IPMG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- West Coast Business Development Rep / Scottsdale, AZ
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- VP, New Business Development
Bob Spring graduated from Butler University with a finance degree. Bob started his insurance career as a producer for a retail broker. He joined IPMG in 2004 where he started marketing and servicing alternative risk programs. Bob is responsible for helping IPMG distribute products and services through agents and brokers. He spends a lot of his time on IPMG's largest program, Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust, making sure the needs of local public entities and their brokers are being met.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Risk Management Team
- Senior Vice President Insurance Program
- Senior Vice President of RMS
- SENIOR VP, RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
- VP, Risk Management Services
Brian Devlin, Senior Vice President Insurance Program Managers Group (IPMG), specialized in industrial medicine and workers compensation rehab from 1992 to 1997. During that time he provided therapy and rehab services for a global large equipment manufacturer and eventually a large Chicago area hospital's Industrial Medicine Program designing injury prevention programs to areas of high risk.
Brian moved from clinical healthcare in 1997, to a new market mono line workers' compensation carrier to design and implement injury prevention programs. In his roles there, he was the branch manager and supervised the risk management team. He was responsible for risk management field operations, program/service design, TPA services and agency development that expanded from IL to 7 additional states using a clinical model of injury prevention.
Brian moved to alternative risk insurance in 2004 with responsibilities for program development, local agent development, and risk management service design and delivery to the industries of healthcare, and local public entity insurance. Brian manages the risk management program for a large public entity pool in IL and is a keynote speaker to national & state associations in the fields of public entity and healthcare risk management. His current position is Senior Vice President of Risk Management Services for IPMG.
Job Titles:
- INTEGRATED OPERATIONS MANAGER
- Integrated System Operations Manager
Cheri joined IPMG in 2014 bringing 17 years of experience in all facets of operations within the health industry. She began her career as a claims examiner, learning all areas of claims management. After 6 years, she broadened her experience as a billing recovery specialist for a provider entity for workers' compensation with additional roles including medical coding, group health billing, settlement negotiations, and data risk analytics. Since IPMG has become the integrated data specialist identifying health risk and plan risk through multiple report avenues while streamlining operational systems for automation to organize production and provide compliant procedural guidelines. Cheri holds an associate degree in Health Information Technology from The Ultimate Medical Academy and has completed and holds her federal certification as a registered health information technologist through American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Job Titles:
- OPERATIONS and COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Christina has over 10 years of experience in compliance and operations, ensuring organizations are compliant with all regulatory processes. She began her career in Education performing audits for the state and then transitioned into the insurance world 7 years ago.
Christina brings with her a strong background in evaluation of testing procedures, preparation for external audits, reviewing reports for internal and regulatory agencies, and monitoring oversight procedures with advanced technology systems. As a central company resource, she also collaborates with divisional leadership and business partners in the design, implementation, and execution of business plans and compliance programs, ensuring the organization minimizes operational risk.
Additionally, Christina is proficient in the implementation of company and industry best practices, including claims risk management protocols, pharmacy program implementation, and occupational health network development.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
- ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE - EBS
- Sales
Dan joins IPMG having spent the last seven years as a brokerage manager for a large individual life and disability carrier. His role was primarily to grow brokerage sales and further develop their field representative's knowledgebase. Before starting his career in the insurance business, Dan graduated from Indiana University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs.
Dan now is an account executive for IPMG's EBS division tasked with growing the self-insured program along with ICRMT Employee Benefit Program.
He lives in Chicago with his wife and in his spare time could usually be found golfing, waterskiing, or rooting for the Blackhawks, Cubs, and Bears.
Job Titles:
- CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
Diane Mazur brings 25 years of experience in the medical industry to IPMG. Diane also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management, English and sociology. Her background in both sales and operations allow her the ability to balance clients' expectations with the operation team s abilities. She has worked in both large corporations as well as small startup companies. In ei the r configuration she has successfully anticipated client needs and was able to organize logistics within the company to meet client expectations. Professionally Diane has been nominated for various accolades and was awarded the "You make a difference" award for excellence in customer service. Diane is passionate about mentoring future leaders and shares her knowledge and skills with the account management and customer service team s. Her driving forces are continuous learning, improvement, and client service. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with animal rescue and discovering new podcasts while she walks outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Risk Management Team
- Vice President of RMS
- VP, RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Dorrie offers decades of experience as a healthcare executive and nursing director. Licensed as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Home Administrator, Dorrie has successfully directed a number of the country's largest long-term care facilities and networks. A Bachelor of Science in nursing and an MBA in health and hospital care management provide the foundation for Dorrie's clinical sensitivity and management expertise.
