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Practical ideas for what’s next.
Designed for independent insurance agency owners and leaders, IA Evolve brings together perspectives from across the independent agency ecosystem. Explore strategies, tools and insights you can put to work in your agency now, with sessions covering growth, technology, AI, market opportunities, agency operations and more.
Choose the topics most relevant to you and build your own IA Evolve experience.

Conference Program
Arrive early to explore the Innovation Lab, connect in the networking lounge, visit the resource area, stop by the photo booth, and get started on the event scavenger hunt before the main stage program begins.
Kick off IA Evolve with opening remarks from Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, followed by a main stage conversation with industry leaders from across the independent agency ecosystem. This session will explore how agency growth, carrier relationships, technology, market access, and client expectations are evolving—and what those changes mean for independent agency owners, producers, future owners, carriers, technology partners, and others across the P&C industry.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Take a short break, visit the Innovation Lab, connect in the networking lounge, explore resources, or continue the scavenger hunt before making your way to the first set of concurrent sessions.
See AgencyIQ, Powered by SIAA, in action and learn how SIAA members can use data and AI-supported insights to identify opportunities, prioritize client and growth conversations, and focus their efforts where they can have the greatest impact. This practical session will demonstrate AgencyIQ through real agency use cases and show how better intelligence can support everyday decision-making, client engagement and growth. AgencyIQ is available to SIAA member agencies as part of their membership.
John Flannery
SIAA
John Flannery
SIAA
Explore how carrier priorities, product strategy, underwriting discipline, and market trends are shaping growth opportunities across the independent agency channel. This session will help agency principals, producers, carrier partners, and industry professionals better understand how alignment can support profitable, sustainable growth.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Learn how SIAA supports independent agencies with broader market access, operational resources, business intelligence, specialty capabilities, and growth support. Current members will get a clearer view of resources they may not yet be using, while prospective members can better understand how SIAA helps agencies compete, operate, and grow.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
Gain perspective on commercial lines trends, product evolution, underwriting expectations, and small business opportunities that matter to independent agencies and their partners. This session is designed to help attendees understand where the market is moving and how agencies and carriers can support stronger client value and growth.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Hear directly from agency owners in a main stage panel discussion focused on how retail agencies are modernizing day-to-day operations. This session explores practical approaches to workflows, automation, agency management systems, data, and AI-supported processes, with real-world perspective on what is working, what is challenging, and how agencies can improve efficiency, execution, productivity, and client experience without losing the human connection that defines independent agencies.
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Visit the Innovation Lab throughout the day to explore solutions, connect with other attendees, and access resources designed to support agency growth, operations, market access, specialty placement, technology, and client experience. Attendees can also stop by the resource area, visit the photo booth, and participate in the event scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Move beyond broad AI trends and focus on realistic, high-value use cases for independent agencies and the partners who support them. This session highlights practical ways AI can support client communications, renewal preparation, account summaries, follow-up, internal handoffs, first drafts of marketing content, and administrative efficiency—while keeping privacy, accuracy review, and human judgment at the center.
Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
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Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
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Agencies rely on more technology than ever, but adding tools doesn’t necessarily make an agency more efficient. This session would focus on how systems, integrations and data need to work together to support agency workflows, reduce duplicate effort and make it easier for teams to get work done. It could also address what agencies should consider when evaluating integrations or adding new technology to an existing environment.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Learn how risk management trends, underwriting insight, customer education, and carrier expertise can strengthen client relationships and improve outcomes across the independent agency channel. This session is designed to help agencies and carrier partners deepen advisory value, improve collaboration, and identify opportunities to support better decisions for clients.
Glenn Westrick
Travelers
In August 2013, Glenn E. Westrick was appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations for The Travelers Companies, Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company’s federal, state and international government relations and political strategies. He began his career at Travelers in 2007, accepting positions with increasing responsibility before relocating to Hartford, Connecticut in May 2012, as Vice President and Director, Government Relations. Prior to joining Travelers, Mr. Westrick was Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services where he advised Chairman Michael G. Oxley and members of the Committee on issues and legislation related to capital markets, with specific focus on insurance. He assisted Chairman Oxley in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act proposal (SMART), as well as the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006, and the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act of 2006. He came to the House Committee on Financial Services after practicing law, most recently at Clausen Miller, P.C., in New York City. Mr. Westrick is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Avon, CT, with his wife, Teresa, and their two children Kathryn and Steven.
