to be better protect their practices by assisting you in:
- Identifying your practice's liabilities
- Reducing your risk
- Prevention of claims
- Improving your defensibility
- Providing valuable risk management resources and tools
Click here to view the services that the Risk Management Department provides
Claims
The philosophy of API's Claims Team is to protect you by providing aggressive defense against all claims and to make your life easier throughout any aspect of litigation or threat of litigation. We stand superior when it comes to defending you and your reputation.
We understand that it's not just business, it's personal. We know it's personal for you and, because of our high level of personal involvement and our compassionate team; it is personal for us as well.
With an average of 18 years of experience, our claims consultants have a wealth of knowledge in handling claims and are committed to assisting you in dealing with all facets of the claim/lawsuit process. Furthermore, we are highly sensitive to the needs of physicians and the stress that a pending lawsuit can create. Our claims staff provides an unequalled level of care and professionalism. We understand that your focus is medicine and treating patients ;our focus is to make sure you understand every aspect of the litigation process.
We are proud of the record we have built in the area of handling claims. Historically, we've maintained a 90% win ratio, but what is important to you is that we approach each case individually. At API, there is no formula for handling cases. Each situation is case specific and all decisions regarding the claim are handled as such, including whether or not to settle. All factors are considered to make the best decision possible.
"I have never felt so blanketed, warm, and covered by any other company. You always take the time to listen to me if investigating a case, and you are not willing to just settle things and go about normal business. You fight with me... and that is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL! I have always had very good personal service, the premiums are fair, and I always get answers to my questions. I am very comfortable practicing medicine with API behind me."