William G. Dessert is a commercial insurance broker and product developer that focuses his practice in addressing environmental liability on California’s transportation, agribusiness, conservation, and forestry sectors. Arroyo Insurance Services addressed and solved the liability insurance problem in 2024 for the conservation stakeholders working with Prescribed Fire in California.

Mr. Dessert of Arroyo Insurance Services assembled the most experienced environmental insurance design team in the world. Led by Insurance Business America Hall of Famer David Dybdahl, the design team collaborated with 30 of California’s Conservation and Forestry Leaders in Sacramento to create affordable liability insurance for beneficial fire stakeholders.

Beneficial Fire is a critical factor in California’s Strategic Plan to reduce the risk of devasting wildfires in the State. Our innovative environmental insurance products will enable and renew this vital scope of work in the vegetation management sector to facilitate and scale the use of beneficial fire. The pioneering work of the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund Pilot was the critical factor that enabled the creation of genuine environmental liability-based insurance products by an A.M. Best, A+ XV rated U.S. Based Insurer.

Prior to earning his insurance license in 2019 and beginning his career at Arroyo Insurance Services in 2021, Mr. Dessert gained valuable experience working in film and media production in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Government Relations in Washington, DC, and Intermodal Truckload Sales for Echo Global Logistics in Long Beach, CA.

While working in Washington, D.C., Mr. Dessert was a government and public affairs specialist for the American Society of Interior Designers under the 113th Congress. During his tenure with the Association, Mr. Dessert served as the organizational liaison to the National Building Safety Policy Committee, International Code Council, and National Fire Protection Agency to develop code standard recommendations for implementation to the United States Access Board and General Services Administration.

Born and raised in Southern California, Mr. Dessert currently resides in Morro Bay, CA. When not working, hiking, camping, fishing, or paddling, Mr. Dessert spends his time volunteering on vegetation management projects across the state. Mr. Dessert is a member of California Forestry Association (Calforests), California Prescribed Burn Association, International Risk Management Institute, and Society of Environmental Insurance Professionals.