Glenn Westrick
Travelers
In August 2013, Glenn E. Westrick was appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations for The Travelers Companies, Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company’s federal, state and international government relations and political strategies. He began his career at Travelers in 2007, accepting positions with increasing responsibility before relocating to Hartford, Connecticut in May 2012, as Vice President and Director, Government Relations. Prior to joining Travelers, Mr. Westrick was Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services where he advised Chairman Michael G. Oxley and members of the Committee on issues and legislation related to capital markets, with specific focus on insurance. He assisted Chairman Oxley in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act proposal (SMART), as well as the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006, and the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act of 2006. He came to the House Committee on Financial Services after practicing law, most recently at Clausen Miller, P.C., in New York City. Mr. Westrick is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Avon, CT, with his wife, Teresa, and their two children Kathryn and Steven.
Improve confidence in placing complex risks by focusing on submission quality, underwriting expectations, wholesale collaboration, and practical market access. This session helps agency owners understand when to seek specialty support, how to package risk details clearly, and how to improve placement outcomes for hard-to-place accounts.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
Understand the core systems, integrations, and workflow decisions that shape how an agency operates day to day. This session helps agency owners evaluate technology more clearly, avoid unnecessary complexity, and identify where tools can create immediate operational efficiency.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Focus on practical tactics agencies can use to improve producer productivity, sales follow-up, pipeline visibility, renewal preparation, cross-sell opportunities, and account prioritization. This session gives agency owners, leaders, producers, and future owners actionable ideas for strengthening business development discipline and helping teams focus time on the right opportunities.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
A strong carrier relationship can support much more than access to products and markets. From prospecting and sales resources to underwriting expertise, risk management and retention support, carriers offer tools and capabilities that agencies may not be fully using. This session looks at how independent agencies can engage their carrier partners throughout the client lifecycle to help win new business, strengthen client relationships, and retain more of what they write.
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Explore how communication, marketing automation, client segmentation, retention strategies, and digital engagement can strengthen relationships and create more consistent client touchpoints. This session helps agency owners think more intentionally about client experience as a driver of retention and growth.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Kick off IA Evolve with opening remarks from Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, followed by a main stage conversation with industry leaders from across the independent agency ecosystem. This session will explore how agency growth, carrier relationships, technology, market access, and client expectations are evolving—and what those changes mean for independent agency owners, producers, future owners, carriers, technology partners, and others across the P&C industry.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
See AgencyIQ, Powered by SIAA, in action and learn how SIAA members can use data and AI-supported insights to identify opportunities, prioritize client and growth conversations, and focus their efforts where they can have the greatest impact. This practical session will demonstrate AgencyIQ through real agency use cases and show how better intelligence can support everyday decision-making, client engagement and growth. AgencyIQ is available to SIAA member agencies as part of their membership.
John Flannery
SIAA
John Flannery
SIAA
Explore how carrier priorities, product strategy, underwriting discipline, and market trends are shaping growth opportunities across the independent agency channel. This session will help agency principals, producers, carrier partners, and industry professionals better understand how alignment can support profitable, sustainable growth.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Learn how SIAA supports independent agencies with broader market access, operational resources, business intelligence, specialty capabilities, and growth support. Current members will get a clearer view of resources they may not yet be using, while prospective members can better understand how SIAA helps agencies compete, operate, and grow.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
Gain perspective on commercial lines trends, product evolution, underwriting expectations, and small business opportunities that matter to independent agencies and their partners. This session is designed to help attendees understand where the market is moving and how agencies and carriers can support stronger client value and growth.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Focus on practical tactics agencies can use to improve producer productivity, sales follow-up, pipeline visibility, renewal preparation, cross-sell opportunities, and account prioritization. This session gives agency owners, leaders, producers, and future owners actionable ideas for strengthening business development discipline and helping teams focus time on the right opportunities.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
A strong carrier relationship can support much more than access to products and markets. From prospecting and sales resources to underwriting expertise, risk management and retention support, carriers offer tools and capabilities that agencies may not be fully using. This session looks at how independent agencies can engage their carrier partners throughout the client lifecycle to help win new business, strengthen client relationships, and retain more of what they write.
