Executive Leadership
Mechanicus is a P&C wholesale broker created by five experienced veterans of the insurance and reinsurance industries. Mechanicus designs creative solutions to complex insurance.
Tim Bendall
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Tim Bendall is a founding Member and Chief Executive Officer of Mechanicus Insurance Services LLC. With over four decades of experience in the global insurance and reinsurance markets, Tim brings a deep technical expertise, strategic insight, and entrepreneurial leadership to the firm’s mission of delivering innovative and bespoke risk solutions.
Starting as a property reinsurance underwriter in London, Tim transitioned to senior brokerage roles in the U.S., where his creative strategies transformed startups into publicly traded, multi-state insurance carriers. Known for his consultative approach, he has structured and placed tailored programs for diverse entities—startup risk retention groups, captives, mutuals, and traditional stock companies—building capital-efficient solutions that resonate across domestic and international markets. His career highlights include senior positions at Towers Perrin (as a partner), Towers Watson Re, JLT Re, and Guy Carpenter. Tim’s work is driven by a commitment to building lasting partnerships and delivering value through strategic execution, integrity, and industry foresight.
Tim’s knack for solving complex challenges and fostering enduring partnerships drives Mechanicus’s success. Outside the office, he enjoys hiking with his dogs near Philadelphia and spending quality time with family.
Derek Oberman
Co-Founder & President - East Coast
Derek Oberman is a founding Member and President of East Coast Programs at Mechanicus Insurance Services LLC, where he leverages decades of executive leadership to develop innovative insurance solutions for niche and emerging markets. Simultaneously, as President of The Oberman Companies—a fourth-generation, family-owned brokerage founded in 1921 and based in Rye Brook, New York—he has built a reputation as a real estate insurance expert, blending national brokerage resources with personalized service. His strategic vision and dedication to client success position him to lead both organizations toward excellence in specialized risk management.
At Mechanicus, Derek focuses on crafting and scaling programs that address complex client challenges, transforming intricate needs into practical, forward-thinking insurance frameworks. His expertise in tailored coverage structures and risk management strategies has earned him trust among property owners, developers, and investors. With a commitment to innovation, Derek is shaping the future of insurance through his dual roles, delivering sophisticated yet accessible solutions for diverse markets.
Beyond his professional life, Derek cherishes time with his wife Adina, their two children and their lively dog. A passionate musician and songwriter, he finds joy in composing original pieces. His hobbies—golf and crafting intricate Lego designs—reflect his love of precision and creativity, qualities that shine through whether he’s on the fairway, at the piano, or with his family.
David Schonbrun
Co-Founder & Chief Legal Officer
David Schonbrun is a founding Member, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of Mechanicus Insurance Services LLC, overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance efforts. With over three decades of experience in insurance, reinsurance, and insurance-linked securities, David is a seasoned legal strategist, guiding both startups and global carriers with insight and expertise.
At Mechanicus, David ensures robust legal and regulatory frameworks, drawing on his 13 years as Senior Vice President and Head of Legal and Government Affairs at Hiscox USA, where he was recognized as a Hiscox Partner. His career includes senior legal roles, advisory work through Schonbrun Risk & Regulatory Solutions LLC and the Schonbrun Law Group PLLC, and serving as the inaugural Chair of the American Property Casualty Insurers Association’s Legal Subcommittee (2013–2015). He earned his juris doctorate from Columbia Law School and his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva College. David is licensed to practice law in New York and Connecticut and holds P&C and Surplus Lines broker licenses in multiple states.
David and his wife have three children and one grandson. He’s an avid reader of military and political histories and biographies, a passionate supporter of Chelsea football and New York’s Yankees, Rangers, Knicks, and Jets, and a fan of sharp-witted comedies from the Marx Brothers to Monty Python. On rare golf outings, he enjoys the camaraderie of patient friends and the occasional well-placed shot.
Rob Mason
Co-Founder & President - West Coast
Robert Mason is a founding Member and President of West Coast Programs at Mechanicus Insurance Services LLC. With over two decades of experience and a second-generation insurance legacy, Rob infuses technical mastery and client-centric innovation into every program he designs, driving the firm’s mission to deliver tailored solutions for niche and emerging markets.
As CEO of Spectrum Advisory Group and WestRidge Insurance Services, Rob has built a reputation for crafting custom insurance solutions across sectors like Habitational, Non-Profit, Grocery, Commercial Real Estate, Manufacturing, Construction, and Distribution. His expertise spans Workers’ Compensation, Property & Casualty, Management Liability, Commercial Auto, Personal Lines, and Umbrella/Excess coverages. He has pioneered high-value programs, including an innovative marketing strategy that saved clients over $100 million in premiums, strengthening broker, client, and carrier relationships. He holds a producer license in California, with plans to expand to Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Rob is a dedicated entrepreneur and avid traveler, having explored 18 states, Mexico, and Argentina—his favorite destinations. A passionate sports fan, he cheers for the Chargers, Dodgers, Lakers, Kings, and UCLA, often catching games with family and friends. His curiosity and drive fuel both his professional and personal pursuits.
Carlos A. Oliveras
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Carlos A. Oliveras is a founding Member, Chief Operating Officer, and Treasurer of Mechanicus Insurance Services LLC. With over four decades of leadership in primary insurance, reinsurance, brokerage, and alternative risk, Carlos brings unparalleled expertise to the firm’s mission of delivering innovative solutions for niche and emerging markets. His extensive experience in P&C and Specialty Lines—Casualty, Professional Liability, Captives, and Parametric—allows him to build scalable, high-performing insurance platforms.
Carlos drives operational excellence at Mechanicus by aligning underwriting, distribution, actuarial, claims, and technology to fuel growth and efficiency, blending experience and innovation in every endeavor. His collaborative and transparent leadership fosters trusted partnerships with clients, brokers, carriers, reinsurers, and regulators, ensuring tailored, impactful programs. A bilingual (English/Spanish) leader with a BA in Economics from Fordham University and executive training at The Wharton School, he also served as a Training Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, enhancing his strategic leadership. Carlos holds producer, surplus lines, and adjuster licenses across multiple states.
Carlos enjoys time with family, especially fishing and bowling with his grandchildren, listening to jazz, and playing strategy board games. A passionate traveler and supporter of emerging musicians, he brings curiosity and connection to both his professional and personal pursuits. He wants to visit Greece again!
