Andrew Agress
- Assistant Vice President
Andrew graduated from the University of Redlands with his Bachelor of Arts degree. For over ten years, Andrew worked with Aerotek in Southern California and Nevada in business development. Now, Andrew brings his years of experience to Bolton & Company.
With his extensive training in leadership, large account sales, and transitions, Andrew is driven to develop long lasting client relationships. Andrew is looking forward to helping his clients learn to design the type of employee benefits programs to meet their ever-changing needs.
Currently, Andrew volunteers as the President of National Human Resources Los Angeles Affiliate and as the E-Communications Chair for Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA).
Michael Alaniz
- Assistant Vice President
After graduating from Azusa Pacific University, Michael sought to nurture his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen by pursuing a sales position with Automatic Data Processing (ADP). This journey led him through five years of business-to-business sales followed by two years of private consulting.
Michael decided to transfer this experience to the insurance industry by joining Bolton & Company in 2010 as a Property & Casualty broker. Michael's work ethic is built upon the core values of vision, strategy and implementation.
In line with Bolton's philosophy, Michael understands that the complex insurance environment requires a commitment to proper education and a careful analysis of each individual business and their exposures. His goal is to improve his client's bottom line on their financial statement, with a focus on long-term success.
Michael is currently working on obtaining his designation as Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Jo Bowers
- Vice President
Jo started her insurance career in 1978 in the claims department of Farmers.
She joined a Farmers Agency in 1983 where she began her sales career. She came to Bolton & Company in 1995. She is a specialist in Personal Lines insurance and assisting clients with automobile, homeowner and other personal insurance needs, primarily the hard-to-place high value homes.
Jo is an active member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Business Network International (BNI). She is currently pursuing her designation as a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Esther Ceballos, CISR, CIC
- Assistant Vice President
Esther was born and raised in Los Angeles and started her insurance career in 1993 after a successful career in real estate. She has worked at a large trade association, where she gained her experience and knowledge in their insurance services department for 16 years. Her background includes servicing Employee Benefits, Property & Casualty, 401k retirement plans and personal lines. For several years she worked as the agency operations manager and sales. She came to Bolton & Company in 2010 where she is a specialist in Bolton's OneSource Division, where her primary focus is providing business solutions to companies through products in property & casualty, employee benefits and personal lines.
Esther is a member of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. She has received her designations as a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Matt Chase
- Senior Vice President
Matt works with CEO's and CFO's to manage and mitigate their exposures to losses. Matt specializes in implementing Risk Management techniques into organizations to help them protect their company from the multiple inherent risks of owning and operating a business in California. As the result of his work, Matt's clients are in a better position to manage their overhead costs while also enhancing their coverage needs.
Matt graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Law and Society. While pursuing his academic career, Matt worked closely in the construction industry on the building and supply side.
Matt joined Bolton & Company in 2004 and earned a designation as a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS). Matt was promoted to Senior Vice President in January 2009, he became a shareholder in the firm in January 2010.
Matt is eager to assist new clients by implementing loss control strategies and other cost-efficient risk management solutions. Matt’s niche is in the construction industry where he currently consults for many of the state's best contractors. He is currently working with contractors, manufacturers and construction suppliers throughout the greater Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County areas.
Ernest L. Chavis
- Executive Vice President
Ernie received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Fullerton where he also performed his Post Graduate work. He received his Engineering designation in Highly Protected Risks from Factory Mutual Insurance Company. He began his career with Wausau Insurance Company as a Direct Sales Agent. While there, he was a National Sales Leader for five consecutive years.
Ernie has been an Executive Vice President of Bolton & Company for 26 years and is a major Stockholder. He knows how to identify and solve complex property, liability and workers' compensation issues. He is the expert to bridge the gap between client and insurance company. His specialty is Hi-tech and manufacturing, both domestic and foreign.
Ernie was chosen and served on the Agents Advisory Council for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for East Ventura County Employment Advisory Council.
Ernie has lived in the Conejo Valley for the last 30 years. He currently resides in Westlake Village with his wife Nancy. They are both active volunteers for The Wellness Community - cancer support, education and hope.
Mark Dang
- Assistant Vice President
Mark brings over 12 years of providing workforce management solutions to mid-sized companies. He has helped over 400 companies in developing benefit cost-containment strategies through innovations in technology. His background in strategic human resources has helped many companies retain their valued employees, increase employee communication and reduce labor cost while increasing labor productivity, and staying in compliance.