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Explore how communication, marketing automation, client segmentation, retention strategies, and digital engagement can strengthen relationships and create more consistent client touchpoints. This session helps agency owners think more intentionally about client experience as a driver of retention and growth.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Kick off IA Evolve with opening remarks from Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, followed by a main stage conversation with industry leaders from across the independent agency ecosystem. This session will explore how agency growth, carrier relationships, technology, market access, and client expectations are evolving—and what those changes mean for independent agency owners, producers, future owners, carriers, technology partners, and others across the P&C industry.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Explore how carrier priorities, product strategy, underwriting discipline, and market trends are shaping growth opportunities across the independent agency channel. This session will help agency principals, producers, carrier partners, and industry professionals better understand how alignment can support profitable, sustainable growth.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Jeff Hannon
Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
Learn how SIAA supports independent agencies with broader market access, operational resources, business intelligence, specialty capabilities, and growth support. Current members will get a clearer view of resources they may not yet be using, while prospective members can better understand how SIAA helps agencies compete, operate, and grow.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
James Keane
SIAA
Jack Calabrese
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
Gain perspective on commercial lines trends, product evolution, underwriting expectations, and small business opportunities that matter to independent agencies and their partners. This session is designed to help attendees understand where the market is moving and how agencies and carriers can support stronger client value and growth.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Adam Edelstein
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
Learn how risk management trends, underwriting insight, customer education, and carrier expertise can strengthen client relationships and improve outcomes across the independent agency channel. This session is designed to help agencies and carrier partners deepen advisory value, improve collaboration, and identify opportunities to support better decisions for clients.
Glenn Westrick
Travelers
In August 2013, Glenn E. Westrick was appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations for The Travelers Companies, Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company’s federal, state and international government relations and political strategies. He began his career at Travelers in 2007, accepting positions with increasing responsibility before relocating to Hartford, Connecticut in May 2012, as Vice President and Director, Government Relations. Prior to joining Travelers, Mr. Westrick was Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services where he advised Chairman Michael G. Oxley and members of the Committee on issues and legislation related to capital markets, with specific focus on insurance. He assisted Chairman Oxley in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act proposal (SMART), as well as the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006, and the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act of 2006. He came to the House Committee on Financial Services after practicing law, most recently at Clausen Miller, P.C., in New York City. Mr. Westrick is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Avon, CT, with his wife, Teresa, and their two children Kathryn and Steven.
Glenn Westrick
Travelers
In August 2013, Glenn E. Westrick was appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations for The Travelers Companies, Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company’s federal, state and international government relations and political strategies. He began his career at Travelers in 2007, accepting positions with increasing responsibility before relocating to Hartford, Connecticut in May 2012, as Vice President and Director, Government Relations. Prior to joining Travelers, Mr. Westrick was Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services where he advised Chairman Michael G. Oxley and members of the Committee on issues and legislation related to capital markets, with specific focus on insurance. He assisted Chairman Oxley in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act proposal (SMART), as well as the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006, and the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act of 2006. He came to the House Committee on Financial Services after practicing law, most recently at Clausen Miller, P.C., in New York City. Mr. Westrick is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Avon, CT, with his wife, Teresa, and their two children Kathryn and Steven.
Improve confidence in placing complex risks by focusing on submission quality, underwriting expectations, wholesale collaboration, and practical market access. This session helps agency owners understand when to seek specialty support, how to package risk details clearly, and how to improve placement outcomes for hard-to-place accounts.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
A strong carrier relationship can support much more than access to products and markets. From prospecting and sales resources to underwriting expertise, risk management and retention support, carriers offer tools and capabilities that agencies may not be fully using. This session looks at how independent agencies can engage their carrier partners throughout the client lifecycle to help win new business, strengthen client relationships, and retain more of what they write.
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Dan Kirby
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
Kick off IA Evolve with opening remarks from Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, followed by a main stage conversation with industry leaders from across the independent agency ecosystem. This session will explore how agency growth, carrier relationships, technology, market access, and client expectations are evolving—and what those changes mean for independent agency owners, producers, future owners, carriers, technology partners, and others across the P&C industry.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Hear directly from agency owners in a main stage panel discussion focused on how retail agencies are modernizing day-to-day operations. This session explores practical approaches to workflows, automation, agency management systems, data, and AI-supported processes, with real-world perspective on what is working, what is challenging, and how agencies can improve efficiency, execution, productivity, and client experience without losing the human connection that defines independent agencies.
