Responsibilities
Matt McKenna specializes in designing comprehensive risk management programs for commercial clients of all types and across all industries.
Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Matt spent over 7 years working in the National Football League where he held various sales and business development roles. As an Account Executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, Matt worked within the Corporate Partnerships Department where he focused on building mutually beneficial sponsorship agreements for the organization.
Education
Indiana University Bloomington – Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs, Major in Management
Responsibilities
Sam Montgomery specializes in designing comprehensive risk management programs for commercial clients of all types and across all industries in the National Accounts Department for Conner Strong & Buckelew.
Background
Prior to his employment at Conner Strong & Buckelew, Sam worked as an Account Analyst for the Graham company for three years. His responsibilities included the daily servicing and preservation of commercial lines customers including rating and marketing. Sam obtained quotations and was instrumental in preparation of submissions, proposals, and binders. He also reviewed and processed policies, audits and policy changes. The book that Sam serviced consisted of Construction and Healthcare clients. Prior to Graham, he worked at BizEquity and Clark Construction.
Education
The Catholic University of America – Bachelor of Science in Finance
Responsibilities
Juanita Gadsden provides claims support in a wide range of industries, including construction and real estate. In her role, she assists with all aspects of the claims process, including receiving, analyzing, and submitting claims to insurance carriers on behalf of our valued clients. Additionally, she conducts coverage analysis consultations, offers guidance on claims matters, aids in insurer negotiations, monitors ongoing claims, and supports clients with internal claims management programs. Juanita actively advocates for clients, promoting collaboration and resource optimization while ensuring insurers adhere to fair and prompt claim-handling practices, always prioritizing clients’ best interests in claim resolutions.
Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Juanita was a Claim Director at Chubb Insurance Company, one of the world’s largest multi-line property and casualty insurance companies. Juanita was the point person on several specialized, high-profile accounts where she handled complex property and casualty claims, with a specialty in coverage analysis, general liability, commercial auto, product liability, product recall and excess liability claims. Before Chubb, her extensive insurance career also included working in the excess casualty groups at AIG and XL Catlin Insurance Company. Her industry peers and business partners highly respect Juanita’s knowledge and collaborative approach in attaining optimal results.
Education
Adelphi University – Bachelor of Business Administration
Professional Designation
Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS)
Responsibilities
Laura Kerns assists clients with all aspects of the claim process. She is responsible for receiving, analyzing, and submitting claims to the insurance carrier on behalf of our valued clients. Additional duties include consulting with clients on coverage analysis, providing guidance and direction, assisting in negotiations with the insurance carrier and monitoring open claims. She works closely as an advocate for our clients to ensure insurance carriers deliver prompt, fair claim handling with claim resolutions in our clients’ best interest and to assist clients with internal claim management efforts. Laura is also a member of the Cyber Task Force, where she advises clients on claim and coverage issues as well as cyber insurance applications.
Background
Laura graduated from Villanova University where she received the David E. Worby Scholarship for excellence in advocacy. Upon graduating from law school, Laura spent three years as an Assistant District Attorney, serving in the Federal Litigation Department of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Between 2003 and 2019, Laura developed her civil litigation skills as an attorney with Pennsylvania and New Jersey based law firms handling first-party homeowner’s and commercial property damage claims, bad faith litigation, and property coverage opinions. Laura also represented various insurance carriers from 2013 to 2014 during the New Jersey Federal Hurricane Sandy Flood Litigation. During her time as a civil litigator, Laura handled third-party matters, including lawsuits against homeowners, automotive and personal injury claims, and workers’ compensation matters.
Education
Villanova University – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minors in Sociology and Philosophy
Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law – Juris Doctorate, Admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Professional Designations
Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner (CPLP)
Cyber COPE Insurance Certification (CCIC)
Licensed Property and Casualty Producer
Surplus Lines License
Responsibilities
Michael Molinari assists clients with all aspects of the claim process and is responsible for receiving, analyzing and submitting claims to insurance carriers on behalf of the organization’s clients. Additionally, he consults with clients on coverage analysis, provides guidance and direction, assists in negotiations with insurers and monitors open claims. He works closely with clients to ensure that the insurance carriers provide prompt and fair claim handling and advocates on behalf of clients to ensure claims are resolved in their best interest.
Background
Michael has been an insurance claim professional for more than 30 years, including 20 years at a management level. Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, he spent 12 years at GEICO where he served as a Claim Supervisor managing Automobile property & casualty claims. Before GEICO, he spent 10 years at AIG where he served in various roles including Claim Supervisor, Claim Team Leader managing complex, high-exposure multi-line property & casualty claims from the majority of jurisdictions throughout the country.
Responsibilities
Kyle Mullen specializes in designing comprehensive risk management programs for commercial clients of all types and across all industries.
Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Kyle gained over 10 years of sales experience in the life sciences and technology software industries. He began his career in Bayer’s Future Leaders Sales Program, where he developed a strong foundation and passion for sales. From there, Kyle transitioned into the technology sector, focusing on selling software applications that support the entire lifecycle of life sciences manufacturing. Over the past eight years, he worked as an Account Executive at Honeywell and Veeva Systems, helping clients optimize their operations and drive efficiency.
Kyle also played baseball at Saint Joseph’s University and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Education
Saint Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Community Involvement
Coopertown Civic Association
Responsibilities
Erik brings a dynamic and relationship-driven background to his role as a Business Development Executive at Connor Strong & Buckelew, where he focuses on driving new business opportunities in commercial property and casualty insurance.
Background
Prior to entering the insurance industry, Erik spent several years as a licensed real estate agent in Los Angeles, representing high-profile clients at top-tier firms, including Douglas Elliman. In addition, he served as a golf instructor at Urban Golf Performance and several private clubs,
where he worked with executives, athletes, and business leaders—cultivating a strong, diverse professional network across industries. With a background in both business and competitive athletics, Erik brings discipline and strategy to consult clients on their risk management programs.
Education
Albright College – Bachelor of Arts
Professional Designations
Property and Casualty License
Responsibilties
Gabrielle Tobia is responsible for driving new business development and managing strategic relationships within the mid-market space.
Background
Gabrielle began her career at Conner Strong & Buckelew as an Employee Benefits intern in 2018. She then joined ADP, where she worked in Small Business Services and later advanced to the Major Accounts division. During her time there, she partnered with Centers of Influence to generate new business opportunities, led competitive takeaways, and collaborated with HR executives to deliver workforce solutions.
Education
Drexel University – Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Responsibilities
Brian Weiscarger is responsible for developing new business opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships for Conner Strong & Buckelew. He focuses on helping businesses design risk management programs that enhance employee well-being and organizational success. Brian advises fully insured and self-funded employers, providing tailored solutions and insights that reduce costs while maximizing the value of their health, life, disability, and voluntary benefit programs.
Background
Brian has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to Conner Strong & Buckelew, Brian was Vice President of Employee Benefits for Risk Strategies Company and a Client Executive at Marsh McLennan Agency, focusing on Employee Benefits solutions and plan design. Earlier in his career, Brian was Sales Director for a medical services firm, overseeing business development and account management for national accounts. He began his career as a consultant for large national insurance carriers and third-party administrators, providing risk management solutions for clients such as Amazon and Verizon.
Education
West Chester University – Bachelor of Science in Business
Professional Designations
Licensed Insurance Producer: Accident & Health, Life, Variable Life & Variable Annuity
