Our weekly look at the latest promotions, appointments, awards & accolades from in and around the Massachusetts insurance industry…
Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services Names Leanne Ross as Senior Vice President, New Member Sales
Appointment of insurance industry veteran is designed to grow membership for region’s premier insurance agency network
The Renaissance Alliance, New England’s premier membership alliance for independent insurance agencies, has named Leanne Ross to the position of Senior Vice President, New Member Sales. In this role, Ross will work with RAIS executive and business development teams to grow agency membership. She will hire, train and oversee new sales staff and assist and the Alliance’s planned expansion.
In making the announcement, Bruce Cochrane, President of Renaissance Alliance, states
“We’re most fortunate in having Leanne join our Renaissance team. She has held senior positions in prestigious insurance-related organizations, both on the agency and the insurance carrier sides of the business. Her superlative experience in leading, managing and motivating high-performing sales teams has produced strong results. Leanne will be a critical asset in helping our executive team grow our agency membership and expand our Alliance geographically.”
Prior to her appointment, Ross was founder and president of Ivy Ladder, providing sales consultation and career coaching services. Previously, she was a Regional Sales Executive, The Hartford, where she oversaw Small Commercial Segment $100M+ operation for the Boston Regional Office, leading a team of sales representatives and 300+ agency relationships in 4 states. She was responsible for managing the agency distribution partnerships to leverage Small Commercial product offerings for increased profitable sales in the Regional Office.
Before this, she served as Commercial Lines Manager and Sales Executive for Brown & Brown’s Detroit Division. She oversaw the sales and service operations of the division, carrier relationship management, and marketing of new Middle Market business to carriers. She was responsible for recruiting, hiring and training of both sales producers and account management staff.
Leanne is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and a licensed property & casualty producer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Michigan State University.
XS Brokers Promotes Gabe Carrieri to National Brokerage Leader, Executive Vice President,
Recognizing Growth of Full-Service XS Specialty Brokerage Unit
XS Brokers, a leading independent insurance underwriting and wholesale brokerage group, recognizing the fast-paced growth of its XS Specialty Brokerage Unit, announces the promotion of Gabe Carrieri to National Brokerage Leader and Executive Vice President.
XS Specialty Brokerage is the full-service wholesale brokerage arm of Boston-headquartered XS Brokers with expertise in Casualty, Property, Environmental, Professional and Workers Compensation. Gabe’s responsibilities are to continue the exceptional growth trajectory of the unit, as well as lead and manage the unit’s team of brokers. “Our team is dedicated to providing our retail agents solutions to their clients problems with high quality markets, quick turnaround, accuracy and service,” stated Gabe Carrieri. “By combining exceptional service with wide-ranging capabilities, we will continue our exceptional growth path.”
Gabe joined XS Brokers in 2005 as an underwriter and has continued to grow his expertise and leadership skills. “Gabe has been a role model, contributing significantly to the firm’s success. We are pleased to recognize his contributions with this promotion,” stated Adam Devine, CEO. “At XSB, we have always emphasized investing back in our company, including attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry.”
Gabe’s undergraduate degree is from Providence University, and his MBA from Boston College. He is active in the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA).
A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Companies Announces Certified Wellness Team
A.I.M. Mutual, a regional workers’ compensation insurer, has announced that its injury prevention team is now certified in workplace wellness programming.
Ten members of A.I.M. Mutual’s Injury Prevention & Worksite Wellness (IPWW) staff recently earned wellness certifications through the nationally-recognized Chapman Institute. Each now carries the Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC) professional designation.
The CWPC designation is in addition to safety and risk management designations many staff members already hold.
With this achievement, the entire injury prevention team is wellness-certified, allowing the company to expand its wellness reach to employers. A.I.M. Mutual is the only regional workers’ compensation carrier to revamp its traditional loss control approach and fully integrate a wellness component.
