Leavitt Group Welcomes Mark Russ As Senior Executive Vice President

The Leavitt Group is pleased to announce that Mark Russ will now serve as the senior executive vice president and managing co-owner of the Leavitt Group’s Los Angeles office.

“I am excited to join the Leavitt Group, and I look forward to leading a great team to continue the legacy of serving and valuing our clients,” said Russ. Russ will focus on fostering an atmosphere where principled agents can thrive and clients are well-served.

Russ has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years. He has deep experience in both sales and service for commercial and risk management accounts, including manufacturing, construction, and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the Leavitt Group, Russ worked as an area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services overseeing and managing production goals and client retention. Other responsibilities included producer recruitment, sales team development, client creation, renewal retention strategies, division profitability, and product development.

Leavitt Group clients benefit from the experience, the resources, and the strong insurance company relationships that are leveraged on their behalf to effectively manage their needs for risk transfer, risk management, employee benefits, and other related services.

Ranked as the 2nd largest privately-held brokerage in the nation, the Leavitt Group provides their clients with greater insurance market access, specialty products, and a wide-range of insurance programs. Clients look to the Leavitt Group for property and casualty risk management, employee benefits solutions, and individual insurance policies. Clients also benefit from the consultative approach to risk management found within the culture of each office and the unique flexibility that comes with local, on-the-ground agency owners.

Leavitt Group and Fireman's Fund Award Grant to Evergreen Fire Rescue

The Leavitt Group and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company will donate $5,000 to Evergreen Fire Rescue during a public event on Saturday, March 31, 2012. The donation will be used to purchase fire-resistant clothing to be worn when responding to emergencies, such as fires or major vehicle crashes. Specifically, this donation will fund three sets of gear, including helmets, coats, and pants. This equipment protects from exposure to chemicals, heat, and flames.

“This gear is crucial for protecting our firefighters so they can rescue trapped victims and fight fires in toxic environments,” said Fire Chief Craig Williams. “This grant enables us to satisfy our most basic mission: saving lives. In terms of personal protection, a firefighter’s safety is only as reliable as his or her gear.”

The Leavitt Group’s Recreation and Hospitality Insurance (LRHI) agency partnered with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to donate the grant. As an agency with campground and RV Parks for clients, LRHI has customers that are very aware of the service provided by their rural fire departments. Many LRHI customers are located in scenic, remote areas and are exposed to risks of forest fires in addition to structural fires. With so many deserving fire departments across the nation, LRHI solicited names from customers at state and national conventions and online. Rocky Mountain Hi RV Park and Campground submitted the nomination for Evergreen, which was selected in a random drawing.

“The campgrounds really came out in support of their local fire departments,” said Chris Hipple of LRHI. “We were happy to be a part of the process to provide the much-needed gear to Evergreen.”

Jenkins Insurance Group Welcomes Chuck Somers

Jenkins Insurance Group is pleased to announce the hiring of Chuck Somers, CRIS, CISC, as vice president of business insurance. With more than 28 years of insurance experience, Somers will specialize in the construction, food processing, and manufacturing industries.
“I believe Jenkins provides me with excellent resources needed to provide practical and cost effective risk management solutions for our clients,” said Somers.
Somers first worked with California Casualty insurance company in San Mateo where he specialized in personal lines, including homeowners and auto insurance. In 1986, he joined Andreini and Company and worked as a producer in their agriculture and construction divisions. Somers later worked for a national broker where he was exposed to large national accounts until joining Winn and Company in 1994. Winn and Company was acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher in 2010, where Somers continued to work until joining Jenkins Insurance Group.
Somers is active with trade associations and continuing education programs, earning his Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and Commercial Insurance Specialist in Construction (CISC) designations. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a degree in business administration and finance. Somers lives in Danville with his wife and three children.
Located in Concord, San Jose, and Sacramento, Jenkins Insurance Group provides risk management, property and casualty insurance, and employee benefits programs to clients.

Leavitt Group and Fireman’s Fund to make donation to Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Leavitt Group and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company will donate $5,000 to the Georgia Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services during a public event on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. The donation will be used to purchase firefighter rehabilitation equipment and supplies.

“We are thankful for this generous donation,” said Fire Chief Dan Hansen. “Our men and women work hard every day to protect the community, and they deserve to be fully equipped to have their own safety protected.”

The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services, like many other fire agencies, have a limited budget and sometimes struggle to purchase and update equipment.

“Gwinnett County firefighters risk their lives for this community,” said Charlie Page of the Leavitt Group. “We are honored to have the opportunity to award this grant so they can do their jobs safely.”

The grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training, and educational tools to local fire department and burn prevention organizations. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,800 different organizations totaling more than $29 million. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like the Leavitt Group, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

Through this program, the Leavitt Group has directed over $160,000 in grants to fire departments nationwide.

Leavitt Group Welcomes David Bridges, CIC

The Leavitt Group, the nation’s 2nd largest privately-held insurance brokerage, is pleased to welcome David Bridges, CIC, as the President of the Leavitt Group’s Atlanta office. He will also serve as an Executive Vice President of the Leavitt Group’s affinity programs division.

Most recently with Wells Fargo Insurance Services as a Senior Vice President, Bridges has been in the insurance industry for over twenty years as a property and casualty specialist for large to mid-market accounts with an emphasis on commercial real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and professional associations.

"This is a great opportunity to be a part of a privately-held organization," said Bridges. "As such, the Leavitt Group has the unique ability to be more connected to the needs of customers."

Prior to working in insurance, Bridges had ten years of business experience as the Chief Operating Officer of a major floor covering distributor and installation contractor. Bridges graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Finance.

Leavitt Group of Atlanta has been in business since 1987 and has been affiliated with the Leavitt Group since 2003. The agency represents the top insurance companies in the country and are committed to building lasting relationships with clients and the insurance companies they represent.

Leavitt Group and Fireman's Fund Award Grant to Joplin Fire Department

$10,000 Helps Replace Wildland Gear Destroyed by Tornado

JOPLIN, Mo. (Dec. 12, 2011) – The tornado that hit Joplin in May caused unimaginable devastation throughout the community. Not only were homes, schools and a major hospital damaged and destroyed, the fire department also suffered significant loss. Two fire stations including most of the equipment were destroyed and four fire trucks were lost.

The Leavitt Group is partnering with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to donate $10,000 to the Joplin Fire Department to purchase equipment for fighting wildland fires, including two heavy-duty electric winches, two backpack blowers, emergency scene lighting, and four sets of coats, pants and helmets. The owner of the local IHOP restaurant that was destroyed in the tornado was instrumental in letting Leavitt know about the needs of the department.

“This grant has helped us restore our wildland firefighting capabilities,” said Fire Chief Mitch Randles. “We’re so thankful for the support. It helps us achieve our main mission­ -- serving and protecting the Joplin community.”

On December 14th at noon fire department officials, firefighters, executives from the Leavitt Group and Fireman’s Fund, and the local IHOP will come together at the Joplin Fire Department for a special public event where the grant package will be presented.

The grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire department and burn prevention organizations. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to nearly 1,800 different organizations totaling more than $28 million. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like the Leavitt Group, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

The Leavitt Group has directed more than $160,000 nationwide in grants supporting firefighters.

“We can’t think of a better way to support the firefighters in Joplin,” said Andy Pettise of the Leavitt Group. “The sooner the department can replace equipment lost in the tornado, the sooner they will be back to providing the high level of service to the community they did prior to the disaster.”

To visit Fireman’s Fund’s “Supporting Firefighters” Facebook page, go to http://www.facebook.com/SupportingFirefighters.

About Leavitt Group
The Leavitt Group, founded in 1952, is one of the largest insurance brokerages in the United States. It is an organization of affiliated independent insurance agencies with over 115 locations across the country and approximately $2 billion in annualized premiums. Leavitt Group affiliates are able to provide effective, sophisticated and creative risk management and risk transfer solutions to all types of businesses. For more information, visit http://www.leavitt.com/.

About Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
Founded in 1863, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal and commercial insurance products backed by industry-leading claims and risk management solutions. Fireman’s Fund is a leader in high-net-worth, entertainment, and green insurance. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group, one of the world’s largest providers of property and casualty insurance, ranked 27th on Fortune’s Global 500 list of the world’s largest corporations. For additional information, visit http://www.firemansfund.com/.

Bradford Backlund Featured in Employee Benefit Adviser

Bradford Backlund of Flanigan-Leavitt Insurance is featured on the cover of Employee Benefit Adviser magazine, November issue, as one of 10 young standouts in the benefits industry.

“Younger people bring a newer enthusiasm and a different way of looking at things in the insurance business,” says Backlund. As the industry as a whole sees many colleagues go into maintenance mode as they look ahead to retirement, Buckland is constantly looking for new business opportunities. “I have a young family I have to support 100 percent on my own,” he says. “I’m driven to put money on the books.”

Bradford is the president-elect of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) Nevada chapter and past-president of the NAHU Reno chapter. He has been recognized within the Leavitt Group as a top producer, and has received recognition within the Circles of Excellence award program.

To read the full article visit http://digital.employeebenefitadviser.com/employeebenefitadviser/201111_def#pg1.