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Agencies rely on more technology than ever, but adding tools doesn’t necessarily make an agency more efficient. This session would focus on how systems, integrations and data need to work together to support agency workflows, reduce duplicate effort and make it easier for teams to get work done. It could also address what agencies should consider when evaluating integrations or adding new technology to an existing environment.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Move beyond broad AI trends and focus on realistic, high-value use cases for independent agencies and the partners who support them. This session highlights practical ways AI can support client communications, renewal preparation, account summaries, follow-up, internal handoffs, first drafts of marketing content, and administrative efficiency—while keeping privacy, accuracy review, and human judgment at the center.
Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
This message and any attachments may contain protected confidential information and are for review only by the individual or entity to which the sender intended the message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete immediately and notify the sender.
Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
This message and any attachments may contain protected confidential information and are for review only by the individual or entity to which the sender intended the message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete immediately and notify the sender.
Improve confidence in placing complex risks by focusing on submission quality, underwriting expectations, wholesale collaboration, and practical market access. This session helps agency owners understand when to seek specialty support, how to package risk details clearly, and how to improve placement outcomes for hard-to-place accounts.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
D.J. Postles
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
Understand the core systems, integrations, and workflow decisions that shape how an agency operates day to day. This session helps agency owners evaluate technology more clearly, avoid unnecessary complexity, and identify where tools can create immediate operational efficiency.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Focus on practical tactics agencies can use to improve producer productivity, sales follow-up, pipeline visibility, renewal preparation, cross-sell opportunities, and account prioritization. This session gives agency owners, leaders, producers, and future owners actionable ideas for strengthening business development discipline and helping teams focus time on the right opportunities.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
Rob Owen
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
Explore how communication, marketing automation, client segmentation, retention strategies, and digital engagement can strengthen relationships and create more consistent client touchpoints. This session helps agency owners think more intentionally about client experience as a driver of retention and growth.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Jason Walker
Agency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
Kick off IA Evolve with opening remarks from Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, followed by a main stage conversation with industry leaders from across the independent agency ecosystem. This session will explore how agency growth, carrier relationships, technology, market access, and client expectations are evolving—and what those changes mean for independent agency owners, producers, future owners, carriers, technology partners, and others across the P&C industry.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
Matt Masiello
CEO, SIAA
As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
Karen Eckert
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
Hunter Moss
CEO, SIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
Graham Blackwell
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Tim deRosa
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
See AgencyIQ, Powered by SIAA, in action and learn how SIAA members can use data and AI-supported insights to identify opportunities, prioritize client and growth conversations, and focus their efforts where they can have the greatest impact. This practical session will demonstrate AgencyIQ through real agency use cases and show how better intelligence can support everyday decision-making, client engagement and growth. AgencyIQ is available to SIAA member agencies as part of their membership.
John Flannery
SIAA
John Flannery
SIAA
Hear directly from agency owners in a main stage panel discussion focused on how retail agencies are modernizing day-to-day operations. This session explores practical approaches to workflows, automation, agency management systems, data, and AI-supported processes, with real-world perspective on what is working, what is challenging, and how agencies can improve efficiency, execution, productivity, and client experience without losing the human connection that defines independent agencies.
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Frank Sentner
Sentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
Evan Silverio
Silverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Chris Paradiso
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
Anurag Shah
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Brandon Hill
Stockton-Hill Insurance
Move beyond broad AI trends and focus on realistic, high-value use cases for independent agencies and the partners who support them. This session highlights practical ways AI can support client communications, renewal preparation, account summaries, follow-up, internal handoffs, first drafts of marketing content, and administrative efficiency—while keeping privacy, accuracy review, and human judgment at the center.
Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
This message and any attachments may contain protected confidential information and are for review only by the individual or entity to which the sender intended the message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete immediately and notify the sender.
Justin Lair
Vertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
This message and any attachments may contain protected confidential information and are for review only by the individual or entity to which the sender intended the message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete immediately and notify the sender.
