Lee Business School has appointed Patrick E. Hanley, Sr. as the new director of the Kerestesi Center for Insurance and Risk Management.
Hanley brings more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, including leadership in business development, regulatory compliance, and mentorship. He co-founded Socius Insurance Services, a national wholesale brokerage firm, and led it until its acquisition in 2023. Under his leadership, the firm grew to generate $40 million in annual revenue.
Hanley’s appointment comes at a time of strong growth for the center. In May 2025, the Nevada Surplus Lines Foundation awarded $735,000 in scholarships to support students in the BSBA in Insurance and Risk Management program — building on the Foundation’s $5 million founding gift in 2023.
I’m honored to join UNLV and lead the Kerestesi Center at such a pivotal time,” Hanley said. “This industry offers unmatched opportunities, and we’re preparing students not just to enter the field, but to lead it.”
As director, Hanley will focus on three priorities: expanding industry partnerships, enhancing curriculum in key areas like insurtech and compliance, and growing the program’s reach across Nevada and beyond.
