Title: Vice President
Company: Ryan Turner Specialty LLC
Location: Cave Creek, Arizona, United States
Matthew Joseph Skillen, vice president at Ryan Turner Specialty LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the Insurance Industry.
Over the course of a distinguished career in insurance, Mr. Skillen has established himself as a leading expert in autonomous vehicle and advanced automotive technology insurance, cannabis industry insurance placement, excess and surplus lines brokerage for hard-to-place risks, and Amazon delivery fleet insurance programs. His expertise in these emerging markets is widely praised within the sector and reflects a deliberate strategy to build proficiency in areas where few established specialists exist.
As the vice president at Ryan Turner Specialty LLC since 2021, Mr. Skillen leads his own team with a primary focus on advanced technology within the automotive sector. His work encompasses structuring bespoke insurance programs for clients operating in autonomous vehicles, transportation network companies, and application-based platforms such as Uber, DoorDash and Waymo, as well as autonomous trucking and drones. Additionally, Mr. Skillen serves as a practice leader in the cannabis space, placing coverage for cannabis-related entities and other hard-to-place risks, including psilocybin.
Mr. Skillen’s role at Ryan Turner Specialty LLC involves traveling to meet clients and presenting renewal proposals, managing a diverse client base by tailoring insurance solutions to each client’s unique operations and risk profile. He is known for positioning insurance as a strategic tool for client growth rather than simply a required expense. Mr. Skillen’s responsibilities further include presenting client risks to insurance markets, pre-underwriting emerging technology and gig economy risks, working with Lloyd’s of London markets for specialized placements, and building his own book of business and generating new business opportunities while maintaining strong relationships with both clients and carriers.
Among Mr. Skillen’s most significant professional milestones has been the establishment of a captive insurance program for Amazon delivery service partners. Initiated in November 2024 and officially launched in April 2025, this program marked the first wholesaler-owned captive in the industry, a notable achievement given that retailers typically control captives. Mr. Skillen brought together two senior vice presidents from within Ryan Turner Specialty LLC to collaborate on this initiative. Their combined expertise resulted in an innovative solution that completed its first full policy year before renewal in April 2026. This accomplishment stands as a testament to Mr. Skillen’s ability to identify market needs and develop industry-first solutions.
Before his current role as vice president, Mr. Skillen served as an associate broker at Ryan Turner Specialty LLC from 2016 to 2021. During this period, he developed his specialization in emerging markets by focusing on industries that were only beginning to take shape, such as autonomous vehicles and cannabis, allowing him to build expertise where there was little competition from more established professionals. Mr. Skillen’s approach enabled him to help shape customized insurance solutions and develop new coverage approaches tailored to rapidly evolving client needs.
Mr. Skillen began his career as an underwriter at Chubb after completing his undergraduate studies. This initial position provided exposure to a variety of industries and introduced him to the dynamic nature of risk assessment within the broader financial services sector. The opportunity arose through connections facilitated by his father, himself a lifelong insurance professional, who encouraged Mr. Skillen to explore the field but maintained a strict policy against nepotism by not offering direct employment.
In preparation for his future, Mr. Skillen earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. In addition to his degree, he has valued professional development through industry associations such as the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies during his time in Colorado. Although he has not yet renewed his involvement since relocating to Arizona, Mr. Skillen maintains an intention to do so as part of ongoing engagement with the broader professional community.
Civic involvement has been an important aspect of Mr. Skillen’s life since high school and college when he participated as a member of Los Hermanos, a charity organization dedicated to community service. He continues to engage periodically in charitable initiatives organized through his workplace and church community while establishing himself further within Arizona’s civic landscape.
Recognition for Mr. Skillen’s achievements included receiving two internal Million-Dollar Producer Awards from Ryan Turner Specialty LLC in 2024 and 2025 for surpassing $1 million in annual production and the Break Out Award from BUSINESS INSURANCE in 2025. These honors coincided with his transition into team leadership roles and reflect both individual accomplishment and contributions to organizational growth.
Mr. Skillen credits faith as the foundation underpinning nearly every aspect of his life, including his professional endeavors. He also acknowledges the essential support provided by family members throughout his journey. Notably, Mr. Skillen’s wife, Sarah Lynn Skillen, whom he married in 2025, has been integral to his success during pivotal career transitions.
Looking ahead, Mr. Skillen aims to continue growing his team at Ryan Specialty LLC while developing new products that address evolving market needs rather than following conventional industry paths. Drawing on experience gained through initiatives like the Amazon captive program and bespoke coverage offerings, he seeks recognition as a thought leader within specialized risk management fields while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, a priority he regards as essential alongside continued professional achievement.
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