About Champion Manufacturing Risk
Meet the people who connect insurance strategy, alternative risk, claims advocacy, safety and employee benefits around the realities of your operation.
Manufacturing Program Leadership
Senior Vice President, Director of Alternative Risk Programs
Manufacturing Division
Chris brings 27 years of manufacturing insurance experience to Champion Risk. He works with manufacturers ranging from approximately $5 million to $270 million in annual revenue, helping leadership teams evaluate traditional insurance, claims performance, safety strategy and alternative-risk opportunities.
He specializes in captive and loss-sensitive programs for manufacturers seeking greater control over insurance costs and the potential to benefit from favorable loss performance. His approach begins with how the company operates—its products, equipment, people, contracts and points of interruption.
Specialist Support
Chris remains the primary manufacturing relationship lead and coordinates specialists according to each client’s needs.
Susan brings more than 35 years of workers’ compensation experience from both the carrier and agency sides of the industry. She helps employers move complex claims toward recovery and resolution.
Martin provides practical safety guidance and employee-engagement ideas. His expertise is brought into client work as needed and coordinated with carrier and other specialized resources.
Heidi helps employers evaluate plan options, manage costs and communicate benefits across shifts, locations and employee groups throughout the year.
A Coordinated Approach
Insurance structure, workplace safety, claims performance and employee strategy influence one another. Champion brings the appropriate people into the conversation without forcing clients to manage a parade of disconnected specialists.
Chris connects the work at the program level. Susan focuses on workers’ compensation claims, Martin Lesko contributes safety expertise as needed, and Heidi supports employee benefits strategy. The broader Champion team provides coverage review, renewal preparation, carrier marketing, claims coordination and day-to-day client service.
Champion Risk & Insurance Services
Champion Risk is an independent insurance brokerage serving businesses and individuals with commercial insurance, employee benefits, risk-management support and specialized industry expertise.
For manufacturers, independence means the program can be evaluated across multiple insurance markets and risk-financing approaches. Recommendations are shaped around the operation’s exposures, performance and long-term goals—not around a single carrier or one-size-fits-all product.
Awards & Recognition
We don’t chase awards, but the ones we’ve earned reflect our commitment to our clients, our people and sustainable growth.
2026 · San Diego Business Journal
2024 · San Diego Business Journal
2026 · PropertyCasualty360
2025 · San Diego Business Journal
2026 · Business Insurance
2026 · Best Companies Group
2026 · Best Companies Group
Built on Glenn Van Noy’s Foundation
Champion Risk’s Manufacturing Program was founded and developed by Glenn Van Noy, whose commitment to manufacturers shaped the program for more than 20 years. Glenn became known for practical guidance, industry advocacy and a deep understanding of the risks facing machining and manufacturing businesses.
Following Glenn’s passing, Chris assumed leadership with a commitment to carrying that work forward. The program continues to grow through expanded alternative-risk capabilities, dedicated claims leadership, practical safety resources and continued involvement in the manufacturing community.
Glenn’s legacy remains part of the program’s purpose: helping manufacturers become safer, stronger and better prepared for the future.
Work With the Manufacturing Team
We’ll help evaluate what is working, what requires attention and where a different approach may create measurable value.