Prior to joining Bolton & Company, Mark worked for ADP to provide companies with Software as a Service (SAAS) in the areas of HR, Time & Attendance, and Payroll Administration. Mark has worked with large regional and national brokerage firms in Southern California through ADP. He acknowledged that most firms were not embracing technology and recognized that companies were getting smarter in how they wanted to run their business. His passion for helping companies achieve their business goals and strategic initiatives allows him to bring some innovation to the broker service model.
Mark's expertise enables him to work with clients of all sizes to find unique and creative solutions. He is actively involved in the Professional Human Resources Association (PIHRA) and a member of the Executive Board of District Five. Mark is also a Board Member with the NHRA(National Human Resources Association).
He has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and is currently working on his SPHR designation through the Society of Human Resources Management.
Jeannie DeLaura
- Assistant Vice President
Jeannie brings over 20 years of business experience with her recent experience at Robert Half International as a Business Development Executive, where she worked with C-Level clients to problem solve and to assist with staff augmentation for high level finance, audit and accounting needs. Prior to recruiting, Jeannie was in the Finance and Mortgage industries, including working for Countrywide, Bank of America and GMAC Mortgage.
Jeannie has a strong depth of knowledge in finance along with strong ability to treat each client individually to tend to their particular needs. Jeannie attributes her success to her commitment to integrity and interest in helping others achieve their goals.
Jeannie has recently joined the Technology group with Bolton and Company and focuses on the Life Science, Software and Technology industry. Her focus is to assist start-up and existing Technology clients with their exposures and guide them to make the best business decisions possible. In addition, she is a member of PIHRA, and works closely with HR professionals to solve and manage Workers' Compensation issues and helps to find solutions.
Ryan Fridborg
- Executive Vice President
Ryan consults with CFOs and HR Directors to reduce the cost of health insurance, enhance coverage and improve employee education. As a result, Ryan's clients are better able to attract and retain talent using employee benefits.
In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Ryan was honored as Bolton's top consultant. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2009 and became a shareholder in the firm in 2010.
Ryan joined Bolton in 2005 after five successful years in human resources with a Fortune 20 company and the largest County government in America.
Ryan holds a master's degree in Organizational Development and a bachelor's degree in Communication from Azusa Pacific University. He is recognized as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).
Ryan is a regular speaker at the HR Star Conference, Pacific West HR Conference, and other industry events focused on health insurance and employee benefits.
Ryan volunteers as District Chair for Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) in the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley region. In 2007, he was presented with PIHRA's "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" award.
John Guthrie
- Vice President
John graduated from St. Mary's College of California in Moraga with a B.S. in Business Administration, emphasizing in Financial Services. John completed the Honors Finance Program and was awarded a baseball scholarship while attending St. Mary's.
John is responsible for providing his clients with risk management and insurance programs that best fit their needs. John's specialization includes various industries such as manufacturing, distribution, event rentals, property owners, contractors and food. He also has extensive knowledge in Workers' Compensation insurance and claims management.
John is involved with the Loyola High School Alumni Association and dedicates time to the Men's Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Richard B. Hagemeier, CPCU, ARM
- Executive Vice President
Since graduating with an Electronics degree, Rick has worked with a variety of insurance agency and brokerage facilities. He obtained his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) accreditation in May of 1995, and his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) accreditation in January of 2005.
Rick's specialties include life science biomedical and biotechnology, electronics technology hardware and software firms, manufacturing, multinational insurance programs, directors and officers liability, and professional liability risks.
Rick's technical knowledge of General Liability, Professional Liability, Property, and Business Interruption Exposures provides invaluable aid to his clientele.
John D. Hunsigner
- Senior Vice President
After graduating from Macalester College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, John served as an army officer in Vietnam and was a bond manager for a national bonding company as well as a national insurance brokerage firm. John has over 26 years experience and currently manages Bolton & Company's Bond Department.
His areas of specialization are contractors and financial institutions for which he has designed and implemented innovative and financially economical responses to complex bonding and insurance problems. He also maintains power of attorney with 21 different bonding companies.
John is a member of several industry professional organizations including the National Association of Surety Bond Producers.
