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Now on to our weekly round-up of the latest announcements, press releases and notices on career and company news of interest to our community…Have an announcement you would like to share? Contact us here.
Appointments
Merchants Insurance Group Welcomes New Territory Manager in Massachusetts
Merchants Insurance Group is pleased to announce that Stacie Lazure has joined the company’s New England Regional Team as a Territory Manager.
Ms. Lazure will be serving Merchants’ Independent Agency Partners in Southeast, Central and Western Massachusetts. With her commercial lines underwriting experience, she will be able to offer added value to our agency partners as they develop and execute their commercial lines growth and profitability strategies. In addition to her prior experience as a Commercial Lines Production Underwriter, Ms. Lazure also has experience in insurance operations and marketing/sales.
Ms. Lazure will be working with the Merchants’ team in Bedford, N.H., but will work remotely in her territory, from her home in Central Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Merchants Insurance Group specializes in commercial insurance and works exclusively through a network of more than 1,000 independent insurance agents throughout the Northeast and North Central United States. With corporate headquarters located in Buffalo, N.Y., Merchants also operates offices in Hauppauge, N.Y.; Mount Laurel, N.J.; and Bedford, N.H. For more information, please visit www.merchantsgroup.com.
New Officers Elected For The 2019/2020 Essex/Middlesex Chapter of Massachusett Association of Insurance Women (MAIW)
Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women (MAIW) recently installed new officers for the Essex/Middlesex Chapter. The 2019/2020 Directors are Laura Henderson of SIAA and Ingrid Brown past president of MAIW. The incoming secretary is Mary Sarsfield and treasurer is Ingrid Brown.
Laura brings an enormous amount of energy to this year’s Essex/Middlesex Chapter. Her wide range of insurance industry knowledge will undoubtedly add value to MAIW. Laura’s current position at SIAA has allowed her to develop solid relationships with over 35 insurance carriers – keeping her on the cutting edge with industry developments. Coupled with her leadership training and extensive involvement with the Cambridge College Alumni Association, she is passionate about transferring her business and educational knowledge to others.
As past President of MAIW, and incoming Co-Director, Ingrid will be a powerful-highly seasoned mentor and relationship builder for this year’s Essex/Middlesex Chapter. Her prior knowledge of MAIW will help pave the way for a successful 2019/2020 year. Ingrid is currently the Curator of Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museums, Inc. and a strong member of the Rockport Rotary. Ingrid will also serve as this year’s Treasurer.
This year brings an exciting array of networking and educational opportunities to the agenda. Our first meeting kicks off on September 9 at Jamie’s Restaurant, N. Andover, MA with a presentation from Paul Tetrault, Executive Director of The Insurance Library located in Boston.
MAIW is a non-profit association that serves women in the insurance industry by providing professional education, an environment in which to build business alliances, and the opportunity to network with top women leaders in the industry.
For those insurance professionals interested in joining, MAIW is open to anyone living or working in an insurance-related occupation in Massachusetts. For those interested in joining, the MAIW suggests attending one of its monthly Chapter meetings to learn more.
The Essex/Middlesex Chapter is currently accepting new membership applications. This Chapter meets on the second Monday of the month starting on September 9 with networking/dinner meetings beginning at 5:30pm. Become part of something bigger than yourself!
Fred C. Church Announces New Hire To The Employee Benefits Division, Ian Lionsdale
Fred C. Church Insurance is pleased to welcome Ian Lonsdale as an Employee Benefits Client Executive.
The main focus of the Employee Benefits division at Fred C. Church is to serve and support their commercial clients. Utilizing five distinct areas of expertise – compliance, technology, wellness, education, and plan management, the practice group helps their clients create and implement long term strategies as well as navigate the ever-changing employee benefits landscape. With a focus on customer service and collaboration, Fred C. Church has successfully created thousands of comprehensive and cost-effective programs for their clients and their most important asset, their employees.
In order to continue to give clients the level of customer support they have grown to expect from Fred C. Church, Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits, John Reilly has been actively recruiting young and experienced talent to help his department, as well as the agency, hit their growth goals.
“Ian is detail orientated, hardworking and career-minded,” said Reilly. “We’re very excited that he has joined the team here at Fred C. Church. His commitment to customer service and his willingness to go above and beyond for our clients has been clear since day one. He has a bright future with us.”
Lonsdale, who holds a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) certification, is an experienced professional with nearly a decade of sales, employee benefits, and insurance experience under his belt. Over the last eight years, Lonsdale has gained hands-on experience in the insurance and risk management industry working for a variety of brokerages across Greater Boston and Washington D.C., including such companies as Marsh & McLennan Agency, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and Lockton Companies.
As the agency’s newest Employee Benefits Client Executive, Lonsdale will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong client relationships through superior customer service.
Kathy Gray joins SAN Group as Commercial Lines Placement Specialist
Satellite Agency Network Group, Inc. (SAN), the leading alliance of independent insurance agencies in the northeast, is pleased to announce and welcome Kathy Gray as Commercial Lines Placement Specialist.
Gray, a licensed broker and notary public, brings over 25 years of experience in commercial lines, including account management, sales, client service, and marketing.
Gray joins SAN’s AccessPlus department where she will be a primary resource for agents regarding commercial lines. She will advise member agents and prepare quote proposals, research markets, and engage carrier underwriters to find the best insurance coverage options for clients.
Prior to joining SAN, Gray spent much of her career at a family-run agency in Lexington, MA developing her skills in document analysis, relationship development, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. She was responsible for all aspects of consultative client interaction for service and sales and developed a solid understanding of all lines of insurance, including standard and surplus markets.
“Kathy has worked in the insurance industry for many years and her industry knowledge, particularly when it relates to commercial insurance, makes her an asset in today’s marketplace,” said Jeff Holmes, Senior Vice President of Agency Operations & Development for SAN Group and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for SIAA. “We are very excited to have her as the newest addition to our team of placement specialists.”
Gray holds her CIC designation and resides in North Chelmsford, MA.
Scholarships
Frances R. Soderberg Scholarship is accepting applications
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.
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 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.
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.
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 2019.
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