In his new role he will be responsible for building growth-driven marketing relationships and sophisticated marketing platforms, both internally with sales and service staff and externally with insurance carrier partners.

Jason brings 18 years of insurance industry experience to the role, including underwriting management roles for Chubb Insurance in Chicago, Indianapolis and Kansas City, and most recently as a region distribution manager for ACE, one of the world’s largest international multi-line property and casualty insurers.

“It’s an exciting opportunity, because Cretcher Heartland’s client-focused marketing approach sets the stage to develop innovative programs and dynamic new relationships,” Patchen said.  Cretcher Heartland’s client-focused marketing approach sets the stage to develop innovative programs and dynamic new relationships.” “Our industry is undergoing rapid change right now, and along with that comes new opportunities to deliver optimal, cost-efficient and sound risk management.”

Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO, added, “We are thrilled to have Jason on our team. He has an outstanding record of achievement along with energy, drive and a passion for creating client value and delivering results.”

This under-10-minute video with Erle Benton, Cretcher Heartland Bond Manager, and Ryan Rink from Live with Rink and Laura, will help you get up to speed quickly. Erle Benton holds the CPCU (Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriters) and AFSB (Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding) designations and has long been active with many surety and construction related associations both locally and nationally. He has held multiple leadership positions with the Surety Association of Kansas City and is a member of the NASBP Professional Development and Education Committee. And, he’s pretty entertaining, too!

Have more questions or need advice on surety bonding? Contact Erle Benton here.

Jacque Lucas, Accident Fund Senior Business Development Consultant and Adam Gildemeister, Cretcher Heartland Account Executive

Cretcher Heartland has been named 2012 Top Agency of the Territory (including Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska) by Accident Fund Insurance Company of America. The award is based on a combination of ratings including new business growth, premium retention, and loss ratio.

Accident Fund also presented Cretcher Heartland with the “Most Growth” award for 2012. This recognition is awarded for leadership in total written premium growth for the year.

Cretcher Heartland has represented Accident Fund since 2004. The company is headquartered in Lansing, MI and is a leading provider of workers compensation insurance. (This isn’t the agency’s first award from Accident Fund – we were honored with Accident Fund’s President’s Club award in 2008.)

L to R; Adam Gildemeister, Cretcher Heartland; Jacque Lucas, Accident Fund; Jim Wilkinson, Cretcher Heartland SVP Marketing; Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO

“In many ways, we believe we share these awards with our clients,” said Adam Gildemeister, Cretcher Heartland Account Executive. “Our total focus here is on delivering exceptional service to our clients, and Accident Fund’s outstanding workers’ compensation products and expertise in loss prevention have helped us serve our clients better.”

Thanks, Accident Fund and congratulations to Cretcher Heartland associates, and clients!

Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO commented, “We’re proud that the average employee tenure at Cretcher Heartland far exceeds comparable U.S. companies in the private sector. It’s great to be able to recognize their continued commitment and loyalty to our clients and their fellow co-workers.”

Thank you and congratulations to these Cretcher Heartland associates!

5 years of Service

Left: Mary Pribyl, Right: Mike Ryan
(Not pictured: Kevin Alexander, Chris Ford)

10 years of Service

L to R: Kelly Miller, Steve Sopinski, Cyndi Ulett

Dennis Mosier

15 years of Service

L to R: Kelly Watson, Paul Black, Rex Sweetwood, Kevin Williams

20 years of Service

Evelyn McGaughey

Cretcher Heartland Bond Manager Erle Benton presents the Surety Partner of the Year award to Bryan McAllister, Branch Manager (Left) and Todd Buechter, Regional Director (Center).

Cretcher Heartland is pleased to announce that Berkley Surety has been awarded our Surety Partner of the Year Award for 2012. Berkley representatives visited Cretcher Heartland’s  Overland Park, Kansas offices on February 7th for a presentation of the award as well as productive discussions on ways to further build the partnership and maximize value to CH clients.

The Morristown, New Jersey-based company, part of the W.R. Berkley Corporation, has received the distinction for 2012 based on their high service levels, excellent responsiveness and strong commitment to building valuable, long-term relationships.

Erle Benton, Cretcher Heartland Bond Manager, said, “The relationships we have with all of our surety partners are very important to us. In 2012, Berkley Surety staff provided an exceptional level of service to our agency, even receiving responses when the Berkley underwriters were on vacation.  Bryan McAllister and Todd Buechter really were responsive and also a real pleasure to work with.”

Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO added, “As we evaluate all of our quality surety partners on an annual basis, it is great to take a moment in time to acknowledge great partners like Berkley Surety for their attention to clients and their service to Cretcher Heartland’s team members. This award is both fun and rewarding for all parties involved.”