Michelle Jackson
- Assistant Vice President
Michelle joined Bolton & Company as Assistant Vice President and as a partner in the Education Practice Group. She works with private schools across the country on property and casualty as well as employee benefits insurance. Michelle also actively participates in the numerous school associations that have become cornerstones of Bolton's partnership relationships. Beyond her passion for working with schools, Michelle partners with for-profit businesses in a variety of trade and manufacturing industries.
Prior to joining Bolton, Michelle gained extensive experience via various roles in the insurance industry. She grew up in an entrepreneurial insurance-industry household, and during college worked in her family's Woodland Hills agency where she sold and serviced Personal Lines insurance for over six years. Michelle then transitioned to Commercial Lines insurance and joined a national retail agency.
Michelle graduated from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. She has completed her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation, will complete her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in July 2011, and is working on her Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM) designation.
Michelle also serves on the board of San Fernando Valley Association of Insurance Brokers & Agents, is an Ambassador Board member for the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and is an active member and educational speaker for the California Fashion Association.
Robert Kral
- Executive Vice President
Robert began his insurance career in 1983 as an Assistant Underwriter with U.S. Administrators, Inc. He has held numerous positions where he supervised the operation of the employee benefits department and has also worked for two national HMOs as a Senior Account Executive. Most recently, Robert worked for Great West Life and Annuity as a Senior Account Executive, where he was responsible for the sales and implementation of group medical and 401(k) plans, as well as maintaining and renewing a large block of business. Robert joined Bolton & Company in 2000 as Vice President.
For more than 20 years, Robert has provided the technical expertise needed to implement and administer various managed care products and has demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the state and federally mandated laws that apply to such products. He has specialized in all lines of employee benefits including Medical, Dental, Long and Short-Term Disability, Vision, Life and 401(k) programs.
Jeffrey F. Lang, CPCU, ARM, RPLU
- Senior Vice President: Property & Casualty Sales and Marketing
Jeff received his B.A. degree and his B.S. degree in 1994 from the University of Southern California. His undergraduate studies focused on Communication and Marketing, while achieving a minor in the field of Geology. In 1999, he completed his Masters of Business Administration from USC's Marshall School of Business with an emphasis on corporate financial strategy and policy, financial analysis and valuation, statistics, accounting, and the legal environment of finance.
Jeff's career began in 1993 as a Risk Management Associate. In 1995, he earned his first professional designation: Associate of Risk Management (ARM). He went on to achieve the designation of Charted Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) in 1998 and his professional designation, Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) in 2004.
Jeff joined Bolton & Company in 2011, as Senior Vice President of Property & Casualty Sales and Marketing. With regard to corporate insurance and risk management, Jeff's areas of industry expertise include commercial real estate, corporate finance and banking, management and executive liability, aviation and aerospace, marine, e-commerce, pollution, and professional organizations.
His recent industry achievements include the President of Insurance Brokers of America West's Los Angeles Association (IBA West), Chairman of IBA West's Young Agents Committee (YBAC), and board member of Insurance Skills Center. His most recent IBA West appointment is to the state association board of directors.
William Lewis, CPCU, CIC
- Executive Vice President
Bill is a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles and San Diego State University.
Bill has been in the insurance industry since 1981 and has been with Bolton & Company since 1989. He has earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter and Certified Insurance Counselor designations.
Bill is responsible for developing new clients for the company and providing Risk Management and insurance programs for his existing clients. His clients come from various industries, such as construction, high-tech, biotech and other fields. Bill helps these clients with all coverages, including difficult risks requiring Professional Liability coverage or those that fit in an alternative risk transfer mechanism such as captives, deductible plans and self-insured solutions.
Bill has contributed to the growth of Bolton & Company through his insurance expertise, specifically geared toward technology-based risks, such as software development and multimedia companies, biotechnology risks, Directors and Officers Liability, and Intellectual Property protection, including copyright and trademark exposures and patent infringement coverage. Bill has utilized this experience to assist in the development of local incubator and start-up companies.
In 2009, Bolton & Company formally created a Technology Practice to take advantage of the expertise of the firm in the high tech and life science arenas. The group will work with such clients to develop and refine risk management programs and place coverage ranging from products and clinical trials liability to directors and officers coverage. Spurring the creation of this Technology Practice was the appointment of Bolton as the Southern California broker representative of Tech Assure, a national partnership of similar firms specializing in this industry. Bill leads this practice and takes advantage of Bolton's memberships in groups such as the Southern California Biomedical Council and BIO.
