Responsibilities
Patrick Bucalo is responsible for coordinating daily account service needs, acting as the client’s outsourced risk management department. He conducts contract reviews, performs coverage analysis, implements program adjustments, coordinates client claims, and oversees safety and loss control services. Partick also negotiates and implements property and casualty insurance programs tailored to industry trends and market conditions for commercial clients in various industries such as construction, hospitality, real estate, and transportation.
Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Patrick was Vice President at a large regional insurance brokerage firm in Philadelphia where he started his insurance career. During his 20-year tenure with his previous employer, Patrick held various roles in Account Management, overseeing clients across a wide range of industries.
Education
Gwynedd-Mercy College – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Responsibilities
Donna Chiancone is directly responsible for the critical exchange of underwriting and bond processing data between the customer and Surety. Donna plays a key role in the maintenance and maximization of surety capacity for the firm’s clients, with a focus on both construction and commercial accounts. With well over a decade in the surety business, Donna is highly experienced in developing and maintaining relationships.
Background
Donna has nearly 30 years of experience within the insurance industry, with a varied background that includes claims, commercial and personal lines client management. With nearly 15 years of specialized experience in Surety Bonds, she has acquired an impressive knowledgebase as well as an exceptional level of professional respect from customers and Surety companies alike.
Professional Designations
Certificate, Surety Level II from the NASBP
Certified Insurance Service Representative
Holds Property and Casualty Licenses in all 50 states
Notary Public State of New Jersey
Responsibilities
John Manion is responsible for new business development and relationship management at Conner Strong & Buckelew. John assists in the management of the PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust, a self-insured, Multi-Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) consortium of over 150 independent schools and colleges. John’s detailed consultative reviews of health and welfare plans for prospective and existing clients determines where gaps and inadequacies exist and what effective strategies to use to solve them.
Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, John was Senior Benefit Consultant for Armstrong, Doyle & Carroll for 13 years and a Senior Account Manager at Independence Blue Cross for 7 years.
Education
Villanova University – Master’s in Education
La Salle University – Bachelor of Arts in Education and English
Community Involvement
John is the President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, a state-wide association that seeks to promote responsible, sustainable, and quality healthcare solutions for all Pennsylvanians through education and legislative advocacy. John is also the Board Secretary for the Charles Melton Community Center. The center provides low-cost or free educational and recreational resources to the at-need community in the West Chester area.
Responsibilities
Simon Leung oversees all facets of the firm’s pharmacy business and engagement with clients. He actively works with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), coalitions, and other partners. He drives the firm’s initiatives to deliver best-in-class pharmacy consulting, building new tools and programs to optimize our clients’ pharmacy benefit strategy and helping the consulting teams support clients in managing complex pharmacy policy and coverage issues.
Background
Simon brings over 20 years of industry experience as a Registered Pharmacist. His extensive background includes managing retail and specialty pharmacy operations and gaining health plan experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He has also worked with a National PBM, CVS Caremark, and gained pharmacy consulting experience at a national brokerage, HUB International. Additionally, he has experience with a disruptor PBM at Rightway. This diverse expertise allows Simon to provide exceptional leadership and innovative solutions in the pharmacy industry.
Education
University of Michigan – Bachelor of Science in General Biology
Ferris State University – Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Professional Designations
Registered Pharmacist (RPh)
Responsibilities
Brian Dietrich works closely with clients to develop innovative risk management solutions and insurance programs that offer optimal protection at the most competitive costs. He is responsible for program design and proper placement of policies with top insurance carriers in an ever-evolving marketplace. As Account Executive, Brian oversees the service team designated for each account, ensuring timely, informed, and professional support for every client.
Background
Brian has enjoyed a career in the insurance industry holding positions in management, sales, and service support. With a strong focus on proper insurance placement, he leverages his expertise to help organizations understand their exposures, protect their assets, and mitigate risk. His experience includes coordinating key agency services such as coverage and exposure analysis, contract review, loss forecasting, claims coordination, and safety and loss control initiatives.
Brian began his industry career with an internship at IBM, which led to positions with an insurance carrier, a risk management advisory firm, and successful insurance agencies.
Education
Susquehanna University, Sigmund Weis School of Business – Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing
Professional Designations
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Certified Insurance Consultant (CIC)
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS)
Ethics Certified (EC)
Responsibilities
Crystal Bailey is the Program Manager for five regional Health Insurance Funds (HIF) and one County Commission. She is the primary liaison between insurance carriers and clients to resolve issues, negotiate contracts and recommend plan design changes. Crystal is also responsible for assisting and advising brokers and clients on all aspects of their employee benefit plans within the HIF, including day-to-day account management, vendor management, annual enrollment process, and resolution of high-level claims issues.
