Marci Waterman Named Deputy CEO; John Beres Appointed COO
Marci Waterman, Esq.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
John Beres
Chief Operating Officer
Woodbury, NY, April 14, 2026 — SterlingRisk, part of a nationally ranked Top 15 insurance brokerage, has announced two senior leadership promotions that reflect the firm’s continued investment in talent and organizational alignment to support its long-term growth.
Marci Waterman, Esq., has been promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and John S. Beres has been named Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
“I am pleased to announce these important leadership changes, which reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in the talent and vision that drive our firm,” said David Sterling, Chief Executive Officer of SterlingRisk. “Marci and John have each made valuable, significant contributions, and I am confident that in their new roles they will play a critical part in our continued growth and profitability.”
As Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Waterman will support Sterling in advancing the company’s objectives. The role is central to translating strategic vision into disciplined execution and further strengthening the firm’s leadership structure. She joined SterlingRisk in 2013 and served as Chief Operating Officer for nearly a decade, overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations and playing a key role in enhancing efficiency and profitability.
In addition to her newly elevated role, Waterman will continue to serve as President of Sterling Analytics, a global market leader in expert legal bill review and consulting services, owned by SterlingRisk. With her shift away from day-to-day operational responsibilities at SterlingRisk, Waterman will focus on continuing to transform Sterling Analytics into a technology-driven business, optimizing the performance of its best-in-class team.
Beres, who has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, will assume responsibility for the firm’s day-to-day operations and the execution of its key priorities. His leadership will help ensure consistency and performance across all offices and business units while advancing enterprise-wide excellence.
Beres joined SterlingRisk in 2017 and most recently served as Chief Business Officer and Director of Client Services and Development. In that role, he led strategic growth initiatives, strengthened carrier relationships, and oversaw client delivery across service teams, marketing, claims, and loss control. With more than 40 years of senior level experience in the insurance industry, he brings deep expertise in operational management and complex risk solutions.
“These leadership changes enable us to further strengthen our organization and align our resources to enhance client service delivery,” added Sterling. “We remain focused on advancing the next generation of leaders and optimizing our team structures to stay at the forefront of our industry.”