Jay Lipsky
- Executive Vice President
Jay graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Business. He joined Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers in 1976 as an Account Executive.
Jay's expertise has centered on the development of specialized insurance programs for the needs of Property Owners and Managers, Industrial Risks Assessors, and Contractors. He has personally developed programs for the Southern California Building Industry Association and a number of other property-related groups.
Brian Metcalfe
- Executive Vice President
Brian Metcalfe has been serving the financial interests of the Southern California real estate community since the mid 1990's. Property owners and managers benefit from his experience as a real estate investment broker with Cushman & Wakefield, where he completed over 0 Million in transactions.
Brian devotes his current commercial insurance practice exclusively to property owners and managers, and is active in the Business Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). Brian is well versed in specific and related issues, such as environmental exposures, layered property and liability programs, and earthquake insurance.
Brian holds a BA from Clark University in Massachusetts with concentrations in Economics and Real Estate. He also has an MBA from the University of Connecticut as well as an additional graduate degree from the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Lyon in France.
Paul Palkovic, ARM, CPCU
- Vice President
Paul has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry as an underwriter and a producer. In 1982, he began his career as a Home Office Property Underwriting Assistant at Sayre and Toso Insurance. In 1984, Paul left Sayre and Toso to travel around the world. When he returned, he decided that his future was in sales. His career as a producer began in 1985 with Wausau Insurance. Over the past 16 years, Paul has provided Property and Casualty and Employee Benefits coverage for mid-sized manufacturers, contractors and service companies throughout Southern California.
Paul has modeled himself as a consultative broker who focuses on providing comprehensive, personal and professional service to his clients. He has continued his education in both the P&C and Benefits areas. He has earned designations as an ARM (Associate of Risk Management) and a CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter).
Leslie Pearce, PHR
- Vice President
Leslie brings over 18 years of employee benefits experience to clients. She has a vast background of experience both on the consulting side and the insurance carrier side. Leslie has worked with large regional and national consulting firms in Southern California and was responsible for managing some of those firm's most important relationships. While with PacifiCare of California, she worked to develop their Inland Empire territory and grew that area significantly during her tenure there. Her expertise enables her to work with clients of all sizes to find unique, creative solutions.
Her current role as a consultant and practice leader for Bolton & Company is to help drive and shape the employee benefits division so that it continues to be profitable and deliver the cutting edge resources that clients need and want. She is responsible for maintaining a book of business as well as mentoring new producers, managing carrier and vendor partnerships, creating and delivering retention strategies, sales and retention metrics and much more.
Leslie serves on the Board for the House of Ruth and is very involved with Children's Fund, Assistance League and the American Heart Association. She is actively involved in the Professional Human Resources Association (PIHRA), SHRM, California Association of Health Underwriters, and has served as a board member for the Inland Empire Health Underwriters Association. Leslie is married with 4 children.
She has a B.S. in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. She recently received her PHR, Professional in Human Resources designation from SHRM.
Jacqueline S. Roth
- Assistant Vice President
Jacqueline Roth brings several years of professional experience in a unique combination of full cycle recruiting, executive office management, and corporate professional development consulting. Jacqueline has effectively serviced both small and large sized businesses on the talent acquisition side. She has an ability to communicate clearly and anticipate the needs of her clients.
Prior to joining Bolton and Company she worked with Robert Half International in Pasadena CA., a Fortune 500 company, and held the role of Branch Manager while simultaneously servicing her client base and managing a team of 11. She has helped hundreds of companies throughout Southern California attract and maintain top talent.
As retention of top talent becomes even more of a challenge, Jacqueline saw a need in the marketplace to address the connection between retention and benefits. Her experience with total compensation has taken a turn towards employee benefits and she has a passion for the broker model.
Jacqueline sits on a district board for Professionals in Human Resources Association and is involved with the Society of Human Resources Management.She has a Bachelor of Arts from Azusa Pacific University in Communication.
Julie Roybal
- Assistant Vice President
Born in San Gabriel, CA, Julie is a graduate of the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organization Management. She decided to pursue her insurance licenses after being a medical insurance biller for doctors from 1989 to 2008. Prior to joining Bolton, she was with Nancy Bond Insurance Services in Monrovia, CA.