In 2000, Dorrie's company Method Management was subcontracted by Life Service's Network (LSN), Illinois' state-wide association that represents nonprofit senior service providers, to provide risk management consultation for its membership. Additionally, Dorrie is the well-respected author of the LifeLines articles, which have appeared weekly in LSN's and other state associations' publications, and is a sought-after speaker at the state and national level, sharing her risk management, regulatory compliance and leadership development strategies.
IPMG merged with Method Management in 2004 and expanded its scope to include direct consultation to long-term care providers, as well as professional liability and workers' compensation exposure-based risk management services. Dorrie currently develops, directs, and evaluates the liability/regulatory loss control services provided to all of the company's insurance program clients, including long-term care risk retention groups and public entities trusts in several states.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- PRESIDENT
Gregg Peterson brings over 25 years of insurance and related industry experience to IPMG. He began his career with one of the world's largest commercial insurance carriers where his primary responsibility was producing new business and servicing a substantial existing client base. In 1988, Gregg moved into the commercial brokerage side of the industry, holding the positions of assistant vice president and vice president with top international brokerages. In these roles, he developed his expertise in program development and administration for associations and purchasing groups, such as governmental entities, healthcare organizations and industry-related associations.
In 1997, Gregg started Insurance Program Managers Group (IPMG) to further build upon his experience in program development and management. Over the years, he has worked to develop and build additional companies within the IPMG framework, diversifying and expanding services and resources to IPMG clients and the independent agent community. These companies include property and casualty claims management, employee benefit TPA services, risk management, nurse case management and wellbeing services.
As president for IPMG, Gregg heads a team of highly qualified professionals whose primary focus is to provide exceptional insurance-related services and resources to the independent agent community and their clients.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- Sales
- VP, EBS
Jack joined IPMG in February 2011 after working in the TPA benefits industry for 13 years. Formerly, he was an insurance broker/investment advisor since 1983.
Jack earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from Southeast Missouri State University and currently holds insurance licenses in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. His experience in working with over 200 groups and their health insurance plans has proven to be an asset to IPMG prospects. Jack specializes in the stop loss insurance area and works with many contacts and carriers in that industry.
Jeff started his insurance career directly after graduating from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. He spent five years as an insurance agent in central Illinois, giving him a valuable understanding of what an agent needs to be successful.
Starting with IPMG in 1998 as one of the company's first employees, Jeff has been very involved in IPMG's public entity program. He brings over 14 years of experience in working with agents and public entities in every aspect of the insurance program.
Instrumental in the growth of all areas of IPMG, Jeff works closely with both agents and insureds to assist throughout the process of writing new business- from developing leads to participating in meetings with insureds that include public entities and general business clients. Over the years, his experience and knowledge with the insurance industry as a whole have played an integral role in IPMG's growth and innovation.
Job Titles:
- CLMS Manager of Absence Management
- in 2014 As Senior Benefits Claims Administrator
Job Titles:
- MANAGER of ABSENCE MANAGEMENT
Kim Bognar joined IPMG in 2014 as Senior Benefits Claims Administrator. Kim was promoted to Manager of Absence Management at IPMG in November 2020. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of absence management which includes providing direction, training, instructions, and guidance to the absence management team members. Kim is also instrumental in reporting functions including compiling and analyzing data. She brings over 14 years of short-term disability and absence management experience.
Prior to IPMG, she held various roles in the human resources field including employee benefits, compensation, employee relations, absence management, workers' compensation, and payroll.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Field Service Director
Clinical Field Service Director of Insurance Program Managers Group, Kimberly Gaston, MD, DC, is a safety and wellness advocate dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and safety of employees. She is accredited with her medical degree from the University of Health Sciences Antigua School of Medicine, Chiropractic license from Northwestern Health Sciences University and is Certified through the National Wellness Institute as a Corporate Wellness Provider.
She has spent 20 years of her career working with employers to expand the traditional employee wellness model into a true, comprehensive workforce health management approach with the focus of integrating safety and health to minimize the risk of illness and injury.
