Raymond L. Fournier, CIC
President

Mr. Fournier has been President of Guardian since 1996, and board member since 1993. He is a native of Puerto Rico, received a BA degree with a major in Economics and Finance from Clark University. Mr. Fournier also has completed training programs in reinsurance and insurance at the Cologne Reinsurance Company (Koelnische Rueckversicherungs Gesellschaft), Cologne, Germany, and D. G. Durham Ltd., at Lloyd's of London.

Mr. Fournier is also a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, Member of the Board of Directors of the St. Thomas and St. John Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the VI Insurance Guaranty Association.

Octavio Estrada, CPA
Executive Vice President

Mr. Estrada is a Certified Public Accountant and has served operationally in various capacities (mainly financial) in the operations of Guardian and Heritage Insurance Company.

Mr. Estrada holds a BA degree from the University of Puerto Rico with a major in accounting and a minor in EDP Systems Analysis and Design. Mr. Estrada’s professional career includes ample work experience in public accounting with Price Waterhouse and Laventhol & Horwath. In addition, Mr. Estrada has completed numerous continued education courses in Insurance and Accounting.

N. William Jarvis
Secretary

N. William Jarvis currently serves as Senior Vice President of Lockhart Companies Incorporated, and as the President & Chief Operating Officer of Lockhart Ventures, Inc. (an affiliate of Lockhart Companies Incorporated).

Jarvis manages a portfolio of Lockhart Ventures' investments in emerging media and Internet companies. Before joining Lockhart Ventures, Jarvis served as Executive Vice President of WETA's Greater Washington Broadcast Group, managing WETA’s television and radio stations, cable and Internet ventures, fundraising, and communications. Before WETA, Jarvis was a partner with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler, LLP.

Based in Washington, D.C., Jarvis serves on the Boards of City First Bank of D.C. and Comcast Cablevision of the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal City Council and the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.

A graduate of the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, Jarvis earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He resides with his wife and two sons in the District of Columbia.

Karen B. John
Vice President - Claims

Ms. John has been with Guardian since 1990. Prior to joining Guardian, Ms. John was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Prudential Insurance Company as a Claims Specialist.

Ms. John has been in the insurance industry for over 23 years and has been a licensed Claims Adjuster in the Virgin Islands for over 14 years.  She holds the Professional Designations of CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and LPCS (Legal Principal Claims Specialist).  Ms. John has extensive experience in Claims Management and Litigation. She oversees the Claims Operations of Guardian Insurance Company and Heritage Insurance Company.   

Ms. John attended the University of the Virgin Islands and Inter American University of Puerto Rico and is a member of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Neglected and Abused Children) of the Virgin Islands and the Rotary Club of St. Thomas.

Celso E. Vargas
Vice President - Accounting

Vice President of Accounting, has been with Guardian since 1990. Prior to joining Guardian, Mr. Vargas served as an Accounting Supervisor for Baxter Healthcare Corp. in Puerto Rico from 1985 to 1990, at that time the largest pharmaceutical company in PR.

Mr. Vargas has studied at the University of Puerto Rico and Sacred Heart University. He received a BA degree in accounting from the InterAmerican University and continued studies toward the MBA with a concentration in finance.
Presently, Mr. Vargas is working towards obtaining his Certified Public Accountant license.

Sheila L. Jasper
Vice President - Underwriting

Ms. Jasper manages all underwriting and marketing operations for Guardian and its affiliated companies within the Lockhart Group. Before joining Guardian, Jasper initiated her insurance career at Guy Carpenter & Company in New York. Later, she relocated to the Virgin Islands, where she completed her Business Degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, and completed the Travelers Property and Casualty Insurance training program. She is a duly licensed Insurance Agent in the Virgin Islands for Commercial and Personal Lines, and Life and Health with over 23 years of experience in the insurance industry. She is currently an active member of the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives and a member of the Board of Directors of the Virgin Islands Insurance Association, in addition to her Sunday School teacher position at her church.