As one of the specialist in Bolton's OneSource Division, Julie offers an array of background in property management, homeowner associations, commercial real estate and health benefits analysis. She specializes in property and casualty as well as group health accounts assisting her clients with risk control options and providing an affordable benefit plan for their employee's. She is very dedicated and invests with her clients for their growth and strength.
Julie is the Monrovia Rotary President - Elect, Board Member at Large for the Santa Anita Family YMCA, and Ambassador to the City of Monrovia.
Jonathan Schreter, CIC, MBA
- Assistant Vice President
As an Assistant Vice President at Bolton & Company, Jonathan Schreter focuses primarily in commercial property & casualty risks, and specializes in professional lines of coverage, including Errors & Omissions, Directors & Officers and Professional Liability Insurance.
Jonathan began his insurance career in 2004 after more than 10 years of providing marketing and advertising consultation to large and mid-sized businesses. With his diverse background, Jonathan combines creative thinking with rigid analysis to offer a consultative approach to risk management and deliver the most effective insurance solutions for his clients.
Jonathan earned his MBA from the Anderson School of Business at UCLA in 2000 and his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research in 2010. He is Past-President of Independent Brokers & Agents Association of the San Fernando Valley and on the board of directors for Inner-City Arts, a non-profit art program for children in downtown Los Angeles.
Brett Schulz, CIC
- Assistant Vice President
Brett brings over 12 years of professional experience working with businesses to identify and implement solutions around workforce management, insurance and risk management.
Her diverse experience and field underwriting knowledge allows her to offer a consultative approach to providing her clients with competitive, comprehensive, insurance and risk management solutions. Her ability to listen and clearly understand the needs of each individual business has enabled Brett to solve problems that have both direct and indirect impact to her client's bottom line. Her passion and personal dedication have allowed her to build relationships by focusing on her clients' concerns.
Brett received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Northridge. She has earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor and is committed to lifelong learning. Brett enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Kenneth R. Turknette, ARM
- Executive Vice President
Ken graduated from the University of Redlands (CA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He joined Bolton & Company in 1990 and holds the insurance industry designation as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
Ken's clients cover a range of industries, but he has particular focus in the areas of manufacturing, property owners, contractors, and security guard companies. Along with providing insurance coverage for his clients, Ken uses his expertise to identify exposures and design comprehensive risk management programs to further enhance their overall insurance portfolios.
Ken is very active within the state chapter of the Insurance Brokers Association of the West as a So. California Regional Director. Additionally, Ken has served on various committees for the IBA West at the state level, including being chairperson of the IBA West Service Corp. from 2007-2009. Ken is also past president of the local chapter of IBA/Burbank, Glendale, & Pasadena.
Jeff Whitaker
- Executive Vice President
As a broker for almost 30 years, Jeff has seen the industry change and has seen expectations change for insurance brokerage firms. While managing (quoting) the annual insurance renewal is still a necessary component of the process, he also focuses on the use of Bolton & Company's internal risk services capabilities in order to study the other cost drivers that affect businesses, with the objective of having a significant impact on the indirect costs that can negatively impact a company's financial statement.
Jeff's niche is middle market sized business accounts, including manufacturers, contractors, medical device manufacturers, high tech companies and distributors. Jeff has proven knowledge in Workers' Compensation Risk Control, Safety Programs and Claims Management. This advanced knowledge has provided significant savings for many of his clients. Jeff has also specialized in working with clients to investigate, understand and implement Alternative Risk Transfer programs such as Large Deductible Plans, Retrospective Rated Plans and Captives.
Jeff's active involvement with his clients leads him to become an integral part of his client's management team assisting them in identifying and developing solutions that lead to the long-term success of his clients.
He has twice been nominated and served on the Safeco Insurance Company's Agency Advisory Council. He has written articles for numerous publications and is frequently asked to speak to groups. Jeff is a shareholder in the firm and has been involved in numerous roles at Bolton & Company over the years, including as a member on the company's Management Team, Sales Manager, member of the Bolton & Company Advisory Board and Standards Committee, a Performance Group Leader and a mentor to new producers.
Jeff also serves on the Foundation Board of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club. Jeff received his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
