Tag Archives: client news

Venture Insurance Programs Wins NAPSLO Marketing Award

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Suitelife “Rest Insured” Campaign Takes First Place at NAPSLO Annual Meeting

West Chester, PA. — Oct. 2, 2013 — Venture Insurance Programs (www.ventureprograms.com) today received first place in the NAPSLO Marketing Campaign Awards. This is the second award the program administrator received for their “Rest Insured” marketing and advertising campaign, which promotes their Suitelife program to hotels and resorts.

The “Rest Insured” campaign reflected the upscale branding of the properties served by Suitelife, while offering peace of mind through a specialized insurance program. The campaign included an email blast, advertising and direct mail featuring a Godiva gift box as a “taste of the Suitelife.”

The campaign was created by Vertibrands (www.vertibrands.com), a full-service marketing agency specializing in program administrators and the insurance sector. NAPSLO Marketing Campaign awards are judged by the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA) Showcase Awards creative judging team.

The award was presented to Michael Rogers, Executive Vice President Venture’s property unit, at the NAPSLO Annual Convention in San Diego. NAPSLO, the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Inc. (http://www.napslo.org), is a national trade association representing the surplus lines industry and the wholesale insurance distribution system.

About Venture Insurance Programs
Venture Insurance Programs (www.ventureprograms.com) is a leading program administrator that designs, underwrites and distributes industry-specific insurance packages. Based in West Chester, Pa., Venture has underwriting alliances with the world’s leading carrier groups, including Chubb, Allied World, QBE, RSUI, USLI, Zurich North America and Lloyd’s of London. Founded in 1993, Venture provides specialty insurance packages for select vertical industries—including golf and country clubs, golf destination resorts, hotels, resorts, hunting and fishing lodges and city and social clubs.

J.Morgan Salon Joins Lafayette College to Fight Breast Cancer

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Luxury salon raises awareness & funds with pink hair extensions

EASTON, Pa., Oct. 2, 2013 — Today, J.Morgan Salon and Home Store begins a month-long fundraiser to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The salon is donating the proceeds from the sales of pink hair extensions to a fundraiser organized by Lafayette College group Students Against Cancer.

All proceeds provided to Lafayette’s Students Against Cancer group to be donated to various breast cancer charities. Last year J.Morgan raised more than $1,000 for the local college charity organization.

“This is a great, fun way to give back to the students and staff at Lafayette, as well as bringing attention and support to an important cause,” says Jayson Morgan, co-owner and lead stylist of J.Morgan Salon and Home. “J.Morgan also serves as a wig bank for the American Cancer Society in Easton, providing no-cost wigs and fittings throughout the year.”

The salon is donating the proceeds from all pink hair extensions sold through Oct. 31, 2013. Appointments are preferred for hair extension applications; those interested can make an appointment by calling (610) 258-3480.

About J.Morgan Salon and Home
J.Morgan Salon (www.jmorgansalon.com) is an artistic hair salon in Lehigh Valley, Pa., dedicated to providing clients with an inviting, one-on-one experience with high-quality hair cut, color and styling services. Led by Jayson Morgan, a Redken International Artist, Certified Colorist Certified Designer, J.Morgan exceeds expectations. For more information, please call (610) 258-3480 or visit J.Morgan Salon at jmorgansalon.com or at www.facebook.com/jmorgansaloneastonpa.

Innovative Office Products Launches Busby™

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Popular USB Mount Unveiled at Neocon Now Available, Begins Shipping To Consumers

EASTON, Pa. – Sept. 16, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com), today announces Busby, the world’s first flat panel monitor mount with built‐in USB ports, is available and has begun shipping to customers. A video of Busby in action details the convenience and ease of use of the product.

Busby

“The Busby prototype was a huge hit at Neocon in June,” explained Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “Since then, we’ve received a lot of calls and emails wanting to know when it will be available, and that time is now.”

Busby integrates four USB ports into a flat-panel monitor mount, providing convenient access for charging and connecting all USB-enabled devices without consuming additional desk space.

“The USB ports are right in front of you, completely unobstructed,” said Tosolt. Busby combines easily with flexible mounting arms and eliminates the need for adding additional hubs to laptops. For those working on computer towers, Busby eliminates the need to move the tower or to crawl under desks to find available USB ports, potentially damaging the computer itself in the process.

