John Newbern

Director | Deputy General Counsel

John is a Director and Deputy General Counsel at SubroSmart. John manages an experienced team of subrogation professionals and oversees complex litigation matters.

Prior to joining SubroSmart in 2020, John spent six years as a lead prosecutor at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office in Fort Worth, Texas. As an Assistant District Attorney, John served as a trial attorney in the White-Collar Division, prosecuting crimes involving organized crime, fraud, embezzlement and identity theft. With over three dozen trials to verdict during his service as a prosecutor, John brings his expertise as a seasoned litigator to SubroSmart.

John previously practiced as a subrogation attorney for a national subrogation firm.

Throughout his career, John has proven himself to be a passionate advocate for justice and he is committed to obtaining the best results through honesty and hard work. He is also an avid golfer and a featured writer for a national online golf publication.

John obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Texas A & M University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Southern Methodist University.

P: 972-761-5616
F: 972-528-5314
E: [email protected]

Dwayne Ellis

Director | COO

Dwayne joined SubroSmart after spending the last twenty years at an established third party administrator and adjusting firm.

In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Dwayne is committed to building on SubroSmart’s dedicated environment of integrity, excellence, and innovation in the insurance market. Dwayne brings his experience in strong leadership, premium customer service, and process efficiencies with an aim to help the SubroSmart team grow into the future.

Dwayne has managed highly experienced teams of insurance professionals that handle liability, property, motor, occupational accident, and subrogation claims. He empowers teams to deliver exceptional results in a rapidly evolving market. Dwayne has been heavily involved with complex litigation matters in his career, participating in over 700 mediations over the past three decades.

Dwayne began his career in the insurance claims business thirty years ago and has more than twenty-four years of supervisor, management, and operational experience. He believes in a positive work environment where team members are encouraged to achieve their full potential to contribute to the company’s overall success.

Dwayne obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard Payne University.

Wendi Wheeler

Director | Claims

Wendi’s career as a litigation paralegal began in 1997 at Jackson Walker L.L.P., a 125-year-old Texas law firm, followed by 8 years at global law firm Baker & McKenzie LLP.

Prior to SubroSmart, Wendi worked as an adjuster across the country, first as a national catastrophe adjuster at a large national company. Since 2014, Wendi has been a Director at SubroSmart as a Director. Wendi brings quality representation and premium service to all aspects of her position. She also sets the bar high in keeping a warm and positive attitude every day.

Wendi received her Bachelor of Science at the New Hampshire College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

P: 972-914-4974
F: 972-528-5314
E: [email protected]

Lani Mateo

Director | Business Intelligence

Lani joined SubroSmart as its Business Intelligence Director in 2021.

Prior to SubroSmart, Lani was a Business Intelligence Developer at KaiserPermanente and Analytics Manager at LinkedIn. Lani has held multiple other roles as a business intelligence consultant over the past ten years. Notably, Lani worked extensively with the World Vision Group (Syria) to provide data analysis and intelligence to assist with crisis response decisions for shelter, non-food items, water, sanitation, and health for a $94 million project targeting 1.7 million beneficiaries.

Lani obtained two masters degrees in Business Analytics and Tri-Sector Collaboration in both Singapore and San Francisco. Lani has expert knowledge of numerous technologies in the business intelligence sector.

Jeremy Clark

Director | Forensics & Investigations

Jeremy brings 15 years of investigative and forensic experience to SubroSmart, beginning his career as a police officer, advancing to investigator and fire investigator.

Prior to joining SubroSmart, Jeremy was a regional Manager and Fire Consultant at Haag Fire Origin & Cause for 7 years, a Fire Investigator at the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, and a Deputy Sheriff at the Ector County Sheriff's office.

Jeremy holds a Certified Fire Investigator Certificate through the International Association of Arson Investigators and is Pro-Board Certified. He also has an Intermediate Fire & Arson Certificates through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Master Peace Officer Certificate through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. In 2013 Jeremy obtained the coveted Certified Fraud Examiner’s Certificate from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and maintains that certification to date. To remain at the forefront of forensic science and investigative technology, he adds an average of 40 hours of specialized training bi-annually to the more than 700 hours of accumulated specialized forensic training.

Allison Hinkle

Director | Finance

Allison joined SubroSmart in 2019 as its Director of Finance. She is an experienced, proficient, and dedicated CPA and finance executive with 15+ years of progressive and successful experience in the field. Allison is committed to creating value for SubroSmart clients by implementing the most current technology to create efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance.

Prior to SubroSmart, Allison was a Senior Director of Finance and Finance Administrator for several non-profit organizations and companies. Allison has overseen departments of three dozen accountants and provided senior level financial expertise for companies that exceed $1 billion in revenue.

Allison obtained her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).