Events

Deb Alt
Director of Insurance Operations Training, Foundation Risk Partners

Deb Alt is the Director of Insurance Operations Training for Foundation Risk Partners. With over 25 years of experience, Deb has managed the Applied Epic system along with numerous other programs that support internal workflows, including CSR24, Applied Mobile, Indio, IVANS/Download, and Applied Benefits Designer.

Deb brings extensive expertise in system conversions, designing and creating comprehensive training programs, facilitating training sessions, conducting compliance and workflow audits, and developing workflows for various departments. She has been an active volunteer with Applied Client Network as a past President of the Wisconsin User Group, a member of the Large Agent Alliance User Group and the ACN Education Committee, and has been a frequent presenter at Applied Net.

Amanda Crawford
Systems Strategist, Compass Insurance

Amanda Crawford is the Systems Strategist at Compass Insurance, where she specializes in agency structural organization, technology implementation, and fostering employee relations. With a background in both personal and commercial lines, Amanda brings nearly two decades of industry experience to her role.

As Co-Leader of the EZLynx User Alliance, Amanda is passionate about empowering agencies to feel confident using the EZLynx platform, enabling them to grow and streamline their operations. She is also dedicated to cultivating a positive and collaborative community of EZLynx users who share knowledge and promote growth and learning.

Danielle DuFour
Operations Manager

Danielle DuFour serves as an Operations Manager with over 14 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. Her work focuses on reporting, analytics, and operational process improvement across cross-functional teams. Danielle plays an active leadership role within the Large Agent Alliance (LAA), where she contributes to collaborative initiatives and industry discussions. Her approach emphasizes data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement, supporting organizations in enhancing efficiency and performance.

Garrett Gupton
Lead Technical Consultant, Applied Systems

Garrett Gupton is the Lead Technical Consultant on the Solution Services team at Applied Systems. With over five years at Applied, Garrett specializes in helping clients implement custom technology solutions that address unique business challenges. His work focuses on developing and delivering innovative integrations and data analytics solutions leveraging the Applied Data Lake, empowering clients to gain deeper insights and maximize the value of their data.

Jeff Knauss
CEO & Co-Founder, Arcovo AI

Jeff Knauss is a serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and angel investor with a proven track record of building, scaling, and exiting high-growth businesses.

As the CEO & Co-Founder of Arcovo AI, he is redefining business automation by building AI agents that act as digital employees, helping organizations streamline operations, increase efficiency, and drive growth. Previously, Jeff was the CEO & Co-Founder of Digital Hyve, a full-service digital marketing agency that grew into an 8-figure powerhouse, ranking 52nd on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

In 2021, Jeff orchestrated a highly successful financial exit, selling the company to an independent agency and ensuring all 56 employees became employee-owners in the acquiring company through an ESOP. He has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine, Adweek, Inc., Fortune, and more. He currently serves on multiple boards and launched the Knauss Family Foundation with his wife in 2021.

A sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, AI, and business strategy, Jeff captivates audiences with insights on scaling companies, leveraging AI, and navigating the future of work. He lives in Skaneateles, NY, with his wife, Heta, and their two children, Max and Lila.

Brian Langerman
Chief Executive Officer, Applied Client Network

Brian Langerman is a Business Management Executive with more than 20 years of Technology experience in Corporate America as well as Association and Technology Communities. His expertise includes new business development, operations management, strategic marketing, channel management, project coordination, change management, process implementation, and management of multi-million-dollar accounts and budgets. Langerman currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Applied Client Network, a global Technology Community for Applied Systems network of independent insurance agents and brokers worldwide that are focused on driving system utilization to increase agency and brokerage value for the next generation of insurance professionals.

Kathryn Lerch
Vice President of Agency Operations, Darr Schackow Insurance (The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers)

Kathryn Lerch is Vice President of Agency Operations at Darr Schackow Insurance, part of The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers. With over a decade of experience leading multi-office teams, Kathryn specializes in transforming agency operations through process optimization, automation, and global workforce integration.

She has successfully implemented large-scale operational shifts, including blending offshore virtual assistant teams and robotic process automation (RPA) into core service workflows—allowing licensed staff to focus on high-value client relationships while improving efficiency and profitability. Kathryn oversees operations across multiple Florida offices and has played a key role in several post-acquisition integrations, technology conversions, and staffing realignments.

She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of Florida, where she continues to refine her strategic and financial leadership skills. Known for her pragmatic and people-centered approach, Kathryn is passionate about helping agencies reimagine traditional service models to create scalable, sustainable growth in an evolving insurance landscape.

Julie Levine
Owner, Levine Insurance Group

Julie Levine started her insurance career the way many people have, through family. Julie works with her husband, Jason, in Orlando, Florida, as a second-generation owner. She found her niche by helping the agency transition to a paperless system when they went independent in 2007, and is now the agency’s Applied Epic guru.

