Archives: People

Responsibilities
As a leader of Conner Strong & Buckelew’s Construction Practice, James Hanrahan oversees business development, risk management consulting, and client retention for the firm’s largest and most complex construction accounts.

With nearly 40 years of industry experience, James brings extensive expertise in sales, underwriting, marketing, safety, claims management, alternative risk solutions, including captives, and wrap-up insurance programs to address his clients’ unique risks.

James also serves as a mentor to the firm’s next generation of Producers, helping to develop future leaders within the organization.

Professional Associations
James is actively involved in local and national construction trade organizations. He provides educational materials and relevant articles, focusing on how contractors can leverage their corporate insurance programs as a competitive advantage to bid more aggressively and secure more profitable projects. His memberships include General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania (CAEP), Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), Utility & Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA), and Builders League of South Jersey (BLSJ).

Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, James held leadership roles on both the brokerage and carrier side of the industry, including Liberty Mutual Group, where he was recognized as a member of the company’s Sales Hall of Fame for his contributions to the growth and retention of Liberty’s Business Market operations. He also served as the Resident Leader at Liberty Mutual’s largest field office which housed every discipline of the company.

Education
Rutgers University – Bachelors of Business Administration

Responsibilities
Mary Anne Sander has over 35 years of insurance experience with a diverse background insuring clients in various industries, including construction, municipalities and school districts. Her recent primary focus has been in real estate, manufacturing and global technology. She is responsible for the overall account management of her unit. She maintains client relationships and provides direction on the overall servicing of her accounts, including the analysis of risk and the resolution of any potential service issues. Mary Anne manages a unit of four individuals to assure that the highest level of service is provided to our clients.

Background
Mary Anne joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 1999 and has been a key factor in the growth and retention of her clients since then. Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, she worked for a multi-faceted agency specializing in Commercial Lines. She began her insurance career with Prudential as an Employee Benefits Coverage Form Specialist for large group lives, then spent a few years at Reliance as a Commercial Lines Underwriting Assistant.

Education
Orange County Community College

Professional Designations
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR)

Responsibilities
Matthew Smyth is responsible for the overall servicing and management of commercial accounts, which includes all Property and Casualty coverages. Smyth directly manages a supporting team of professionals and is responsible for the direction and oversight of the Claims and Safety services deployed on his accounts. Smyth’s clients represent a wide range of industries including construction, energy, hospitality, and real estate.

Smyth is the Co-Chair of the organization’s Construction Practice Group, which is made up of team members from every Property and Casualty department. The Group is responsible for staying current on trends, providing client deliverables and being an internal resource for the National Accounts practice.

Smyth enjoys teaching others as well. As an active Continuing Education instructor, Smyth leads multiple internal training sessions each year and is active participant in internal and external speaking engagements.

Background
Smyth began his career with Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2001 as an intern for Major Accounts. He was later hired and placed in an Account Management training program where he worked within numerous departments of the company on a working rotation. Upon completion of the program, Smyth accepted a full-time position in the Major Accounts practice as an Account Manager and has remained with the organization.

Education
Temple University – Bachelors of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance.

Professional Designations
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS)

Responsibilities
Matt Walsh is responsible for all aspects of the risk management and insurance programs for his clients, and works closely with each to develop risk management solutions in an ever-changing environment. Additionally, Walsh is responsible for brokerage placement, program design, contract review and loss forecasting. His client responsibilities include negotiation and implementation of the Property and Casualty insurance programs, oversight of the service team, and coordination of the claims, safety, and loss control services for each account. Walsh is also co-chair of the Real Estate and Hospitality Practice Group, which consists of several members of the National Accounts Group that focuses on the key insurance marketplace trends that are impacting these industries.

Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Walsh worked as a Manager in the Bucknell University Student Calling Program, the student fundraising arm of the University that solicits donations from alumni and friends of the University to support scholarships, capital developments and the overall endowment. His responsibilities included training and monitoring new callers in the programs, developing strategies to meet fundraising goals, and working closely with University Leadership on alumni communications and outreach programs.

Education
Bucknell University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Responsibilities
Bradford Barron provides legal support and compliance to all aspects of the company and its affiliates. Brad and his team assist Conner Strong & Buckelew’s Risk Management Services on complex claims to ensure that clients maximize their coverage pursuant to their insurance policies. Brad has successfully advocated for millions of dollars in additional insurance payments to clients. Prior to becoming General Counsel, he spent eight years in the company’s legal department taking on increasing legal responsibility.

Background
Before joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Brad was an attorney in the Insurance Practice Group at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, an AmLaw 100 law firm. He represented policyholders and insurers on a variety of coverage issues and across several different insurance products, including technology errors & omissions, general liability, property, and life. His clients included some of the world’s largest software and financial companies.

Brad also represented clients in arbitration, litigation and mediation. He practiced before both federal and state trial courts as well as federal and state courts of appeal. Further, at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Brad was one of the attorneys responsible for procuring the firm’s insurance program. Thus, he not only understands the insurance process from Conner Strong & Buckelew’s perspective but also from the perspective of a policyholder and consumer.

Education
Boston College – Bachelor of Science in Biology
Villanova University School of Law – Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, Admitted to practice in PA and NJ

Professional Designations
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)