The mount includes power cord and computer connections in the back, and four USB ports in front. It is compatible with most flat panel monitor arms made by Innovative.

To order Busby, please call (800) 524-2744.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com) blends function and style that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative Office Products offers mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desks and walls.

TeenCentral.Net Celebrates 15 Years of Helping Children

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Peer support, information, anonymous access to trained counselors are hallmarks of one of the first, oldest online safe havens for kids

OREFIELD, Pa. – TeenCentral.Net, one of the earliest online safe havens for teens providing information, resources and access to trained counselors, celebrated 15 years of operation at a gala event on the Orchard Hills campus of KidsPeace on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013.

Nearly 50 attendees helped recognize the work of TeenCentral.Net, including the site’s staff, volunteers, local business patrons and guest speaker Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen for 2013, Katie Schreckengast.

TeenCentral.Net’s director, Dr. Julius Licata, spoke of the hours of dedication from staff and volunteers, donations and support from businesses and individuals that help TeenCentral.Net operate, and the real-world impact of TeenCentral.Net’s work.

“As philanthropic endeavors go, we are having a tremendous impact,” Licata told the evening’s attendees. “We’re helping children with a range of issues like self esteem and bullying, while also playing an important role in stopping all-too-prevalent violence in and around schools today.”

Licata helped launch TeenCentral.Net with the help of the late Ginger Papp, a 32-year employee of KidsPeace to whom the evening was dedicated. He said he is looking forward to continuing to help teens from ages 11 to 18 all around the United States through TeenCentral.Net.

As Licata noted, TeenCentral.Net has helped more than 500,000 teens and parents throughout the United States since its launch in 1998.

“And just like the children we help, we continue to grow and adapt to the world around us. TeenCentral.Net added three new communities just this year: a section for foster care children, children of military families and children seeking to learn more about many of the world’s religions.,” noted Licata. “At fifteen, we’re just getting started.” The official anniversary of TeenCentral.Net’s launch is Sept. 8.

ABOUT TEENCENTRAL.NET
TeenCentral.Net is a unique prevention, intervention and aftercare Web site developed by KidsPeace, a national not-for-profit mental and behavioral healthcare charity headquartered in Lehigh Valley, Pa. TeenCentral.Net’s mission is to help teens safely and anonymously tell their stories and receive sound advice within 24 hours from specially trained volunteers and counselors. All postings by teens and volunteers are reviewed by Master’s level clinicians before appearing on the site. To learn more, visit TeenCentral.Net.

AAMGA Votes to Expand Membership

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Members vote to amend bylaws, broadening representation of the wholesale insurance market

AUG. 27, 2013 – King of Prussia, Pa. – The American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) announced today its members have voted to amend the association’s bylaws and expand membership to include all wholesale insurance professionals who have underwriting or binding authority and meet other minimum standards of the association.

Balloting occurred between July 26 and Aug. 26 with more than 63 percent of eligible members voting. The proposed bylaw amendments passed with an overwhelming majority.

“This is a significant moment in AAMGA’s continued evolution and development in line with our 87 year history,” explained Frank Mastowski, CPCU, CIW, president of AAMGA’s Board of Directors. “Our members recognize the wholesale insurance landscape continues to change. The revised strategic focus of the association will broaden members networking access to markets and other industry practitioners. It will support technical underwriting and other professional educational development through the AAMGA University, and further the strength of our advocacy with regulators and legislators domestically and internationally.”

According to the AAMGA Executive Director Bernie Heinze, the board of directors will now take additional steps to implement the new by-law changes. The board will also expand curriculums for AAMGA University, the group’s professional education and training arm.

“These new bylaws were designed to ensure those market professionals working in the wholesale insurance space with binding or underwriting authority have a place to go where peer networking, education and advocacy resources are available,” said Heinze. “By broadening our membership, we’re strengthening and advancing the importance of the entire wholesale insurance marketplace.”

