CHICAGO, March 19, 2008 – ASPN (Agency Specialty Product Network) today announced a greater regional focus and concentration for 2008. ASPN is expanding its regional territories from seven to eleven in the U.S. In addition to the five veteran ASPN regional vice presidents, ASPN has added five new regional vice presidents to further increase product distribution and awareness of ASPN provider companies, their products and services. (One position remains to be filled.)
“We are extremely excited about this expansion because it allows us to increase the level of communication, provide more hands-on contact between ASPN and the independent agency network. It also ensures that ASPN will remain a one-of-a-kind leader in the marketplace and industry in product distribution and product awareness. The key ingredient to our new regional concentration is the ASPN regional vice president, who provides the “feet on the ground”. All are seasoned, experienced insurance professionals with agency contacts, industry expertise and knowledge. They have long-term marketplace relationships, reside in their respective regions, and are in a great position to meet the needs of agents and brokers in the individual, regional markets,” says Jerry Tegan, president of ASPN.
New Regional Vice Presidents
Paul Granata
Southwest Region includes Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada and El Paso, Texas
Paul Granata joins ASPN as regional vice president after 11 years at Great American Insurance Group. He served most recently as regional marketing manager of Great American where he developed and maintained strong producer relationships in the 12 western states for which he was responsible. Prior to that, Paul was southwestern regional manager for AIG where he gained a vast knowledge of the independent agency network. He has spent his career calling on the independent agency network, maintaining client relationships, building strategic partnerships and growing business on behalf of his employers. He earned his BS degree from the University of Missouri.
Office +1.805.373.6968
Cell +1.213.509.8152
Kim Wells
West Central Region includes Central/Northern California, Hawaii and Northern Nevada
Kim Wells joins ASPN as regional vice president from Victor O. Schinnerer & Co., where she served as vice president, public entity programs. Kim’s insurance industry background spans 23 plus years and includes experience in insurance brokerage management, regional and senior underwriting, marketing management, product development, strategic marketing and a wealth of overall management experience. She will be a valuable asset to ASPN as she has built long-term relationships and agency contacts in the West Central Region. A graduate of the University of Phoenix, Kim earned a BS degree in Marketing and holds the ARM and CPCU insurance designations.
Office +1.415.292.7538
Cell +1.415.823.8961
Connie Adams
Mid-Central Region includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma
Connie Adams joins ASPN as regional vice president and is well known to ASPN because of her previous affiliation with Cananwill. Connie has spent over 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, working with the independent agency system in her current location as well as in Virginia and Washington, DC. She brings strong agency contacts, marketplace relationships, client-facing expertise and intellectual capital, and will be a great resource for the provider companies in the Mid-Central Region. Connie holds a CIC designation and is a graduate of Barton College.
Office +1.913.745.5650
Cell +1.913.702.4181
Ken Chappell
Mid-Atlantic Region includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York (excluding NYC and Long Island), Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC
Ken Chappell joins ASPN from the Irwin Siegel Agency where he served as associate vice president, marketing for the past nine years. Prior to that time, he was national accounts manager, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, for managed care products. Ken brings 17 years of insurance experience and expertise, including significant experience in customer service, business analyses, account management, commercial underwriting, and independent agent and broker relations and development. As a result of his background, Ken has built significant relationships and contacts not only in the Eastern Region, but also on a national basis. He earned his BA in Business Administration from Eastern Nazarene College and did his graduate studies at Mount St. Mary College.
Office +1.845.701.6972
Cell +1.845.701.0022
Rob Romano
Northeast Region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York City and Long Island New York
Rob Romano brings 21 years of insurance industry experience to his position of ASPN regional vice president, Northeast Region. His career has included senior sales and regional marketing management positions at retail brokerages as well as insurance carrier RVP experience. Rob joins ASPN from Midwest Employers Casualty Company. Through his career, he has been involved with new product development, marketing and sales of a variety of standard, specialty and alternative risk management insurance products. Rob will be a tremendous asset to the new Northeast Region and will have a huge impact on the future growth and expansion of that region for ASPN’s provider companies. Rob has significant relationships and understanding of the independent agency network throughout the Northeast Region. He received his BA from Stony Brook University and his Master in Business Administration from Pace University.
Office +1.860.467.6546
Cell +1.860.262.0281
Current Regional Vice Presidents
ASPN is pleased to announce that the current field team - Dale Crookshanks, Clif Harrison, Cindy Hogan, Terry Schuck and Art Slawson, – will continue to provide exceptional customer service, industry experience and expertise to their respective regions.
In addition, the strong, experienced inside ASPN staff of Brigitte Gearhart, Jackie Lane, Tom Boecker, Shellie Granzow, Sean Wylie and Estelle Brooks will be available to assist in this expansion.
For a complete breakdown of the eleven regions, see the attached map.
About ASPN
Agency Specialty Product Network, known as ASPN (www.askaspn.com), is a unit of Aon Corporation and operates as a marketing arm for more than 25+ provider companies including insurance carriers, wholesalers, managing general underwriters and insurance services companies. ASPN offers a wide variety of more than 450 insurance products, programs and services.
Access international media contacts, the full library of Aon media releases, and a media kit with fact sheet and executive bios, via links below.