Job Titles:
- Director Nurse Case Management
- Director of NCM
- DIRECTOR of NURSE CASE MANAGEMENT
Joining IPMG's management team in 2010, Kim brings her 20 years of managed care and insurance industry experience. She has managed organizations that encompass case management, utilization review, networks, quality, training, and accreditation. Formerly, Kim held varied leadership roles in case management and utilization review, at a large national third party administrator and insurance carrier. Throughout her career, she has worked with a diverse population of clients in multiple business types in the private and non-profit sector.
Kim has a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Saint Francis and is a licensed registered nurse. She is a certified case manager and a certified disability management specialist.
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC ENTITY UNDERWRITING
Kristen joined IPMG in 2007 working as an Underwriter with the IPMG administered Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust public entity insurance program. She has also been involved with IPMG's Brokerage Unit as an Excess & Surplus lines binding underwriter and program underwriter. This consisted of working on a variety of accounts and lines of business, including student accident coverage, environmental liability, monoline property and workers compensation coverage. Additionally, she managed a book of business for a senior services program. Kristen was recently promoted to Vice President of Public Entity Underwriting, primarily focusing on the ICRMT program. Kristin is actively involved with the Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRIP).
She has Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Drake University.
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of OPERATIONS
Kristie joined IPMG in 2014 and has 25 years of Claim Operations experience in the Insurance industry. She began her career as a Claim Analyst and through her career has worked with both fully insured and self-insured claim operations; the last 15 years in Operations Management. Kristie holds a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and has earned her Associate, Life and Health Claims (ALHC) and Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) designations.
Job Titles:
- PUBLIC ENTITY TEAM DIRECTOR
- Public Entity Team Director for the Insurance Program
Mark Bell, Public Entity Team Director for the Insurance Program Managers Group, was a licensed and practicing physical therapist from 1993 until 2005. During this time, Mark realized that he wanted to focus on the prevention of work-related injuries, and the unfortunate and sometimes permanent pain and suffering associated with them. Thus, in 2005, Mark moved from healthcare to a loss prevention position with a monoline workers' compensation insurance carrier that administered workers' compensation insurance exclusively to long-term care facilities in several states, including Illinois. In 2009, Mark moved into an injury prevention and ergonomic consulting role for a large, national therapy provider. From 2005 onward Mark was able to effectively implement safety and injury prevention programs incorporating OSHA compliance, work practice controls, policy / procedure controls, environmental modifications, and engineering controls. These, combined with hiring controls and customized employee injury prevention education and training programs proved to be a very comprehensive and effective approach to reducing injuries, and the adverse financial and psychosocial impact of injuries on the organization and individual, respectively.
In 2012, Mark started with IPMG as a risk management consultant, working with Illinois public entities that are part of a large and growing Illinois public entity insurance pool administered by IPMG, the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust. During this time, Mark expanded his risk management and insurance knowledge to coverage lines beyond workers' compensation. In 2020 Markwas promoted to the Public Entity Team Director position, responsible for overseeing daily operations of the risk management team that services ICRMT members. Mark is also responsible for and involved in the ongoing refining and expansion of risk management program and services to ICRMT members. In addition, he trains and mentors new and current risk management consultants while continuing to provide risk management services to Illinois public entities, and a number of standalone clients as well .
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Development
- Sales
Prior to joining IPMG, Mr. Fiechter most recently held the position of Vice President of Sales for a national TPA, where he was responsible for building the Midwest territory.
Mark brings a proven track record to IPMG after 30 years in the insurance industry. He has worked for several Global Insurance Organizations in business development, account management and sales management with a focus on Accident and Health, Travel Assistance, Stop Loss, and TPA services. In addition to developing and managing sales teams that have continuously delivered outstanding results, he has expertise in P&L management and improvement, team building and leadership, relationship management and product development.
Matt started his insurance career at Allstate while obtaining his accounting degree from Northern Illinois University. After graduation, he spent several years performing internal audits for Kemper Insurance while gaining experience in all areas of a large insurance carrier. Matt also spent 7 years working for a public international software provider for the insurance industry, gaining experience with acquisitions and reporting.
Matt started with IPMG in 2006, and has been working with management to advance and grow their respective business units. His experience with acquisitions has insured that IPMG has taken advantage of the right opportunities for growth while maintaining a strong return.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of CMS
- VICE PRESIDENT of CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mike offers a variety of claims management experience that spans over 30 years to IPMG Claims Management Services. He began his career in the excess and surplus lines industry. This includes claims risk management with further exposure to underwriting, loss control, insurance accounting, marketing, and reinsurance.
Throughout his career, he has managed a multitude of P&C lines of business and workers' compensation programs in both the private and non-profit sector. His career focus has been servicing governmental and healthcare programs, including various risk pool program structures and other large, self-insured entities.
