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

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers says Christopher Gagnon is joining the organization as Director of Strategic Technology.

Gagnon will be responsible for consulting Council member firms on the strategic application of technology to promote business growth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gagnon left Beecher Carlson in 2008 and founded Tiebeam Partners, a company focused on providing independent technology consulting for some of the fastest growing agencies in the United States.

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

Special Reports /

The Council Names Gagnon Director of Strategic Technology

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