Agencies rely on more technology than ever, but adding tools doesn’t necessarily make an agency more efficient. This session would focus on how systems, integrations and data need to work together to support agency workflows, reduce duplicate effort and make it easier for teams to get work done. It could also address what agencies should consider when evaluating integrations or adding new technology to an existing environment.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Michael Ley
Hawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
Understand the core systems, integrations, and workflow decisions that shape how an agency operates day to day. This session helps agency owners evaluate technology more clearly, avoid unnecessary complexity, and identify where tools can create immediate operational efficiency.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Rob Bourne
EZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Built for the Independent Agency
Whether you’re running an agency, building one, selling insurance, supporting agencies, or helping shape the future of the industry, IA Evolve gives you a clearer view of what’s ahead
Discover new opportunities, improve operations, and build a stronger path to growth.
Sharpen sales execution, improve follow-up, and focus time where it matters most.
Find practical ways to reduce friction, improve workflows, and create a better client experience.
Better understand agency priorities and discover new ways to create value together.
Event Exhibitors
Welcome to [Event Name]! Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, inspiration, and connection. Our event brings together industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to share knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster valuable connections. Explore innovative ideas, discover new opportunities, and be a part of this vibrant gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious newcomer, there’s something for everyone at [Event Name]. Get ready for a day of learning, networking, and fun. See you there!
Vice President, Independent Agent Sales for National General
READ BIOIndependent Agent Sales for National General
Rob Owen is Vice President of Independent Agent Sales for National General, an Allstate Company, where he oversees sales operations and agency partnerships across multiple states. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob specializes in sales leadership, agency development, strategic growth, and team performance. A Virginia Tech graduate, he is passionate about building strong relationships and helping independent agencies succeed.
Director Networks & Associations, Vertafore
READ BIOVertafore
Justin has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, beginning his career as an insurance agent and then moved into the technology segment of the industry working for technology vendors focused on the providing solutions for independent insurance agents.
Justin currently leads the Networks & Associations team at Vertafore and works closely with insurance networks, industry associations, and partners. Justin has a track record of building long lasting relationships, understand evolving needs, and helping to connect insurance professionals with technology solutions that can make a meaningful difference to the operations of their business.
This message and any attachments may contain protected confidential information and are for review only by the individual or entity to which the sender intended the message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete immediately and notify the sender.
AVP, Personal Lines Sales, Grange Insurance
CEO/President, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
READ BIOBerkshire Hathaway GUARD
Adam Edelstein is a transformational insurance executive with deep property and casualty expertise and a proven record of leading high-growth organizations. Known as a transparent and decisive change agent, he is a disciplined operator who brings a rigorous focus to underwriting, distribution, and delivery while effectively engaging teams and partners through periods of significant change. Since October 2023, Adam has led Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies through a successful multi-year remediation to position the company for profitable growth. GUARD is now on the path to become a leading U.S. small business insurer with workers’ compensation as its flagship offering, built upon more than four decades of expertise in both voluntary and residual market programs. Previously, Adam spent nearly five years as Chief Operating Officer of Munich Reinsurance America’s specialty commercial business, where he oversaw more than a doubling of premium and significant bottom-line improvement. Earlier roles include COO of Hiscox USA, both growing a brokerage business as well as the scaling of Hiscox Direct – the industry’s first digital-direct commercial lines offering. Additionally, he helped Berkshire Hathaway stand up “THREE,” an innovative small business insurance platform. Adam fell into insurance as a second career in the mid-2000’s with a data and analytics consultancy focused exclusively on U.S. P&C. An attorney by training, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he is an instrument-rated pilot supporting nonprofit patient airlift services and an accomplished offshore sailor.
READ BIO
Jack serves as the Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, leveraging his extensive
experience in recruitment, sales, and strategic growth initiatives. Joining
SIAA in 2018, Jack has consistently played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion efforts, most recently as the Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales before taking on his current position. As Chief Growth Officer, Jack is responsible for driving SIAA's growth strategy, focusing on recruiting new members nationally and fostering the organic growth of existing members through a range of training and growth coach resources and programs.
Jack's tenure at SIAA is marked by significant achievements, including a
transformative approach to Life and Benefits. His strategic enhancements to traditional Life Insurance products have markedly increased their revenue potential for both member and master agencies, demonstrating his ability to innovate and lead within the insurance sector.
Prior to SIAA, Jack’s career in the insurance industry spanned various significant roles at renowned companies such as New England Financial, American General, Chubb, and Lincoln Financial, where he supported independent insurance distribution channels. His extensive experience is highlighted by over two decades at Liberty Mutual, where he held several key leadership positions. In these roles, he was instrumental in directing learning and development initiatives, overseeing technology solution
implementations, and leading business process improvements.