The AAMGA board of directors proposed the by-law changes to members in May 2013 after a two-year strategic review. Without the Association changing its core values, membership will now be open not only to MGAs, but also to MGUs, program administrators, aggregators and other wholesale insurance professionals who meet stringent membership standards. Among the standards are minimums for years in business, annual written premium, and underwriting or binding authority.

ABOUT AAMGA
The American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) is the wholesale insurance community’s international trade association. Founded in 1926, the AAMGA today represents over 500 corporate members and is respected as a leader in and voice of the wholesale and excess and surplus lines insurance industry. Membership in the AAMGA is highly selective and therefore the wholesalers admitted to the ranks are those who annually subscribe to a Code of Ethics and demonstrate the highest standards of excellence, experience, integrity and insurance company representation. Headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, the nonprofit Association and its University Foundation provide substantive benefits and service to its members throughout the year. Learn more at www.aamga.org

American Modern Launches Claims Management and Training Firm

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Specialty Insurance Services (SIS) features hands-on claims training and a national network of claims adjustors for property and casualty products

Amelia, Ohio – August 5, 2013 – American Modern (www.amig.com)), a leading provider of specialty property and casualty insurance products, today announced the launch of a new claims management and training firm, Specialty Insurance Services Corporation (www.siservices.com). The new firm will offer property and casualty claims adjusting and training services to companies across all segments of the insurance industry, including retail and wholesale brokerage firms, MGAs and MGUs, insurance companies and insurance-related services.

View video footage of SIS here: http://bit.ly/14VjYuq

“SIS is built on the claims expertise of American Modern, which has insured and managed claims for specialty property and recreational products for the past 45 years,” said Manny Rios, president and CEO of American Modern. “SIS claims training offers a unique, hands-on training experience in our 32,000 square-foot facility, while featuring a national network of experienced claims adjusters in 170 locations nationwide – all with a focus on P&C products.”

SIS claims management will provide first- and third-party specialty claims services, including complete claims administration, desk and field adjusting, catastrophic claims management, and support to insurance providers and their policyholders.

SIS claims training features real-world repair shop settings for P&C products. “SIS promotes the true hands-on experience of tearing down then repairing damaged property and vehicles,” said Kevin Morreale, senior vice president of SIS. “Students learn, first-hand, the real cost and length of time it takes to complete the repair.”

About American Modern
American Modern (www.amig.com) is a national specialty insurance carrier with approximately 1.7 million policyholders. Licensed in all 50 states, the company delivers flexible, specialty coverage across the property and recreational markets. A subsidiary of Munich Re, one of the world’s leading risk carriers, American Modern is rated A+ Superior by A.M. Best Company and has been ranked one of Ward’s top 50 performing insurance companies since 1999.

Glatfelter Risk Control Receives Public Sector Safety Award

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Department head and team recognized for contribution to ASSE technical literature

July 29, 2013 — Daniel Mahoney, CIH, CSP, Vice President of Risk Control at Glatfelter Public Practice (GPP) was the recipient of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Public Practice Specialty Safety Professional of the Year Award. This award program recognizes safety professionals who have made a significant contribution to advancing the profession.

The award was announced on June 26th at ASSE’s Safety 2013 Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas.

Mahoney and his team at the GPP Risk Control Department are active ASSE members. This award recognized the entire department for their consistent publication of valuable technical articles in the ASSE Public Sector Practice Specialty Newsletter.

Mahoney has been a part of the Risk Control team at Glatfelter Public Practice for 9 years. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and holds a bachelors of science from The Pennsylvania State University. As Vice President of Risk Control, he consults with clients to reduce risks, helps policyholders respond to employee concerns and provides management guidance in industrial hygiene, health, safety, transportation and property risk management.

About Glatfelter Program Managers
Glatfelter Program Managers (GPM) is a strategic business unit dedicated to Glatfelter Insurance Group’s program business. Based in York, Pa., GPM is one of the premier managers and recognized specialists of niche markets in the country. GPM manages and markets several specialty programs, including VFIS for fire departments, ambulance and rescue squads, and 911 centers; Glatfelter Public Practice for educational institutions, municipalities, independent school bus contractors and water/sewer entities; Glatfelter Healthcare Practice for skilled care, assisted living, independent living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), personal care and group homes, hospice, home health care agencies and other private homecare agencies; and Glatfelter Religious Practice for churches, synagogues and other religious institutions.

