Appointment – AF Group
AF Group Announces Abel Travis as Director of Innovation
Supporting its continued focus on innovation as a strategic piece of its core business model, AF Group has announced Abel Travis as director of Innovation. In this role, Travis will lead strategic innovation efforts for the organization and will support the president of AF Group.
Prior to joining AF Group, Travis was assistant vice president and head of commercial lines product management for Hanover Insurance Group. During his career, he has developed an impressive background in research, strategy, product development and underwriting with other major insurance carriers nationwide, including Chubb Insurance Group, Travelers Insurance Corporation and the Hartford Financial Services.
“We are pleased to welcome Abel to our outstanding team,” said Lisa Corless, president of AF Group. “He is a highly respected innovator, creative podcaster in the web space and a strong leader. His significant experience in the insurance industry and insights on product management and development will be a tremendous asset as we continue to create innovative solutions for our agents and policyholders.”
Travis earned an M.B.A. from Long Island University (Brookville, NY) and a B.A. in Finance from Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY). He is the recipient of a number of professional achievement awards, including the 40 Under Forty award from the Worcester Business Journal.
Note: While Agency Checklists made a mention of Mr. Travis’ new position a couple of weeks ago, we wanted to include the press release now that it is official.
Promotion – Fred C. Church Insurance Agency
Julie Price Named Vice President
Mike Reilly, President & Chairman of Fred C. Church Insurance announced that Julie M. Price has been named Vice President of Fred C. Church, Inc.
Price has been with Fred C. Church for ten years. She is a Commercial Lines Team Leader – specializing in Educational Institutions in the agency’s Lowell Commercial Lines Department. Julie received her MBA from Northeastern University and holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM) insurance designations.
“Julie’s leadership skills, commitment to our clients and to Fred C. Church make her invaluable to our organization” said Reilly.
Price resides in Pepperell, MA with her husband, Matt and their three children, Christian, Benjamin and Quinn.
Award – A.P. Michaud Insurance Agency
2018 Outstanding Women of Family Business Named
Twelve Massachusetts family business leaders have been named an Outstanding Woman of Family Business by The Warren Group editorial board. The Outstanding Women Award is an annual award that honors the achievements, commitment, and dedication of female family business professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment both within their businesses and in the communities they serve.
Trudy Lawler, President of A.P Michaud Insurance Agency, Inc has been named as one of this year’s recipients. Trudy is the owner of Michaud Insurance Agency, a third generation family business, is a deserving recipient due to the hard work she has put into the growth of her business but also for her leadership within the Merrimack Valley.
“Once again, we’re excited to recognize and honor the hard work and dedication of this year’s recipients of the Outstanding Women of Family Business Award,” said Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of The Warren Group. “Each woman exudes generosity, innovation, as well as grit, and we’re looking forward to honoring them at the upcoming awards gala.”
The 2018 Outstanding Women of Family Business Award Recipients are:
Patricia Day, Owner, Needham Children’s Center
Pamela Donnaruma, Publisher & Editor, Post-Gazette, The Italian American Newspaper, Established 1896
Natalie Fernsenber, Co-owner, Atlas Liquors
Karen Fish-Will, Principal & CEO, Peabody Properties, Inc.
Melissa Fish-Crane, Principal & COO, Peabody Properties, Inc.
Laurie Ingwersen, Managing Partner & Senior Wealth Management Advisor, The Harvest Group Wealth Management, LLC
Molly Kellogg, President/CEO, Hubbard-Hall, Inc.
Trudy Lawler, President, A.P. Michaud Insurance Agency, Inc.
Holly Markham, Founder & President, European Home
Jenn Sturm, President, JT Strum Corporation
Hilary Troia, President & Co-Owner, Office Gallery International
Nikki Walsh, President, PK Walsh Company
Awards were distributed at a dinner event on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA. For more information about the awards and the Family Business Association, visit www.fbaedu.com.
Return – Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc.
Kayla Drinkwine rejoins Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc.
Phillips Insurance Agency, announces that Kayla Drinkwine has rejoined them as a Commercial Lines Account Manager. Kayla started in 2012 with Phillips Insurance and left earlier this year for an opportunity at another agency. Kayla will be responsible for managing the insurance programs of businesses throughout New England.
Kayla has her CRIS designation (Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist) as well as CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation and is a licensed Massachusetts Insurance Broker.
Phillips Insurance Agency was established in 1953 and is a full service risk management firm with a staff of 25 professionals. The agency handles the personal and commercial insurance needs for thousands of individuals and businesses throughout New England.
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline August 1st
Frances R. Soderberg
Reminder – The Frances R. Soderberg Scholarship
Soderberg Insurance Services, Inc. is offering an educational scholarship dedicated in memory of the agency’s co-founder Frances Soderberg. Frances was an active member of the North Shore community for over 50 years. In addition to her commitment to her family, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of those with special needs.
Her youngest daughter Karen was born with Down’s Syndrome. Mrs. Soderberg was instrumental in the integration of recreational and educational programs for children and young adults who are mentally disabled. The co-founder coordinated an instructional tennis program that ran for fifteen years. Mrs. Soderberg, along with the assistance of the special needs participants and North Shore community, organized an annual fundraiser for 25 consecutive years to raise money for the recreational, educational, and social programs for the special needs young adults.
The Frances R. Soderberg Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who shares her same passion to help those with special needs. This scholarship will be awarded to a current college student, or college bound student who shares her commitment for education of individuals with disabilities and improving their overall quality of life. Mrs. Soderberg believed that integration of the handicapped in society is beneficial to all. When a community embraces the disabled, the community evolves into a more passionate, caring place for all residents.
Preferential consideration will be given to North Shore residents. This resident must be a student pursuing a degree or other higher education/vocational career that will help those with disabilities. The selection committee would also like to see evidence of the student’s involvement with the special needs community. Whether it is in a hospital, school, or community event, the selection committee seeks evidence of the applicant’s commitment to this important line of work.
To be considered for the scholarship, please send a personal statement, including personal and professional goals to info@soderbergins.com. Applications will be accepted through August 1st. The award will be made in September 2018.
Kathryn Soderberg, CPCU
800-866-9363
Kathryn@soderbergins.com
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline May 31st
Reminder – The Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award
The Essex Chapter of The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women is now accepting applications for its 2018 Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award. The $500 Scholarship is awarded to an individual for use as a college scholarship or as a reimbursement for those with a passing grade for a licensing course and/or exam of an insurance designation course.
To be eligible applicants must be either in the insurance industry or a family member of someone who is employed in the insurance industry planning on attending college, or attending a higher education/trade school, acquiring a new insurance designation or acquiring a new insurance or work related license.
The submission deadline for this year’s scholarship is May 31, 2018. Applications may be obtained from Scholarship Chair:
Marilyn Michalak
41 Pine Street, #43
Peabody, MA 01960
or by emailing her at: MARILYN.MICHALAK@COMCAST.NET