Newly-certified team members are: Patricia Coutu, Joseph Vollaro, Kristin Tenzin, Kimberly Walker, Brendan Carr, Wendy Rosati, Chris King, Glenn Severance, Tom Bochart and Jon Kokoszka. Senior Manager Dan Ilnicky, Supervisor Martha Gagnon and Wellness Coordinator Colleen Heaslip hold additional wellness designations.
Since 2013, A.I.M. Mutual has built wellness initiatives into its injury prevention services, making a significant impact on loss experience for policyholders. Policyholders can choose from three tiers of wellness programming as participants in A.I.M. Works: The Wellness AdvantageSM, customizing their offerings based on need and industry.
The program’s rollout was featured in the Best’s Review Innovation Showcase, where it was called “the future of intelligent risk management.”
National Association of Insurance Commissioners Accepting Applicants for 2019 Consumer Liaison Representatives
The NAIC is now accepting applications for its 2019 Consumer Liaison Program. Established in 1992, the Consumer Liaison Program promotes consumer representation and interaction with NAIC members by providing funding for representatives of consumer organizations to participate in NAIC meetings.
“The insight we get from consumer representatives is invaluable as we weigh the impact of changes to insurance regulation on the consumers in our states,” said Julie Mix McPeak, NAIC President and Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance. “They provide a unique perspective and voice, which is critical as we make decisions at the NAIC.”
According to the NAIC, a consumer organization can be a national, state or local organization that serves to protect the interests of consumers as they relate to the regulation of insurance. The NAIC provides travel expense reimbursement to funded consumer representatives.
“Partnering with consumer representatives ensures that we never lose sight of who we are working for – U.S. consumers,” said Stephen C. Taylor, Commissioner of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. “Working with consumer advocates brings into focus our collective vision for protecting policyholders.” Taylor chairs the NAIC’s Consumer Liaison Committee and the Consumer Participation Board of Trustees.
To qualify, an individual must demonstrate a commitment to representing consumer interests in insurance regulation, be willing to fully participate in NAIC deliberations and have established expertise and experience on insurance-related issues addressed by the NAIC. Funded consumer representatives must also show that outside funding is required in order to carry out the above responsibilities. A candidate must not have obligations or commitments to an industry that conflict with his or her responsibilities to represent consumer interests.
Individuals who do not need NAIC funding may apply to participate in the Consumer Liaison Program as an unfunded consumer representative. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Central time on Oct. 31, 2018. Applicants will be selected in December and notified in early 2019.
More information regarding the NAIC’s Consumer Liaison Program and the application process is available online.
Cape Cod Insurance Agents Association (CCIA) Launches 2018 Driver’s Education Raffle
The Cape Cod Insurance Agents Association has announced its sponsorship of a new Driver’s Education Reimbursement Raffle for students residing on Cape Cod. To enter, eligible students need to take a picture of themselves wearing the bracelet that the CCIA has provided to schools with the message, “Stay Alive Don’t Text and Drive”.
Once they have the picture they should text it to capeagentsraffle@gmail.com, an email address created specifically for the raffle. Raffle winners will be announced in December.
The following is a complete list of the Raffle Rules:
- Applicant must submit full name and telephone number along with pic wearing “Stay Alive! Don’t Text & Drive” wrist band, via email to capeagentsraffle@gmail.com.
- Drawing to take place 12/14/2018.
- Applicants must be enrolled as students in high school within Barnstable, Dukes or Nantucket Counties.
- Applicants must complete driver’s education with a Massachusetts accredited Driver’s Education Facility within 6 months (before or after) the drawing date.
- Must provide proof of completion and payment of class.
- Raffle will pay reimbursement to the payer of the class of up to $750.00
- Children & Grandchildren of Cape Cod Insurance Agent’s Association board of directors’ members and officers are not eligible.
- Winner will be notified on or about 12/14/2018 and will have until 7/15/2019 to claim the prize.
There is no purchase necessary to win. For those interested in learning more, please visit the CCIA website at https://www.capeagents.com/.