Jack attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Communications, and Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This background in communications has played a crucial role in his leadership
and strategic initiatives within the insurance industry.
As the Chief Growth Officer, Jack Calabrese remains a cornerstone of SIAA’s mission, harnessing his deep industry knowledge and dedication to excellence to steer the organization toward sustained growth and
success.
Agency Revolution
READ BIOAgency Revolution
Jason Walker is the President of Agency Revolution (AR), an FMG company that offers insurance agencies and their insurance carrier partners turnkey digital marketing, sales and service solutions to achieve operational efficiency and profitable growth. The all-in- one AR suite includes websites, sales and service pipelines, marketing and
communication automation, texting, online review and reputation management, social media, and local listings. AR has integrated with the leading third-party agency management systems (AMS) to ensure timely, relevant and personalized communications throughout your client's journey.
SVP and General Manager, EZLynx
READ BIOEZLynx
Rob Bourne is the SVP and General Manager of EZLynx. He previously served as SVP at Applied Systems, overseeing Inside Sales, Account Management, Business Development, and Alliance Partnerships. Before that, he held senior roles at Athelas and Podium, where he spearheaded growth, revenue strategy, and operations. With an MBA from Cornell University and extensive experience in AI-driven platforms, Bourne brings strategic insight and proven expertise in scaling innovative technology solutions.
Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Travelers
READ BIOTravelers
In August 2013, Glenn E. Westrick was appointed Senior Vice President, Government Relations for The Travelers Companies, Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company’s federal, state and international government relations and political strategies. He began his career at Travelers in 2007, accepting positions with increasing responsibility before relocating to Hartford, Connecticut in May 2012, as Vice President and Director, Government Relations. Prior to joining Travelers, Mr. Westrick was Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services where he advised Chairman Michael G. Oxley and members of the Committee on issues and legislation related to capital markets, with specific focus on insurance. He assisted Chairman Oxley in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act proposal (SMART), as well as the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006, and the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act of 2006. He came to the House Committee on Financial Services after practicing law, most recently at Clausen Miller, P.C., in New York City. Mr. Westrick is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Avon, CT, with his wife, Teresa, and their two children Kathryn and Steven.
Hawksoft
READ BIOHawksoft
Michael Ley brings more than 20 years of experience as an insurance agent and agency owner to his role at HawkSoft. Before joining the company, he was an active member of the HawkSoft User Group (HUG), giving him firsthand experience with agency technology from both the user and industry perspectives. Today, Michael works with insurance networks, clusters, associations and large enterprises on education, programming, training and technology needs.
SIAA
Director of Enrollment, Agency IQ, SIAA
Stockton-Hill Insurance
President, Sequel Insurance Agencies
READ BIOSequel Insurance Agencies
As President of Sequel Insurance Agencies, Tim leads the strategic buildout of SIAA’s retail insurance agency venture, designed to extend SIAA – The Agent Alliance’s market-leading position in the network space while creating additional, accretive value and optionality for Master Agency partners and Member Agencies. The launch of Sequel further expands SIAA’s total-solution offering for the independent agency channel. In his role, Tim is responsible for enterprise leadership across the retail platform.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience across the carrier, wholesale, and retail segments of the insurance industry. He has held senior leadership roles at Chubb, founded and successfully sold
a wholesale/MGA business to a private equity–backed firm, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Risk Strategies Private Client Services, where he specialized in serving high-net-worth clients. Across these roles, Tim has built and scaled insurance operations, integrated acquisitions, developed high-performing teams, and cultivated long-standing industry relationships.
In addition to his professional leadership, Tim remains actively engaged in both industry and community organizations. He holds the CIC designation and has served as a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Family Office Exchange (FOX). He also served on AIG Private Client Group’s National Strategic Broker Council and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Bend FC, combining his leadership experience with a passion for youth sports.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in international government and politics from Drew University, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team and received both all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He resides in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and three children, and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and golf.
CEO, President and Incoming CEO, Applied Systems
READ BIOApplied Systems
Graham Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, leads Applied Systems’ overall business strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. Prior to being named CEO, Graham served as President of Applied Systems, where he was responsible for the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, including Ivans, EZLynx, and Applied Pay.