She is currently the Communications Leader for the Owner/Principal Alliance, where she loves working with other Applied users. She teaches at the annual Applied Net conference. Julie is a mom to a precocious little girl, Alexandra, who loves to travel and is a foodie just like her parents!

Jon Lumbra
Managing Partner, The Dowd Agencies, LLC

Jon Lumbra serves as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner of The Dowd Agencies, a multi-division independent insurance and financial services firm headquartered in Massachusetts, with offices across New England. With over 20 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategic growth, Jon leads the agency’s M&A, technology, and expansion initiatives, including the integration of multiple acquisitions throughout Vermont and Massachusetts. As Vice Chair of the Applied Client Network Board of Directors, Jon helps guide ACN’s strategic initiatives focused on technology adoption, data intelligence, and member engagement. A frequent speaker and panelist, he is passionate about the intersection of insurance operations and emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and business intelligence tools that drive agency efficiency and growth.

Jorge Martinez, Sr.
IVANS Support Manager, Ivans

As IVANS Support Manager, Jorge Martinez focuses on carrier support. Drawing on 19 years of Ivans expertise, he manages and optimizes direct integrations with agency management systems to ensure reliable client operations.

Nancy Mendizabal
Co-Owner, Apple Valley Agency, Inc.

Nancy Mendizabal is the co-owner of Apple Valley Agency, Inc., a family-owned independent insurance agency that she operates with her brother, David Brush. After working alongside their father for 15 years, Nancy and David acquired the agency in 2004. Apple Valley Agency specializes in personal lines insurance and has embraced technology-driven growth, transitioning to the EZLynx management system in 2017 to enhance efficiency and client experience.

In her leadership role, Nancy oversees human resources, finance, and operational process improvement, focusing on creating a streamlined, people-centered business model. Under her guidance, the agency has successfully transitioned to a fully remote operation, supporting a flexible and collaborative work environment. Nancy resides in Florida with her husband, Roberto, and enjoys staying connected with clients and peers across the insurance industry.

Daniel Metcalf
Keynote
Co-founder & President, CyberFin

Daniel Metcalf is a seasoned speaker and cybersecurity expert, known for his engaging and informative presentations tailored to the insurance industry. Over the years, he has spoken at numerous industry events, helping independent insurance agencies and financial professionals navigate cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). His approachable style and ability to simplify technical concepts make him a sought-after voice in the field.

Natasha Nowicki
Director of Marketing, Bridge & Magellan

Natasha Nowicki is the Director of Marketing at Bridge & Magellan, where she leads the company’s marketing strategy and brand vision for its communications and analytics platform built for insurance agencies. She focuses on helping agency leaders use technology and data to drive growth, strengthen customer relationships, and create more connected, efficient businesses. Natasha’s career has been built at the intersection of insurance and marketing. She has held three distinct roles within the industry, first in sales, then in InsurTech marketing, and later as the marketing manager for a top 100 independent agency within the Assurex network. This combination of experiences gives her a rare, end-to-end understanding of how agencies operate and what it takes to modernize without losing the human connection that drives loyalty and trust. She combines that real-world industry knowledge with a modern, data-driven marketing perspective to position Bridge & Magellan as the go-to platform for agencies that want to operate with greater visibility and control. Her strategic focus is on connecting innovation to measurable outcomes, aligning marketing with the realities of agency growth, performance, and customer experience. Natasha’s leadership philosophy centers on clarity, turning complex technology into tools and stories that teams can act on. She believes artificial intelligence should make people better at what they already do best, giving agency teams insight and visibility to serve customers more effectively, coach staff with confidence, and make informed decisions that fuel long-term growth. A strategist and storyteller, Natasha brings a grounded and practical perspective on how data and AI are reshaping the insurance industry. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping agencies not just adopt new technology, but use it meaningfully to improve service, retention, and results.

Michelle Price
Director of Technology, Sunstar Insurance Group LLC

Michelle Price is a technology leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and enhancing operational efficiency. As the Director of Technology at Sunstar Insurance Group LLC, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s technology transformation journey. Michelle has a deep understanding of technologies including cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity, along with strong skills in project management, team leadership, and change management.

Her passion for innovation and her ability to think outside the box have helped her deliver successful technology solutions that have made a significant impact on the business.

Michael Rabinowitz
Product Manager, EZLynx

Michael Rabinowitz brings nearly 30 years of experience in serving and developing solutions for the independent insurance agent channel. He began his career as a commercial insurance agent before transitioning to insurtech in 2000, where he pioneered one of the earliest online commercial rating platforms. Over the years, Michael has designed insurance solutions for organizations such as Bolt Insurance, Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, Wells Fargo, American Express, LexisNexis, IIABA, and others. In his current role as Product Manager at EZLynx, he oversees commercial workflows within the EZLynx AMS and leads initiatives to transform the end-to-end commercial submission and application process.

