On August 10, Jim Pace of Christian-Baker Company was a guest expert on the Radio Smart Talk program on WITF-FM (89.5 FM).

Along with Carolyn Morris, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Jim fielded questions from host Craig Cohen as well as live listener calls about auto insurance, annuities, the Assigned Risk program, flood, health, insurance company interactions and more.

The recorded program is available for online listening at the WITF web site.

In recognition of the HPA agency status that The Insurance Alliance has earned with CNA, Michael Smith (CNA Field Operations East Vice President) and Kim Stith (Field Sales Specialist) recently presented a check to Jane Koppenheffer (President of The Insurance Alliance) and Steve Bregman (Vice President of Sales/Strategic Initiatives at The Securus Group, Inc.) to support an innovative telemarketing initiative.

The Securus Group has announced that Lisa A. Goeke, API, CPIA has joined SECURUS as Personal Lines Relationship Coordinator in the Personal Insurance Division.

A graduate of Ephrata High School, Ephrata, PA, Lisa began her insurance career in early 1996 and brings her vast experience in the areas of underwriting, commercial insurance and claims along with extensive knowledge in personal lines. She will work directly with the clients as she manages those relationships in service and administration. Lisa holds the professional designations of API (Associate in Personal Insurance) and CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Associate).

A resident of Lititz, Lisa held positions in personal lines underwriting, commercial lines and claims for companies including Westfield Insurance Group, Lititz Mutual and Engle-Hambright & Davies, all located in Lancaster County, PA.

Bob O’Hara of Christian-Baker was profiled in a June 19th article on pennlive.com.

What prompted the attention? Bob is 88 years old and still going strong, both in insurance and in a variety of community and personal activities.

Travelers recently sponsored a seminar for Alliance producers focused on pursuing large accounts.

“Whale Hunting: Land Big Sales and Transform Your Business” is part of the Whale Hunters series, and was presented by Emil LaCivita. The session included lecture materials as well as workshop-style exercises, often involving real agency accounts.

Topics covered during the day-long seminar included The Whale Hunters Process, Wealth Management, Target Filters, The Buyer’s Table, Whale Fears, Two Card Questions, Progressive Discovery/Disclosure and more.

The seminar was conducted as part of The Alliance’s 2009 Accellerations Sales Contest initiative.

The Securus Group is pleased to announce that Ruth M. Tetlow, CISR, CPIW, has been named as “Citizen of the Year” and also received the “Insurance Professional of the Year” honor awarded by the IPLC – Insurance Professionals of Lancaster County.

The IPLC, which meets May through September, was founded in 1974 and offers opportunities for education, community involvement, and networking. An internal survey is used to determine the recipient considering their level of community involvement along with all professional achievements. Ms. Tetlow serves on the Board of the Clay Manor Homeowners Association and has served on the Lititz Youth Soccer Board.

A member of the IPLC since 1994, Ruth has also been the recipient of the Educational Achievement of the Year award presented to the person in the organization who has pursued advanced levels of education in the insurance industry. She is Secretary to the Board.

Ruth joined Securus in 2006 as the Relationship Coordinator in the Personal Insurance department where she manages client relationships in service and administration.

On May 4, The Insurance Alliance held a sales training seminar as part of the annual Accellerations Sales Contest at the Central Pennsylvania Business College.

Alliance production staff and Board members met with representatives of participating carriers Cincinnati, Eastern Alliance, Ohio Casualty and Penn National in dedicated 50-minute sessions.

At the lunch session, Matt Maurer of American Insurance Administrators received the March prize for highest monthly new business, joining January winner Tim Goldsmith of Hampson Mower Kreitz and February winner Ryan Amey of Sterner Insurance. More photos of the event are available on our Flickr site.

Accellerations 2009 runs through September, with the winners set to be announced at the annual Alliance event, Connections, in October.

Travelers recently recognized The Insurance Alliance’s achievement of reaching a milestone premium mark with a special award and luncheon.

Travelers Mid-Atlantic’ Region President Kirk Larsen presented Alliance President and CEO Jane Koppenheffer with the award designating The Alliance as a $20 million agency.

The event was held at Confit in Camp Hill on April 23, and was attended by Alliance Board members and staff, along with Travelers staff and management who are responsible for working with The Alliance.

Erika Rivera, CPCU, ARM has joined Securus as Business Relationship Coordinator in the Business Insurance Division. Erika graduated Cum Laude from Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration, and Minor in Psychology. She will work directly with the clients as she manages client relationships in service and administration. She holds the professional designations of Resident Agent Property & Casualty; Associate in Risk Management (ARM); and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

A resident of Lancaster, Erika held the position of Account Manager-Assistant Vice President for Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. now Conner Strong based in Cherry Hill, NJ and worked for The Graham Company in Philadelphia, PA.

The Alliance only-Wood Products Program by the Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group was the subject of a recent seminar at the group’s home office.

Led by Mike Capri and John Eltringham of Hampson Mowrer Kreitz, the seminar covered eligibility, the dividend plan, approved associations. submission requirements and mechanics, and current status. Examples of successful program participants and some real-word examples of what does and doesn’t work in the program were delivered. Kim Evans and Rick Schneider of Berkey provided the company perspective on the program.

The seminar was conducted in conjunction with The Alliance’s Accellerations 2009 Sales Contest.