Background
In 1989, Crystal joined Prudential HealthCare/Aetna as a Group Insurance Eligibility Technician before working as a Quality Review Technician, where she assisted in migrating Prudential HealthCare client and membership information onto the Aetna systems platforms through technical support for all products. In 2003, Crystal worked as a Benefits Consultant before being promoted to Senior Broker Liaison in the Preferred Producer Department for Aetna Inc, where she assisted with the creation of Aetna products communications, review and interpretation assistance of Aetna contracts, and planning of implementation and open enrollment activities for all lines of coverage.
In 2006, Crystal served as Associate Account Manager for Aetna Inc., where she assisted Key and Select account managers in maintaining their current fully and self-insured Middle Market book of business. Her responsibilities included investigation and resolution of issues reported by preferred producers and sales, which included but are not limited to enrollment, claims, membership services, pharmacy, and commissions for all Aetna lines of coverage. During her time at Aetna, Crystal gained an extensive background in producer and plan sponsor issues resolution and spearheaded several special projects, one of which included the transferring of eligibility to Aetna’s new Traditional system.
Education
Community College of Philadelphia – Bachelor of Science in Biology
Professional Designations
Licensed in Health and Life Insurance for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
Responsibilities
Maxwell Fetter is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships on an assigned book of business. He conducts thorough risk assessments to identify potential exposures and vulnerabilities. Max is also skilled in leveraging market relationships to negotiate competitive premiums and secure optimal coverage for clients. He works closely with internal teams to deliver seamless and coordinated service to clients.
Background
Max launched his insurance career with the Graham Company in 2014 as an Analyst after earning his MBA. During his seven years with the company, he steadily advanced to the role of Associate Account Manager. In 2021, Max transitioned to AJ Gallagher Risk Management Services as an Account Executive – Key Accounts, focusing on managing large, complex clients.
Education
University of Pittsburgh – Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
Temple University, Fox School of Business – Master of Business Administration in Corporate Finance & Marketing Management
Professional Designations
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
Responsibilities
Michael Helfrich is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships on an assigned book of business. He conducts thorough risk assessments to identify potential exposures and vulnerabilities. Michael is also skilled in leveraging market relationships to negotiate competitive premiums and secure optimal coverage for clients. He works closely with internal teams to deliver seamless and coordinated service to clients.
Background
Michael joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2016 after working two years as a broker at Apogee Insurance Group, a professional liability wholesale brokerage firm located in King of Prussia, PA. Prior to his time at Apogee Insurance Group, Michael was a Property Underwriting Assistant at XL Insurance America in New York, NY where he assisted the rating and policy issuance of large, multinational property insurance programs.
Education
Saint Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Responsibilities
Jonathon Tavares is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships on an assigned book of business. He conducts thorough risk assessments to identify potential exposures and vulnerabilities. Jonathon is also skilled in leveraging market relationships to negotiate competitive premiums and secure optimal coverage for clients. He works closely with internal teams to deliver seamless and coordinated service to clients.
Jonathon participates in the Public Entity Practice Group, which works to address current coverage issues and industry changes related to the lines of business. His team’s book of business is entirely public entities. He is a member of the Executive Risk Practice Group, which focuses on POL/EPL, D&O and cyber trends. Jonathon also participates in the Workers Compensation Practice Group. Additionally, Jonathon is on the P&C Engagement Committee, where he piloted a networking program to bring Conner Strong & Buckelew employees closer together.
Background
Jonathon joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in June 2019, after graduating from Drexel University with his undergraduate degree in Finance and Business Analytics. While at Drexel University, Jonathon completed internships with The Fairman Group, Johnson & Johnson, and Reinvestment Fund.
Education
Drexel University, LeBow College of Business – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance and Business Analytics
Responsibilities
Cassidy Weimer is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships on an assigned book of business. She conducts thorough risk assessments to identify potential exposures and vulnerabilities. Cassidy is also skilled in leveraging market relationships to negotiate competitive premiums and secure optimal coverage for clients. She works closely with internal teams to deliver seamless and coordinated service. Cassidy is an active participant in the Alternative Risk Practice Group and InsurTech Practice Group at the firm, which works to address current coverage issues and stay at the forefront of emerging trends.
Background
Cassidy began her career with Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2017 as a Major Accounts intern while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Risk Management and Insurance at Saint Joseph’s University. During her time at Saint Joseph’s University, Cassidy was actively involved in their Gamma Iota Sigma Insurance Chapter.
Education
Saint Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance
Professional Designations
Associate of Insurance Data Analytics