Mike also is well versed in the implementation of cost containment programs in line with best practices with proven results. This includes the implementation of claims risk management protocols, service platform design strategies, bill review and pharmacy program implementation, occupational health network development, modified duty - return to work programs and litigation management guideline implementation.
Mike has been with IPMG for 23 years and heads up their claims service division. He also sits on the Self Insurers Board for the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
Job Titles:
- Director of Healthcare
- DIRECTOR of HEALTHCARE DIVISION
Mike Miller is the Director of Healthcare for IPMG's program management division. With 20 years as a licensed professional insurance agent, he has spent the last eleven years of his career dedicated entirely to serving the long-term care sector. Prior to joining IPMG, Mike worked for an international broker, focusing on program development locally and nationally. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in public relations and marketing and holds the designation of Associate in Captive Insurance- an industry curriculum designed for those in the Alternative Risk Transfer arena such as self-insurance, captives and risk retention groups
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of WORKERS' COMPENSATION PRACTICE
- VP of WC Practice
With a Bachelor's Degree in finance from University of Illinois Chicago, Nathan came to IPMG in 2007. This is where he started his insurance career in the Brokerage Unit handling Workers Compensation renewals. Since his time here he has excelled and was promoted to Workers Compensation Practice Leader. His duties now include overseeing the work comp underwriters in all IPMG offices. Nathan's responsibilities include managing employees, growing premiums and expanding our foot print in the market place while maintainingthe highest level of customer service.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Paul started his career with IPMG in 2002, right out of college. He was the sole person in the Information Technology team at the time and has grown with the company and expanded his team. Over the years, Paul has worked with IPMG's management team to enhance business processes and improve their technological capabilities. Paul and his team are a driving force behind the integrated services and the platforms that serve them (In-Sightonline.com).
Paul's Information Technology team includes business/system analysts, developers, and support engineers. They have developed integrations between Employee Benefits Services, Workers' Compensation and Absence Management.
Job Titles:
- East Coast Brokerage Manager
- Southeast Brokerage Manager / Atlanta, GA
Job Titles:
- Member of the Society for Human Resource Management
- Vice President of HR and Personnel
- VICE PRESIDENT of HUMAN RESOURCES and PERSONNEL
Sue Oswalt brings many years of human resources experience to IPMG from the areas of consumer products, environmental consulting, and public accounting. Sue works closely with the Management Team at IPMG in developing HR strategy to support IPMG's business goals, and offers her professional experience in planning, development, implementation, and administration of Human Resources activities, including initiatives in organizational change, performance management, compensation, workforce planning, and hiring the best employees!
Sue is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and participates in local chapter meetings with SHRM.
Susanne offers a variety of claims handling and management experience that spans over 30 years in the insurance industry. She began her career in personal lines auto and homeowner's insurance, holding roles such as adjuster, litigation specialist, manager and trainer. She progressed to commercial liability and managed a team of commercial adjusters handling claims ranging from slip and falls in retail stores and restaurants to serious tractor trailer accidents.
Susanne has handled claims in multiple states, involving the knowledge of each state's various case laws. Susanne has held the role of Team Leader/Claims Manager with IPMG since June of 2019.
Her current focus is on public entity, supervising a team that handles law enforcement liability, public official's liability, employment practices liability, and auto and general liability claims.
Susanne works closely with clients, attending claim reviews, client meetings, mediations, and settlement conferences.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION and UNDERWRITING
- VP, IPMG - UNDERWRITING
With a background in underwriting, marketing and program development, Todd entered the insurance industry in 1986 and has worked for both insurance carriers and an international broker. He began his career as an underwriter before becoming involved in marketing to independent agents, underwriting specialty programs and developing association programs. Todd was primarily involved in larger casualty accounts in the service and construction fields.
After nine years working with insurance carriers, Todd joined a large brokerage in 1995 to help implement and underwrite a national construction program. While there, he helped develop several programs that were sold nationally through independent agents. Holding the industry designation of Associate of Risk Management, Todd also assisted in launching the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT) property and casualty program, currently IPMG's largest managed program.
In order to continue his work with the ICRMT, Todd joined IPMG shortly after the inception of the company and served as the marketing director. In 2011, he was named Senior Vice President, responsible for the program division and the commercial brokerage division in St. Charles. Duties include underwriting, marketing, reinsurance placement, and form and rate development for the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust.