Meet Our Experienced Underwriters

Betsy Adach spent her entire five and half year underwriting career with State Farm Insurance company in Malta, New York. During that time she gained experience in both life and health products including long term care. Her educational background includes a BS in Marketing and Management and a BA in Political Science from Siena College where she graduated Cum Laude. She also obtained the FLMI designation in 2003.

Lisa Arnett, ACS, underwrote for 16 years at Jackson National Life Ins. Co. in Lansing, MI. She attained the position of Senior Underwriter. During her time at Jackson National, she also mentored several underwriting trainees. Lisa has completed 2 years of college Spanish. Her industry coursework include: LOMA's 1, 2, 3, and 4, ACS, and ALU 1.

Beth L. Banocy joined IBU with five years of experience in the life insurance industry. She was the brokerage manager at a life brokerage agency, providing underwriting assistance to a variety of Life companies. Beth underwrote the impaired risk submissions, obtained APSs and provided detailed synopsis to the life underwriters. Prior to joining the underwriting community, Beth served 20 years within the Medical Community and during that time, was part of the executive committee of Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park MD. Beth has received her Bachelor's of Science in Business Management/Healthcare Management from the University of Maryland.

Sarah Bramblett, FLMI, began her reinsurance underwriting career with General Reassurance in Dallas. She spent the next 24 years at Cigna Re in Dallas until the office closed in 1997. Sarah then underwrote for Optimum Re before joining IBU. Sarah has 28 years of reinsurance underwriting expertise. She has underwritten primarily Life products with exposure to Disability Income. IBU clients and proposed insureds enjoy her friendly Texas charm.

Jeff Brockman began his underwriting career in 1984 at Franklin Life in Springfield, Illinois. After three years, he relocated to Lexington, Kentucky where he underwrote for Kentucky Central. Upon the closure of Kentucky Central, Jeff went to Guardian Life in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania where he reached the level of Assistant Chief underwriter. Jeff has a BS degree from Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

Mary Lou Brignano comes to IBU with over 20 years experience in the insurance industry. She spent 11 years underwriting for Travelers Insurance/Metrahealth in Hartford, CT. She also worked for Highmark Life Insurance Company (also in CT). Mary Lou has underwritten Individual Life, Health, and Disability insurance. She has an Associates Degree in Business.

Pat Burns brings ten years of underwriting experience to IBU. She began her career at Protected Life in Sharon, PA before moving on to National Guardian Life. Pat has underwritten Individual Life and Disability insurance as well as death and disability claim underwriting.

Grace D'Astice began her underwriting career in 1981 with All American Life in Chicago, IL. In her career, she's had a diverse experience consisting of life underwriting, health underwriting, group medical, and claims adjudication. During her 20 plus year career Grace has underwritten for several companies in the Chicago area including, Zurich Kemper Life, Allstate, Bankers Life, Met Life and Washington National.

Doreen DeWilde, began her group health and life underwriting career in 1990 with Employers Health Insurance which eventually became part of Humana. Along with underwriting she is a team leader for several underwriting corporate initiatives some of which included Ingenix, Workflow, and On-line Enrollment. She achieved Senior Underwriter status and has worked for Touchpoint Health Insurance Co which eventually merged with United Health Care. She was a Senior Underwriter in medical and life and Special Projects Underwriter for United Health Care prior to joining IBU in January of 2006. Before Underwriting she worked as a Nurse for 15 years, mainly working in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit. She held the title of President of the Door County Wisconsin Nursing Association for 5 years. Her education is in Nursing, Supervisory Management, HIAA & LOMA.

Lynn Dreist, FLMI, comes to IBU with 11 years of underwriting experience. She began her career as a Life and Disability underwriter with Milwaukee Life. Upon leaving Milwaukee Life, she worked as a Life Underwriter for American General and Northwestern Mutual Life in Milwaukee, WI. Lynn received a BA in English from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lynn was instrumental in developing the IBU/APS selection guidelines.

Suzan Ferguson , ACS, began her underwriting career in 1996 as a Life Underwriter with United Presidential Life in Kokomo, Indiana. When UPI was acquired by Conseco in 1999, Suzan remained with Conseco. She has experience in Life, LTC and Med Supp attaining the level of Sr. Underwriter. Suzan joined IBU in 2004. She has an A.A.G.S from Indiana University.

Rita Freda Prior to joining IBU, Rita spent her entire insurance career at Western Reserve Life in St. Petersburg, Florida. Rita was a Life Underwriter for the last 7 years. She has passed several insurance exams and currently holds her NASD Series 6.

Laura Frey spent her entire underwriting career with Companion Life, Mutual of Omaha's New York subsidiary. She has 6 years of Life Underwriting experience working with the demanding New York field force. Laura received a BA in Management from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.

Ann Gawel-Dombrowik. Prior to joining IBU, Ann spent the first 13 years of her Insurance career at Connecticut Mutual Life in Hartford, Ct. Underwriting the last 8 years there. Then 3 years combined at Phoenix Life and Security Connecticut (both in CT). Ann was a Life Underwriter working with both Brokerage and Direct Life Insurance and serving as a mentor for Underwriter trainees. She has passed several insurance exams in her career.

Terri Gross spent her entire underwriting career with Northwestern Mutual Life in Milwaukee, WI. During her 7 years as a Life Underwriter, she attained the level of Life Underwriting Specialist. She also passed the NASD series 6 and 26 exams. Terri received a BA in Speech Education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Jan Haban has five years of life underwriting experience from Nationwide Life in Columbus, Ohio. In addition she has passed the Ohio agents license exam and the NASD Series 6. Jan has a BA in English from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Kathy Hack CLU has 9 years of underwriting experience. From 2001-2004, she was the Chief underwriter for American Founders Life in Scottsdale Arizona. She has her CLU designation and has also passed the NASD Series 6. Kathy has an Associates of Arts Degree from Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois.

Carole Halpin began her underwriting career right out of college in 1980 with the Travelers insurance company in Hartford, Connecticut. She has also underwritten for Connecticut Mutual Life, and Hartford Life. In her career she has become very proficient at individual life and disability underwriting. At Hartford Life she underwrote the group life and disability application that require medical underwriting. Carole has a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. In addition she earned the FLMI and AALU designations, both with distinction.

Betty Halter has 37 years of individual life underwriting experience. She spent the first 18 years with American National Life in Galveston Texas. Betty and her husband moved to Durham, North Carolina where she worked for 10 years with Integon and Peoples Security insurance. Betty then moved back to Galveston to work the rest of her career at American National. Betty has returned to her roots in North Carolina to work for IBU.  

LaDonna Hart's underwriting career span 20 years. She began with Prudential in Jacksonville, Florida before transferring to the Plymouth, Minnesota service center in 1993. In 1998 She relocated to Chicago and worked for Zurich life in an underwriting/management capacity. In 2002 she joined North American Company for Life and Health where she attained an approval authority of $3,000,000. LaDonna has her FLMI, ACS and AALU designation. She has also passed the NASD Series 6 and can interpret EKG's. LaDonna holds a BA Degree in Business Management from St. Catherine's College in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Lisa Henderson ACS, comes to IBU with 19 years in the Insurance Industry. She spent 5 years with Empire Blue Cross & Blue Shield in Albany N.Y. in Health Claims and 14 years with State Farm Insurance Co. in Malta N.Y. as a Senior Life/Health Underwriter. She specialized in Individual Life New Business and Policy Changes Underwriting as well as Agency Staff Training.  

Karen Hindman began her underwriting career in 1981 with Associates Life of Indianapolis, IN. She has spent the last 18 years of her career as a reinsurance underwriter with AUL and ERC in Indianapolis. During that time she reached the level of underwriting consultant and focused on facultative case underwriting. Karen has a BA in Consumer Studies from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.

Angela Holloway has over 11 years experience in the insurance industry. She began her career in the Allstate Insurance Claims division in Miami FL. Before coming to IBU, she worked at State Farm Insurance Company as a Life, Health and Disability Underwriter in Winter Haven FL and Chalotesville, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Jill Holm, ACS, spent her entire underwriting career with American Republic in Des Moines, IA. In her 6 years at American Republic she was an underwriter for both Life and Major Medical. Jill was also promoted to Underwriting Auditor where she reviewed the accuracy and decisions of other underwriters.

Sherri Jennings FLMI, comes to IBU with eight years of experience in the insurance industry. She spent three years with Liberty Mutual Insurance handling worker's compensation claims in Shreveport, Louisiana. She then moved on to State Farm Insurance in Monroe, Louisiana, as a life underwriter and spent her last four years as a life service supervisor. Sherri has her FLMI and ACS, and can interpret EKGs. Sherri holds a degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA.

Sandy Johnson worked for Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company in Manhattan Kansas for 23 years. She began working in the Accounting Department, moved to Assistant Underwriter for several years and then spent 6 years as a Life Underwriter. She also underwrote Disability and Hospital Confinement Insurance as well. She joined IBU in the Fall of 2005.

Paula Kam began her 10 yr career in the life insurance industry as a Registered Representative working with Variable Annuities and Variable Universal Life Coverages. She has spent 6 years in life insurance underwriting as a Career Life Underwriter and Senior Underwriter. She has worked for The MONY Group and William Penn prior to joining IBU inc. Paula has graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University at Buffalo with a BS degree in Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Human Resources. She has also obtained an MBA degree from LeMoyne College. She has passed the NASD series 6 exam, LOMA 1 and 2, ALU 1 and 2.

Jana Kooker, ACS, spent her entire underwriting career with American Republic in Des Moines, IA. In her 7 years at American Republic she was an underwriter for both Life and Major Medical applications. Jana was promoted to Underwriting Trainer where she trained new employees to underwrite Major Medical insurance.

Donna Kornas joins IBU after a 30 year career with the Prudential Insurance Company in Plymouth, Minnesota. Donna spent 26 years as a life underwriter. During that time Donna served on the company’s first Imaging Pilot Team. She also participated on the team that created the schedule for off-hours phone coverage and compressed work week. In addition, she earned 100% Quality Review scores for Technical and Customer Impressions and passed the NASD Series 6 exam.

Billie Jo Lauby began her underwriting career as a Small Group underwriter with Trustmark in Lake Forest, IL. After leaving Trustmark, she worked for 5 years as a Life underwriter for Allstate Life, Vernon Hills, IL and Zurich Kemper Life, Schaumburg, IL, attaining the level of Senior Underwriter. She received a BA in Finance with a Minor in Insurance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Kim MIller comes to IBU with 5 1/2 years of Life/Health underwriting experience and 3 years of Health Claim experience. She began her Life/Health Insurance career with State Farm Insurance in 1996 working as a Health Claims Examiner reviewing and paying bills and approving disability claims. In 1999, she switched to become a Life/Health Underwriter, conducting her own telephone interviews with clients as well as interpreting medical records. She has experience underwriting for LTC (Long Term Care), Infant, Hi-Value, preferred risk, term and permanent products, as well as health insurance products. She holds an AAS in Mechanical Engineering & Drafting from Adirondack Community College and a BS in Business Marketing & Management from Regents College.

Julio Muniz Bilingual (English/Spanish) Medical underwriter began his 4 year underwriting career with Humana in Miramar, Florida, underwriting both Health and Life Policies. Upon leaving Humana, Julio underwrote traditional life and life settlements cases for Sun Life through GIR, and also for local brokerages agencies in Florida. Julio brings 12 years of experience as a medical doctor in Cuba, combined with 5 years specializing in general pediatrics.

Grace Nanfito spent her entire eight year underwriting career at Mutual of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. During that time she underwrote both career and brokerage business achieving an approval authority of $1,000,000. Grace attained the HIA and ACS designation and served as a board member on the Nebraska Home Office Underwriters Association.

Melissa Ortiz, FLMI, began her underwriting career with Travelers in Hartford, CT. Upon leaving Travelers, Melissa spent the next 9 years as a Reinsurance Underwriter with Cigna Re in Bloomfield, CT, Optimum Re in Dallas, TX and General and Cologne Life Re in Stamford, CT. Melissa received a BA Degree from the College of William and Mary. Melissa also handles domestic Spanish speaking IBU requests as well as International requests originating from Central and South America.

Jodie Pascoe. Prior coming to IBU Jodie spent her entire career with Guarantee Reserve Life in Calumet City, IL. Jodie has 13 years experience as a Life Underwriter. During her time as a Life Underwriter she also interviewed applicants for insurance. Jodie has had additional training in medical terminology and previously held a Life/Health agents license.

Suzanne Pankow spent her entire six year underwriting career with Bankers Life and Casualty in Chicago, Illinois. Her underwriting experience includes Long Term Care, Specific Disease, Hospital Indemnity and Medicare Supplement insurance. Her dedication to service was acknowledged by Bankers when she received the "Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Service" for the third quarter of 2000. Suzanne has completed several LOMA courses and is pursuing a BA in International Affairs from DePaul University.

Sou Phrommany, FLMI, ACS, comes to IBU with six years of Underwriting experience. She spent her entire career at American Republic in Des Moines, IA. Sou underwrote both Life and Major Medical insurance. Sou was also promoted to Underwriting Auditor. She received a BS in Biology from Iowa State University. Sou also conducts interviews for Laotian speaking proposed insureds.

Sandy Ringer, FLMI, ACS, underwrote Life Insurance for five years at Lincoln Benefit Life in Lincoln, NE. While at Lincoln Benefit, she also underwrote Disability Income on the Surety Life Team. Sandy has a BA Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Diann Saldivar has underwritten individual health insurance in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for 11 years. She began her career at Conseco in Irving before spending the final five years at National Health Insurance Company in Grand Prairie. At National Health she achieved the level of underwriting team leader. In addition to Diann's underwriting experience, she also holds her State of Texas agents license for both life and health insurance.

Stephanie Shumosic, Prior to working for IBU, Stephanie was a home office life underwriter for 15 years. She began her career at Mutual Benefit Life in Newark, New Jersey and then moved to the Brokerage Division on Metropolitan Life in Princeton, New Jersey. Stephanie subsequently worked for Penn Mutual in Horsham, PA and spent the final 7 years of her career at Nationwide/Provident in Newark, Delaware. She has passed the NASD Series 6 exam and holds a BS degree from the New York University College of Business and Public Administration.

Becky Siebers, comes to IBU with 15 years of underwriting experience. She underwrote for American Medical Security in Howard, WI and Humana in Depere, WI. In addition to underwriting, Becky also has experience in health, life and disability claims as well as nursing. Becky has an LPN in Nursing and is a licensed agent for Life and Health insurance in the state of Wisconsin.

Amy Spoor started her career at Jackson National Life in 1988 and remained with them for 12 years. In 1989 she became an Underwriter trainee and worked upward to a Level I and II Underwriter. Of interest, her husband, James is a Senior Underwriter currently with Jackson National and has been with them for the past 18 years. .

Debbie Stewart's underwriting career spans 16 years. She worked for Life Investors, Ascent Management and National Health Insurance in the Fort Worth, Texas area. She has extensive experience in both Individual Life and Health Underwriting.

Mickey Tucker comes to IBU with underwriting experience in Life, Health, Medical Malpractice and Reinsurance. She was a Senior Life Underwriter with CNA and underwrote for the company's leading Life Sales Office until becoming a Fraud Investigator with Medicare in the white collar division where she received the "Excellence in Quality Award". After graduating from the University of Tennessee with degrees in Communications and Business Management she began her insurance career with Jefferson Pilot as a financial analyst. Mickey was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. IBU clients, co-workers and proposed insureds enjoy her friendly southern charm and humorous personality. .

Marion Walter spent 17 years with State Farm Insurance working as a Life, Health and Disability Underwriter and Life Underwriting and Service Supervisor. She holds a degree in Biology and well as the CLU, ChFC, FLMI, FALU, ALHC, HIA, ACS and CPCU insurance designations..

Julie Wagoner comes to IBU with over six years of Disability Income underwriting experience. She worked for Metropolitan Life’s Disability Income service center in Tampa, FL. Prior to underwriting, Julie trained agents on Disability Underwriting guidelines. Julie received a BA in English from Texas Tech University. She is one of IBU's Disability Income specialists.

Delma Zelnick joined IBU with more than 16 years of medical risk underwriting experience at The Guardian's Northeast Regional Office in Bethlehem, PA. Responsibilities at Guradian extended to group and individual life, health and disability coverages. Educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from College Misericordia, Dallas, PA and certification by Geisinger Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Danville, PA.