NU Online News Service, March 15, 11:50 a.m.EDT

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers says ChristopherGagnon is joining the organization as Director of StrategicTechnology.

Gagnon will be responsible for consulting Council member firmson the strategic application of technology to promote businessgrowth.

He is replacing Frank Sentner, The Council's longtime technologydirector, who is taking the position of chief operating officerwith WAHVE (Work at Home Vintage Employees). Sentner will remainwith The Council working with Gagnon until May.

“We want our member firms to view technology as an opportunityto stand out and differentiate themselves,” says Ken A. Crerar,president and chief executive officer of The Council. “Technology'splace in insurance has tremendous potential and we're asking Christo assist our member firms in embracing it and thinking differentlyabout it.”

Gagnon has more than 15 years of experience developing anddirecting technology strategy for large insurance brokers. He firstentered the industry with Hobbs Group and spent five yearsdirecting all aspects of the company's information technology,ultimately serving as chief information officer.

Gagnon contributed to Hobbs' growth from $25 million to $100million in annual revenue through the creation of proprietarycustomer-focused solutions.

In 2004, Gagnon joined with other investors in the formation ofBeecher Carlson and served as CIO, focusing his energy oncustomer-based technology solutions.

He played a role in the development of OnPoint Underwriting, awholesale MGA subsidiary to include program design, carrierrelations and technology implementation including the developmentof a proprietary paperless underwriting system.

Gagnon left Beecher Carlson in 2008 and founded TiebeamPartners, a company focused on providing independent technologyconsulting for some of the fastest growing agencies in the UnitedStates.

Gagnon will head up The Council's new CIO Working Group, a forum for agencytechnology leaders to network that will hold its meeting April 25inWashington,D.C.