2006 UGM Speakers
 

 

2006 National User Group Meeting Speakers
 
  James P. Kellner, CEO of DORIS and Applied Systems, Inc., has devoted his professional life to insurance technology. For 20 years, Kellner has been an integral part of Applied Systems’ growth to the industry’s leading provider of technology solutions. In September 2004, Kellner and Vista Equity Partners acquired Applied Systems, which merged with DORIS in April 2006. Kellner has received numerous industry awards. In 2005, Kellner received the Legacy Award from ASCnet, Applied Systems’ national user group; and the Rainmaker Award from standards organization ACORD. Also, for the fifth consecutive year, he was among the 100 Most Powerful People in the Insurance Industry in North America published by Insurancebroadcasting.com.
 
 
 
 
  Nancy Jahelka, DORIS Sales Consultant, has spent over 25 years in the insurance business. She was even awarded “Outstanding CSR of the Year” by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors in 1994. She has worked as a Personal Lines Manager, as well as Education coordinator. She has a CIC and AAI designation and served as prior Secretary for the Southern Tier of NY IIAA.
  Gayle Griffith, DORIS Account Representative, brings over 25 years in the insurance and agency management systems experience. Gayle started working in the insurance industry for Continental Insurance Company in upstate New York. Then going to an independent insurance agency working in the Personal Lines Department as a CSR and then Personal Lines Supervisor. She also worked as an account manager / implementation coordinator/trainer for an agency management system in Massachusetts specializing in the accounting setup and installation before coming to DORIS as a trainer and has now recently joined the Sales Department.
  Stephania Burnett, DORIS Regional Sales Manager, began her career in insurance at the age of 14 working in her father's independent insurance agency. Her 19 years of insurance agency experience ranged from customer service, account review for renewals, sales, advertising and office management. Throughout high school and college, she has obtained her P&C and L&H licenses and earned a BS degree in Risk Management.  Stephania has also obtained her Series 6 and 63, Variable Life and Variable Annuity licenses.
 
 

Lee Ann Higdon started in the insurance business during High School in the claims department of a large Independent agency. A move to the Atlanta area included moving into the software side of the insurance business after 15 years on the agency side. In 1995, Lee Ann joined Applied Systems, Inc. in the training department and has worked in the Quality Assurance testing department for TAM and Content Development. With Client Learning Services she had trained on site and web based classes for TAM and Vision and is now training the DORIS clients. Lee Ann resides in Conyers, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. She lived in Florida for a number of years after moving from her birthplace of Paducah, KY. 
  Deb Mansfield, DORIS Product Instructor, joined DORIS early in 2006. With an extensive background in managing, supporting and training in data management systems, Deb brings over 17 years in the Information Technology field. Deb recently worked at a local utility as a Communications, Training and Change Management Project Manager for a company-wide rollout of a new work management system. She has also created and maintained a website for a non-profit organization. Deb enjoys volunteering for local community organizations and helping them with their technical improvement needs.
  Lynne Robbins, has worked in customer service for the past 15 years, in which 5 has been with Applied Systems in the Communications Support department. After a year and a half, she has made Senior Tech, Level 1; and after 3 years made Senior Tech, Level 2. In addition to that, Lynne has received recognition as Tech of the Month numerous times, as well as having achieved Tech of the Year for 2004. Lynne has specialized in and taught many classes on Transformation Station.
  Jackie Lastowski, Escalation Specialist, has been assisting insurance agents with their automation needs for over 20 years. Prior to her 20 years with Applied Systems, she worked in the insurance business in several different capacities ranging from account manager to commercial underwriter. Jackie’s years of insurance experience have proven valuable in her position to identify with agent issues and ensure customer satisfaction. Jackie resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
  Kelly Curtiss, DORIS Sales Consultant, is the most recent addition to the DORIS Sales team with over 3 years of Insurance Industry Experience. Kelly has obtained my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and started her insurance career as an auto claim processor for State Farm Claims in Kalamazoo, MI. Kelly holds her Michigan P&C and L&H license and has recently obtained her CISR designation. Kelly has worked for Citizens Insurance processing auto/home and umbrella policies. Working in such various areas has allowed her to see how she can impact the many aspects and challenges of selling and maintaining insurance policies. 
  Robert G. Slocum, CPCU, CIC, Bob entered the insurance business at the age of 16 as a bookkeeper in his family run insurance agency (part time after school).  At the age of 18, he received his broker's license and worked in the agency and sold insurance while attending URI where he majored in finance and insurance.  After graduation, Bob completed the Aetna Home Office Sales Course and began to pursue the CPCU and CIC designations. Since that time Bob has been actively involved in a wide variety of industry activities and had the privilege and honor of representing my peers in many capacities as an agent leader.           Read Full Bio
  Daniel F. McCarthy, CEO and Founder of Insurex, "Dan" is a nationally known executive, consultant, strategist, and speaker in the insurance and financial services sector. With over 18 years of executive experience in finance, underwriting, claims management and sales, Dan has established himself as an effective executive and a visionary leader. Dan has served on the board of directors and various committees for the California Workers’ Compensation Institute, the California Workers’ Compensation Rating Bureau, and the IIAA’s Agents Council for Technology. Read Full Bio
  Jim Valentine, IT Manager, Drive Technology Systems, is responsible for Drive Insurance from Progressive's agent download systems and agency management system automation initiatives. He has twenty years of combined business and technology experience at Progressive with the past four years focused on agent technology.
  Tim Woodcock is the founder and CEO of Courtesy Computers, Inc. With a rich computer background since 1973, he holds several certifications and a degree in Computer Science. He founded Courtesy Computers in 1986, after recognizing the need for qualified IT specialists dedicated to the automation needs of small and medium sized businesses. His company has been a Trusted Advisor to Insurance Agencies for many years, and works very close with the agency management software vendors. His company also provides IT consulting, network management, and online data backup services for businesses throughout the United States, with an intense focus on their security and disaster recovery needs. Full Bio
 

Adam Kotter, founding partner of The Kotter Group, a privately held, Atlanta-based, networking consulting firm, brings over 10 years of technical and entrepreneurial experience. Originally specializing in computer hardware, he continuously develops his technology skills and education to meet the demands of an ever changing industry. As Managing Partner of Technology and Development for The Kotter Group he has been a guest speaker at many technology conferences. He has extensive experience with hardware, software, networks, consulting, technical support, web hosting and design, email server management, internet technology, business workflow and technology dynamics, software development and testing, programming project management.