Co-Founder CEO | Public Adjuster | Engineering Design Specialist

Lance Petrie brings over 15 years of elite-level engineering, design, and construction experience to the public adjusting world, setting him apart from nearly every other adjuster in the industry. As Co-Founder of VIP Adjusting, Lance blends his technical background in infrastructure, facilities engineering, and utility systems with his forensic damage assessment skills to serve policyholders at the highest level.

Prior to founding VIP Adjusting, Lance led multi-billion-dollar engineering design projects across the globe. His career includes high level contributions to city-scale utility systems, large scale educational and medical facilities, and world renowned developments like the Energy City for Saudi Aramco and the four-times-larger-than-Disney Animal Safari Park in Al Ain, UAE. He served as engineering lead for CH2Mhill (now Jacobs Engineering Group), BRPH Architects & Engineers, and Towne Engineering; designing mechanical, civil, and MEP systems for high-profile projects throughout the U.S., Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the Caribbean.

At VIP Adjusting, Lance now applies this expertise to complex commercial and residential insurance claims, ensuring every loss is correctly scoped, documented, and negotiated. He specializes in facility damage analysis, repair estimation, and building codes implications.

His certifications as a WIND Certified Appraiser and Umpire, combined with deep industry experience in architectural, structural, MEP, and civil systems, make him uniquely qualified to represent high-stakes claims. Lance also contributes to strategic planning, complex dispute resolution, and multi-party negotiations, particularly when engineering causation is at the heart of a claim.

Whether addressing the aftermath of a catastrophic hurricane or a commercial system failure, Lance provides clients with an unmatched advantage, technical clarity, insurance fluency, and relentless advocacy.

Co-Founder – Director of Operations & Senior Public Adjuster

Aaron Fessia is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations at VIP Adjusting, where he leads with an uncommon blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial insight, and relentless advocacy for policyholders. As a seasoned Public Adjuster with multi-storm, multi-industry certifications, Aaron brings a wealth of hands-on experience handling both residential and commercial insurance claims across Florida and other catastrophe prone states.

Prior to co-founding VIP Adjusting, Aaron successfully built and sold a freight and transport business in Oklahoma, an achievement that speaks to his sharp business acumen and leadership skills. Today, he also owns and manages a diverse portfolio of real estate investments, giving him a deep understanding of property systems, construction standards, and the financial impact of insurance disputes from a policyholder’s point of view.

Aaron is a forensic inspection specialist and technology innovator. He is known for implementing advanced tools like Matterport 3D scanning, infrared thermal imaging, drone roof inspections within VIP Adjusting. Additionally, he has deployed proprietary estimating systems to build airtight claims. His investigative mindset ensures that every detail is documented and every coverage issue is addressed with precision.

At VIP Adjusting, Aaron oversees internal operations and drives continuous improvement across the firm’s inspection, estimating, and claims handling departments. His commitment to white-glove service, tactical preparation, and evidence-based advocacy makes him one of the most respected adjusters in the industry.

Managing Director | Public Adjusting & Claims Handling Department
Licensed General Contractor | Licensed Public Adjuster

Cristian Bragano is a licensed Public Adjuster and a State of Florida Licensed General Contractor, bringing a powerful combination of construction authority and insurance claim expertise to VIP Adjusting’s leadership team. As Managing Director of the Claims Handling Department, Cristian oversees the technical and strategic elements of property damage claims across residential and commercial sectors.

His hands-on experience building homes and commercial structures as part of Florida Construction Specialist, a general contracting firm, gives him unmatched credibility in documenting, estimating, and defending property losses. From framing to finish carpentry, Cristian understands construction from the ground up, allowing him to recognize hidden damage, code violations, and reconstruction requirements that many adjusters miss.

Cristian has extensive experience with hurricane and large loss claims, including work on Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, Michael, Laura, and Sally. His deep knowledge of building systems, paired with his fieldwork in inspections, Matterport documentation, infrared imaging, and drone photography, make him a highly effective estimator and negotiator.