Innovative Office Products Hires New Marketing Director

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Marian Watkins joins Lehigh Valley manufacturer

EASTON, Pa. – July 25, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com), today announces Marian Watkins has joined the Easton, Pa.-based company as its new marketing director. Previously, Watkins spent more than four years with Dorman Products in Colmar, Pa., where she most recently served as marketing manager.

“Innovative continues to roll out new products that help workplace environments adapt to the ergonomic and space-saving needs of today’s workforce,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “Marian is an excellent addition to our team, and her experience with product marketing will prove valuable to the new product launches we’re planning in the months ahead.”

In her new role, Watkins will be responsible for leading the company’s marketing strategies across all platforms, developing customer marketing programs, and launching integrated product marketing plans. She will report directly to Tosolt.

“With the recent launch of the Easton Lean Tools brand and a number of new products in the pipeline, it’s an exciting time to join Innovative Office Products,” said Watkins. “I’m eager to contribute to the forward momentum of the company and its success.”

Watkins, a resident of Emmaus, Pa., earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the LIM College in New York.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.lcdarms.com) blends function and style that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.

Brownyard Group Introduces Revamped Website

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Site redesign provides a better user experience for customers and agency partners

Bay Shore, N.Y. — July 22, 2013 — Brownyard Group is pleased to announce the launch of their redesigned website www.brownyard.com. The specialty program administrator has refreshed the design and content of their site to make it more accessible for all users, from current and prospective insureds to agents and industry partners.

The intuitive interface and easy navigation, as well as the updated program information and visuals deliver an enhanced user experience. These features will assist agents in evaluating products for their clients and in accessing the library of customizable marketing materials.

Though its look has changed, the web address remains the same — visit www.brownyard.com to view the new site.

About Brownyard Group
Brownyard Group is a program administrator that has developed and provided specialized insurance programs for select industries for more than 60 years. These industries include security guards, pest control operators, cosmetics manufacturers, alarm systems, private investigators and security consultants and the beauty industry. In 1993, Brownyard established Brownyard Claims Management, a loss prevention and full-service insurance claims facility.
The company is based in Bay Shore, N.Y.

KidsPeace Launches Online Resource for Military Kids

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‘Growing Up Military’ provides anonymous counseling and support
to aid teens raised in military families

Schnecksville, Pa. – June 26, 2013 – As U.S. troops continue withdrawal from foreign theaters, military families across the country are adapting to family members who are returning, and those who, unfortunately, are not. To support the children of these families, KidsPeace today announces the launch of “Growing Up Military.”

This new community – part of TeenCentral.Net – provides children of military families with free access to trained counselors, relevant information, gaming interaction and peer support.

“There’s been a lot of talk about and media coverage on troops returning and reintegrating into their lives,” says Julius Licata, Ph.D., director of TeenCentral.Net. “What we don’t hear about are the children. Be it through a parent or sibling, these kids have experienced multiple deployments, faced uncertainty, loss, multiple relocations and much more. ‘Growing Up Military’ gives them an outlet; a forum; a safe place to ask for help or advice.” According to Licata, “Growing Up Military” allows children 11 to 18 years old to share their questions and concerns. Answers or guidance are provided within 24 hours from a master’s or doctorate level counselor.

Users log into “Growing Up Military” and are identified publicly only by pseudonyms. Other features include simple games, shared stories from other children of military families, searchable topics related to life as a child of a military family and more. All of this is designed to encourage these military kids to return as often as possible to the community.

“Because June is National PTSD Awareness Month, we wanted to begin the discussion of military kids and their families at a time of heightened awareness for our troops,” says Licata. “Our hope is to raise the same kind of awareness for the kids dealing with their own kinds of stress as members of military families.”

In 1998, KidsPeace helped pioneer online support services for teens by launching TeenCentral.Net to provide a safe and accessible place for kids. The site is free, anonymous and allows teens to log on, submit their stories and receive professional counseling within 24 hours, along with advice from their peers.

About KidsPeace
For 130 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities throughout the United States. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened in 1882, more than
200,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers. For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.