Graham joined Applied in 2020 from SMS Assist, where he led the company’s sales, marketing, and strategy functions as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to SMS Assist, he spent nearly eight years with Bain Capital’s Private Equity operating team, partnering closely with the boards and management teams of Bain Capital portfolio companies.
Earlier in his career, Graham was an Associate Partner with McKinsey & Company and a consultant with Accenture.
Graham holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA from Ohio University.
Chief Data Officer, SIAA
READ BIOSIAA
As SIAA’s Chief Data Officer, Anurag is responsible for developing and executing the overall Data, Analytics and AI Strategy across the organization. This includes deploying data platforms across members as well as Master agencies and strategic carrier partners. He is also responsible for developing the analytics and AI roadmap that will help the organization achieve its vision. Anurag has over 25 years of experience of building and scaling technology products and services. Before joining SIAA, Anurag was the CEO and Co-Founder of DONNA.ai (Aureus Analytics) where he led the organization's overall growth, product roadmap and execution strategy and the eventual sale to SIAA. At DONNA ai he worked closely with a large number of independent insurance agencies across the US and helped them grow their businesses using AI and Data. Anurag started his first technology venture – ESI, at the age of 24, which was later acquired by Omnitech, where he served as the COO & Head of Global Operations. Prior to ESI, he worked for IBM & CBay systems. Anurag's strengths lie at the intersection of business and technology, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is a co-author of two patents: Network Analysis and SentiMeter®. Anurag is an engineering graduate from the University of Mumbai and has studied management at NMIMS in Mumbai and executive management from the ISB, Hyderabad. He has also studied Machine Learning from Stanford. As a technology entrepreneur and artificial intelligence subject matter expert, Anurag is continuously thinking of disruptive ways to connect the evolution of AI and its application to various industries, including insurance. Anurag lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
Paradiso Finacial and Insurance Services
READ BIOParadiso Finacial and Insurance Services
Chris Paradiso stands as one of the most influential and forward-thinking agency owners in the insurance industry today. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Chris’s relentless commitment to exceptional customer service has propelled his agency, Paradiso Insurance, into a thriving operation of 50+ employees. Founded in 2006, the agency has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s prestigious National Agent for the Future Award in 2019. Currently licensed in 44 states, Paradiso Insurance is on track to achieve nationwide licensing in all 50 states. Chris’s visionary leadership extends beyond his agency. Through his coaching platform, Paradiso Presents, he has inspired and guided hundreds of insurance agencies to innovate and achieve success. His influence is further amplified by his roles on the advisory boards of Rough Notes, a leading insurance publication, 101 Weston Labs, Phase 4 Veterans Wall, and the Flagpole Committee. In 2010, Chris was recognized for his work within his local community and throughout Connecticut when he received the Community Service Award from Rough Notes spotlighting the various ways, he gives back including the Bikes for Reading program, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Annual Flag Day Event. In 2011, Chris launched “Paradiso Presents,” a groundbreaking program focused on social media marketing, data utilization, and process optimization. This initiative equips insurance agencies with the tools to thrive in today’s complex, technology-driven landscape. His innovative marketing strategies have been widely adopted across the industry, earning him a reputation as a digital trailblazer in a field often slow to embrace technological advancements. Chris’s work with Aureus Analytics exemplifies his commitment to leveraging data for enhanced customer insights and service. By championing the use of cutting-edge analytics, he is helping agencies nationwide improve their customer relationships and financial performance. At his core, Chris Paradiso is a family man who leads with the belief that family is everything and that passion for one’s work transforms it into a lifelong joy. His dedication to innovation, community, and mentorship continues to shape the future of the insurance industry.
READ BIO
D.J. Postles is Chief Underwriting Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform built to simplify E&S placement for member agents. He owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier relationships. D.J. carries 25 years of underwriting and leadership experience across global carriers, specialty MGAs, and reinsurance organizations. He has built and led high-performing underwriting teams, driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker and carrier partnerships.
D.J. holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business and a B.A. from Hamilton College. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he is active in his local church parish, the Knights of Columbus, and spending time with family, staying physically active, and playing piano and guitar.
Silverio Insurance Agency
READ BIOSilverio Insurance Agency
Evan Silverio is President & CEO of Silverio Insurance Group consisting of Silverio Insurance, Woodcome Insurance and Secky Insurance; independent P&C agencies operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Building on a family business founded in 1986, he has grown the group into a multi-agency platform serving a diverse, multilingual client base built through organic growth, agency acquisitions and talent development. He is also a real estate investor and an active civic leader in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.