Cretcher Heartland’s Surety Partner of the Year award was established in 2007 and past winners include Old Republic Surety, Zurich N.A., CNA Surety/Western Surety, United Fire & Casualty Company, and Merchants Bonding Company.

Congratulations to Berkley Surety, and to everyone on their talented and highly-skilled service team!

L to R: Vin Forte, Berkley Senior Vice President; Andy Tuma, Berkley President; Bryan McAllister, Berkley Branch Manager; Todd Buechter, Berkley Regional Director; Erle Benton, CH Bond Manager; Steve Nicholson, CH CEO; Kari Boeckman, CH Account Executive; Jerod Topliff, CH Account Executive; John Beers, Berkley Vice President Field Operations.

If you missed it, listen to or download selected audio clips below or visit www.livewithrinkandlaura.com for an mp3 of the full show.

Audio Clip: Risk Management Approach
Steve Nicholson and Chandler Cullor discuss with Rink and Laura what’s different about how Cretcher Heartland does business, putting “process before product” and a holistic approach to risk management that ultimately lowers risk and saves clients money.

Audio Clip: A 2012 Top Ten Small Business
Nicholson and Cullor talk about the many benefits of being named one of Kansas City’s Top Ten Small Businesses in 2012 and the award’s positive cultural impact on the entire CH organization.

Audio Clip: Growth and Perpetuation
Nicholson and Cullor share where they see opportunity for growth; how perpetuation issues are changing the local and national insurance business; and insight on the mergers, acquisitions and partnerships that have built Cretcher Heartland into the company that it is today.

Lee Stuart, outgoing president, passes the “gavel” to Chris Ford. Photo: Photo: OP South Rotary Club on Facebook

Kendall Gammon “flips the switch” on the Mayor’s Christmas Tree

Kendall Gammon, right, lighting the tree with Kansas City’s Mayor. Photo: Fred Blocher via kansascity.com

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree is a much-anticipated holiday tradition, so we’re enthused that Cretcher Heartland’s Kendall Gammon, a prominent KC Chiefs alumnus, had the honor of helping to “flip the switch” for the tree in 2012 at Crown Center Square.

And according to Kendall, “It’s especially gratifying because the Mayor’s Christmas Tree fund has long helped make the season brighter for Kansas City’s less fortunate. Support for the Fund is a wonderful way for all of us to give something back to our community during the holiday season.”

Read more here at kansascity.com.
Learn more about the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund here.

Erle Benton quoted in November 2012 issue of Construction Executive magazine

Cretcher Heartland’s Erle Benton was quoted in the November 2012 issue of Construction Executive magazine.

Erle Benton is a recognized expert in the surety bonding field and his specialized knowledge has given Cretcher Heartland’s clients an “edge” time and time again. Erle is also well known among leading industry trade publications; recently, he was interviewed and quoted in the November 2012 issue of Construction Executive which featured their 10th Annual Contractors Guide to Surety Bonding. You can read Erle’s comments in the article Building and Maintaining Contractors’ Surety Credit (or on page S-34 of the print issue). Need expert advice for your Surety Bonding strategy? Contact us here!

The location of the new office is 301 N. St. Francis, Wichita, Kansas 67202.

The expansion in Wichita was driven by Cretcher Heartland’s increasing customer base in Central and Southeastern Kansas, as well as emerging opportunities in Wichita. The new office is the first phase of a multi-stage plan to expand our staffing, sales and support in Wichita.

“Expansion in Wichita was a natural next-step for us,” said Steve Nicholson, Cretcher Heartland CEO. “We’re not newcomers here – we’ve been working with businesses in the Wichita market for some time, so we’re enthusiastic about taking a more active role in Wichita’s downtown renaissance and in this vibrant, growing business community.”

Nicholson continued, “We view Wichita as a vigorous, growing market, and we hope to further expand over the next several years.”

If you’re in or near Wichita anytime soon, be sure to stop by and visit us!

View Larger Map

See page 18 of the October, 2012 issue of Ingram’s for Joanna Wright’s article.

Joanna Wright, head of Human Resources at Cretcher Heartland, is the featured Small Business Adviser columnist in the October, 2012 issue of Ingram’s magazine.

Her column, titled Technology Fosters New Workplace Arrangements, covers an array of flexible, non-traditional work arrangements that are on the rise, accelerated by rapidly advancing technology.

Read Joanna’s article on page 18 of the October, 2012 issue or read it on the web at  IngramsOnline.com.

(If you need help assessing your options in today’s changing workplace, take advantage of our HR consulting services - contact Joanna Wright via our Contact form for more information.)

This week’s Hidden Gem

Downloads: Listen on your device

Download July 10 show segment Guest: ARC (Athletic and Rehabilitation Center)
Download July 10 show segment “Hidden Gem”
Download full July 10 broadcast KC Business Secrets: Live with Rink and Marko