Neil Rekhi
Personal Cyber Product Lead, HSB Insurance (Hartford Steam Boiler)

Neil Rekhi is the personal cyber insurance product lead in HSB’s Portfolio Risk Solutions (PRS) Division, a leading provider of commercial and personal cyber insurance products. He is focused on building and managing valuable insurance coverages and services for individuals and families.

Neil has a passion for cyber security, and he previously founded an education initiative called Find Me Cyber, where he promoted best practices on cyber security hygiene and tools/services for individuals and small business owners. Prior to joining HSB, Neil worked at The Hartford, Verisk Analytics, and Premium Intel in roles spanning business technology consulting, competitive intelligence, customer strategy & engagement, and product innovation.

Neil holds a CPCU, a bachelor of arts degree in molecular biology from Colgate University, and an MBA from the University of Rochester – Simon School.

Ann Satovich
P&C Technology Manager, OVD Insurance

Ann Satovich has spent over two decades working in a variety of roles across the insurance industry, focusing on commercial lines service management prior to specializing in technology and operations. Ann currently serves as P&C Technology Manager at OVD Insurance, collaborating with colleagues to continuously improve insurance processes.

Ann’s career has included positions such as Insurance Operations Manager at Aon/CoverWallet, AVP of Insurance Technology and Commercial Lines Supervisor at First National Insurance Agency, and several team management roles at Huntington Insurance. Ann is currently attending Carnegie Mellon University in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, pursuing a graduate certificate in Managing AI Systems to further deepen her understanding of responsible AI implementation.

Ann’s prior educational background includes a master’s degree in insurance management from Columbia University, a master’s and bachelor’s degree in business administration from PennWest University, and industry designations such as CRM, CIC, and CISR. Throughout Ann’s career, the focus has been on learning from others, adapting to new technologies, and finding both practical and outside-the-box ways to improve insurance operations and the user experience.

Ann is passionate about exploring how technology can support all aspects of the insurance industry and believes that the best solutions start with collaboration and a thorough understanding of the problem to be solved. She is grateful for the opportunity to share experiences and learn from fellow panelists and attendees as the industry continues to evolve.

Barry Schiefelbein
Director of Technology, FNIC Group

As a seasoned technology leader, Barry Schiefelbein is passionate about driving innovation and creating impactful digital solutions that empower businesses to thrive in a competitive landscape. With over 20 years of experience leading technology teams and spearheading transformative projects, he specializes in aligning technical strategies with organizational goals to deliver exceptional results.

Barry’s expertise spans across diverse domains, including data management, agile software development, CRM, and cloud infrastructure. He prides himself on fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within his teams. Recognized for his ability to manage complex initiatives and build scalable systems, Barry is committed to harnessing technology to shape a better future.

Across his 25-year career in financial services—22 of them specializing in insurance agency technology—Barry has led teams of all sizes, from small informal groups to large hierarchical organizations. He currently serves as Director of Technology at FNIC Group, leading a small but mighty team overseeing all aspects of IT.

Catherine “Cap” Shertenlieb
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Applied Systems

Catherine “Cap” Shertenlieb is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Applied Systems. Since joining Applied in 2015, Cap has brought deep insurance industry expertise and a passion for helping customers get the most from Applied technology. She began as a Product Instructor and Workflow Consultant, training and consulting with clients all across the US and contributing to major initiatives such as launching Epic in the UK and redesigning the standard Epic workflows to improve usability and efficiency. In 2019, she joined the Solution Consulting team, where she served as Lead Solution Consultant for the U.S. Field Team. In that role, she guided clients through strategic technology decisions, mentored emerging talent, and partnered with leadership to ensure that Applied solutions delivered measurable value and alignment with customer goals. With more than 30 years in the insurance industry, Cap has extensive experience in commercial lines operations, program marketing and placement, and agency management system implementation. Her unique blend of operational expertise, insurtech knowledge, and collaborative leadership continues to shape how Applied connects innovation to real-world industry-specific challenges.

Sarah Walden
Senior Application Technician, Houchens Insurance Group

Sarah Walden is the Senior Application Technician for Houchens Insurance Group, managing all insurance-related software for the agency across 12 offices in 5 states. Sarah has nearly 7 years of experience managing insurance technology and over 12 years of experience in Information Technology in total. In her role, she manages the administration of Applied Epic and related applications, reporting, and handling data during mergers and acquisitions.

Michael Winsbro
Customer Success, Ivans

Michael Winsbro is based in Tampa and hasbeen with Ivans for 25 years. He's worked in many departments in the company, most recently in Sales for 10+ years before transitioning to Customer Success.

Melissa Zornes
Senior Vice President, Practice Leader of Employee Benefits, OneGroup

Melissa Zornes, SVP and Practice Leader of Employee Benefits at OneGroup, brings over 14 years of experience in group benefits and HR management. She has held key roles in insurance agencies, including Account Manager, Benefits Practice Manager, and Director of Client Services. Her expertise spans client relations, consultative support, benefits program design, project management, and strategic development. She plays a vital role in agency growth, operations, and technology initiatives, driving innovation and company performance.