Sentwood Consulting
READ BIOSentwood Consulting
Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 50 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic technology consulting for large insurance brokerage firms. Frank led the development of the first ACORD Forms-based agency management system while working for Insurnet in 1976. He started his consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world. For the last decade, Frank has focused on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms and is currently on the board or advisory board for eight startups. His only remaining corporate consulting client is ACORD.
CEO, SIAA Xchange
READ BIOSIAA Xchange
Hunter Moss is Chief Executive Officer of Xchange, SIAA's embedded wholesale and MGA platform, built to simplify E&S placement for members. He sets the strategic vision, owns the platform and program roadmap, and secures the carrier and Lloyd's capacity behind new programs. Hunter has spent his career building MGAs, launching carrier relationships, structuring reinsurance programs, and navigating the Lloyd's of London market. He has also led M&A transactions, raised capital from strategic investors, and created underwriting platforms from the ground up.
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Business Leader, National Accounts, Progressive Insurance Jeff Hannon joined Progressive in 2005 as the Ohio Regional Sales Manager and has held a variety of roles within Agency Distribution. Since 2021, Jeff has led National Accounts, responsible for large account strategy and execution focused on profitably growing our share within Progressive’s largest relationships. Jeff has spent the vast majority of his career working with independent agents. Immediately prior to joining Progressive, Jeff was the AVP of Agency Management for Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University. Jeff lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Dawn, and they have two grown sons.
SVP, Personal Insurance Agent Distribution, Travelers
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Karen Eckert is Senior Vice President of Personal Insurance Agent Distribution at Travelers. She oversees the Agent Distribution organization for Personal Insurance, which includes seven regional sales teams, inside sales, a national partners sales team, an agency enablement circle and a home office field sales operations group. Her team is comprised of 260 sales professionals who support over $14 billion in premium across more than 20,000 independent agency locations in the U.S. With over 35 years of agency experience in both Business and Personal Insurance, Karen joined Travelers in 2009 in the Select business unit, leading several regions before moving to Personal Insurance and assuming her current role leading the Personal Insurance Agent Distribution Team in 2023.
CEO, SIAA
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As CEO of SIAA, Matt Masiello has responsibility for executive management of the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the United States and its related companies, providing leadership to senior executives of SIAA and Master Agencies across the country.
His more than 30 years of industry experience have instilled in him the skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead SIAA. Matt has responsibility for the organization's overall success,including providing strategic vision for its future and piloting the organization in the execution of that vision. SIAA includes the following strategic business units:
• The Agent Alliance has 49 regional Master Agencies covering all 50 states with over 5,200 independent insurance agencies as Members, which write over $17 billion in P&C premium.
• Sequel Insurance Agencies is a Top 100 retail agency.
• Xchange – Powered by SIAA is a wholesale and MGA platform dedicated to providing member agencies with faster, easier, and frictionless processes in conjunction with non-standard submissions.
• Portfolio IQ is a data driven platform utilizing AI to provide business intelligence that improves growth quality and operational efficiencies for members and partners. In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
• Developed SIAA's internal operations and executed its strategic direction as COO for over 10 years.
• Provided leadership and operational management beginning in 1993 for SAN Group (SIAA's founding and largest Master Agency), as President and CEO.
• Published Insurance Agency 4.0 (Nov 2020), a book depicting how IAs can prepare their agency for the future, develop a digital road map, and increase profit, scalability and time.
• Received the IBA Hot 100 Award in 2017, as a leader shaping the future of the insurance industry.
• Led SIAA, its Member Agencies, Master Agencies and Strategic Partners in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, and a number of other philanthropic organizations.
In the last 30 years, Matt has become a subject-matter expert in the field of insurance distribution and agency development. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications, including Insurance Journal, Property Casualty 360, National Underwriter Magazine, PIA Magazine, Independent Agent, Best's Review and The Standard. Matt is also a frequent presenter and speaker at a variety of insurance conferences, meetings and events.
He has served on regional and national advisory councils for numerous insurance companies and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tilton School. Matt resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire with his wife and three sons. When not working, you can find him and his family boating, fishing, hiking, traveling, or skiing.
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