His background also includes employment with a professional restoration company, which adds further strength to his knowledge of water extraction, demolition protocols, mold remediation, and contents handling. This dual perspective construction and restoration, gives him an edge in claims where the scope of damage must be accurately defined and justified under policy language.

Cristian’s contractor’s license and real-world experience allow him to lead the VIP Adjusting team with confidence, ensuring every client receives a thorough, defensible claim backed by true building science and policy expertise.

Office Administration - Accounting

Maureen Petrie brings over 25 years of experience in customer service, office management, and financial operations to her role at VIP Adjusting. With a strong foundation in the banking industry and a decade of hospitality leadership at Twin Ponds Country Club in New York, Maureen is the organizational heartbeat of our office.

As the head of administrative operations and accounting, Maureen oversees all day-to-day office functions with precision and poise. From managing accounts receivable and payable to ensuring that internal systems run smoothly, she plays a vital role in maintaining VIP Adjusting’s high operational standards. Maureen is also the warm, welcoming voice that clients first encounter, providing reassurance, professionalism, and clarity from the initial intake to the final settlement.

Her attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and client-first attitude are essential to delivering the white-glove service that VIP Adjusting is known for. Without Maureen’s expertise, our team simply couldn’t function at the level our clients expect and deserve.

Manager – Estimating Department | VIP Adjusting

Hernan Arias brings over two decades of combined international and domestic construction expertise to his role as Estimating Department Manager at VIP Adjusting. A graduate of the College of Engineering in Medellín, Colombia, where he studied Industrial Engineering, Hernan’s technical background and hands-on field knowledge allow him to lead with both precision and innovation.

After relocating to Miami, Florida, Hernan quickly established himself as a leader in the construction industry. He has managed a wide range of vertical and horizontal construction projects, from high-rise office buildings in the Miami skyline to expansive solar energy installations across the state. His work spans Florida, from Miami to Panama City, and reflects a deep understanding of both commercial and residential property systems.

As an estimating specialist, Hernan ensures that every insurance claim VIP Adjusting handles meets our strict standards of accuracy and quality control. His meticulous scope reviews and cost assessments are supported by robust field data collected during inspections. Hernan is highly skilled in the use of Matterport 3D imaging, infrared thermal mapping, drone documentation, and detailed floorplan take-offs, tools that help establish irrefutable claims data and expedite resolution.

Hernan’s background in computer programming further sets him apart. He has developed and implemented proprietary software solutions that significantly reduce data collection and scope preparation time, increasing efficiency without sacrificing detail. This technical edge allows VIP Adjusting to deliver consistently high quality work product, faster than industry norms.

Thanks to Hernan’s leadership, VIP’s estimating department operates with the same high level of professionalism, technical sophistication, and results-driven mindset that define our brand across Florida and beyond.

Public Adjuster | Inspections Manager – VIP Adjusting

Rachael Valentino brings a unique combination of technical expertise, construction insight, and field leadership to her role as Inspections Manager at VIP Adjusting. With a background as an IT specialist for the Port St. Lucie Utilities Department, Rachael developed a deep understanding of infrastructure systems, CAD-based design, and data-driven analysis skills that now directly support VIP's commitment to precision and professionalism.

Her experience in AutoCAD utility layouts and construction planning gives her a sharp eye for structural systems and site logistics, while her IT background enables her to streamline processes, enhance data collection accuracy, and introduce innovative inspection workflows across the organization.

At VIP Adjusting, Rachael leads our inspections team with a focus on field excellence, ensuring that every site visit, interview, and investigation is conducted with methodical care and aligned with our internal standards. Her leadership has elevated the quality of our reporting and enabled more strategic decision making for complex claims.

Rachael has overseen a wide range of residential and commercial property claims, from Hurricane and windstorm losses to plumbing failures and roof damage, ensuring that critical evidence is gathered to support strong advocacy for our clients. Her cross-disciplinary knowledge makes her an indispensable asset to both our team and the insureds we represent.

Thanks to her rare blend of technical acumen and field experience, Rachael helps set VIP Adjusting apart from the competition, delivering measurable results in claims resolution and client satisfaction.