Our Team

James Chippendale is President / CEO of CSI Entertainment Insurance, niche insurance broker specializing in coverage for the entertainment industry.

James began his career in insurance in 1992 with Gregg-Miller & Associates, a specialty managing General Agency with $35 million premium volume. His position as Vice President of Marketing allowed him to implement and develop new programs for the Southwest region. In his two years with Gregg-Miller & Associates, James developed the National Hospitality Program and co-developed the Tow Truck and the Home Health Care National Insurance Programs.

With his background in developing niche insurance programs, James started his own agency, CMI, in April 1994. CMI specializes in niche programs for hospitality venues, convenience stores, used car dealers, contractors and special events. In 2002 CMI merged with Talent Spalding, a specialized company in meeting the insurance needs of individual entertainers and athletes including Spud Webb, Randy White, Mookie Blaylock and formed CSI Insurance Management. Since that time CSI has become one of the nations leading entertainment insurance brokers, providing coverage for over 2000 concerts and special events each year.
The success of CSI and the expertise gained through consulting with over 1500 Entertainment business owners and operators has allowed for the opportunity for James Chippendale President of CSI to be a noted speaker and columnist for the Entertainment Industry, including Pollstar, Rolling Stone, Billboard and the Insurance Journal.

Sean Ashford joins the CSI Entertainment Insurance team as their Director of Marketing. Sean brings valuable Marketing and Concert / venue management experience along with diverse music media marketing background. Sean’s marketing career highlights for companies includes: CBS Records, Universal Music, KAZY Radio, in Denver, Colorado, and KHFI & KATG in Austin, Texas.

In 1995, Sean played a major role in the reopening of the historic Bronco Bowl Arena in Dallas, Texas.  Through deep relationships in the entertainment industry, Sean recruited some of the largest entertainers to appear at the arena.  Also, he was involved in planning and coordinating diverse events at the following venues: The Stadium Club at Texas Stadium for International Facility Management Association; Studios of Los Colinas for the Texas Chapter of I.F.M.A.; fundraising events benefiting Cancer Research and the Y.M.C.A.; and theatrical events and many musical concerts.

Sean is a major player in our media relations, ad campaigns, web site enhancements and production of our monthly newsletter. This will allow CSI to secure a position as an industry leader and allow growth both domestically and internationally.

___________________________________________________

Paul Bassman

Managing Director
Entertainment Products Division

Paul Bassman joins CSI to focus on expanding their overall presence in the entertainment insurance business.  Paul has an extensive and distinguished background of over 15 years in the music business.  He brings to CSI a thorough and deep understanding of the music business from many different perspectives having been directly involved in all aspects of his artists’ careers worldwide, helming his own nationally distributed record label and as a former talent scout for the legendary Capitol Records in Hollywood.

His career started in 1992 working for record labels such as Elektra Entertainment as well as management companies representing such bands as Vertical Horizon and Jackopierce,  Mr. Bassman founded his own company, BassManagement,  in 1999 shortly thereafter signing artists Flickerstick and Drowning Pool for exclusive worldwide management.  The Flickerstick debut, "Welcoming Home the Astronauts" was released on Bassman’s startup independent label 226 Records. The strength of that release landed them a starring role in the Emmy nominated VH-1 TV series "Bands on the Run" and they subsequently secured a worldwide record deal with powerhouse Epic Records. Their debut CD was re-released by Epic landing on the Billboard top 200 sales chart first week of release. Drowning Pool was the breakout artist for BassManagement. After releasing an EP on 226 Records, several major labels began pursuit of the band. Drowning Pool decided on a deal with independent label Wind-Up Records (home of Creed and Evanescence). Their debut CD, "Sinner" also debuted on the Billboard top 200 sales chart and went on to sell over 1.5 million records worldwide. The third major release for BassManagement was supergroup Damageplan. This group consisting of founding Pantera members Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, released their CD in 2004 also debuting on the Billboard top 200 sales chart. 

 _____________________________________________________

Lori Nelson

Account Manager

One of our newest members of the team, Lori Nelson, joins CSI as an Account Manager for the Entertainment division where she manages the special event clientele and assists Sean Ashford with our Short Term Production clients.After nearly ten years in the medical insurance field, Lori moved to Dallas from Southeast Texas where she decided to make the transition to property and casualty insurance.  

A huge fan of the entertainment industry, Lori's interest in "behind the scenes" production grew from an early age as she assisted her dad with his production company. Lori would act as "camera man" and was encouraged to be imaginative and creative as she helped put together visual works of art. Lori takes pride in her work and realizes that every little step counts in the process to success. With her positive attitude and up beat personality, she is a definite asset to the CSI crew.   

We are excited to welcome this bright new shining star to CSI!