Category: Business Development

Anthony Cirillo

Responsibilities
Anthony Cirillo specializes in designing comprehensive risk management programs for commercial clients of all types and across all industries.

Background
Anthony Cirillo joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2013, specializing in designing and implementing tailored risk management programs for Social Service organizations. A recognized leader in the New York social service sector, Anthony has been a driving force behind the firm’s growth in this space, drawing on a close family connection to the field and decades of personal involvement with local non-profits.

With a deep understanding of the unique risks faced by social service organizations, Anthony combines industry expertise with strategic insight to deliver innovative solutions that safeguard operations, mitigate exposure, and advance organizational missions. His dedication to the non-profit community informs both his professional work and personal commitments, positioning him as a trusted advisor and advocate for the sector.

Education
Saint Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Science in Finance, Minor in Risk Management & Insurance

Awards & Recognition
2026 Risk & Insurance Power Broker Finalist

Jason Edelman

Responsibilities
Jason Edelman is responsible for the development of new strategic services and leading new business development. Jason also plays an active role in consulting with brokers and administration in NJ’s Public Sector on the latest legislation and provides solutions to best meet their needs. He is engaged in financial evaluation, health and wellness, compliance, communications, and other key client-facing areas.

Background
Prior to re-joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Jason entered the insurance industry in 2004 as a producer with Kistler Tiffany Benefits. After realizing his deep passion for sports Jason decided to leave the industry and work for Steve Mountain, a professional Sports Agent in the Philadelphia Area. From there he managed Summit Sports Training Center where he trained an array of athletes both youth and professional. From there, Jason reentered the insurance industry with Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2011 as a HIF Associate Consultant. In 2015, Jason left Conner Strong & Buckelew to pursue a career as a Producer with The Graham Company. Soon after in 2016, he joined Alliant Insurance Services as an Assistant Vice President with a focus on Production and Business Development. In this role he managed consulting relationships for health and welfare clients and lead client teams.

Education
Neumann University- Master of Science – Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development
West Chester University- Bachelor of Science – Professional Studies with a double minor in Secondary Education and History

Community Involvement
Jason plays an active role in his community. He coaches youth football, basketball, and flag football. He also trains athletes of all ages to help enhance their speed and athletic performance.

Daniel Keenan

Responsibilities
Dan Keenan is responsible for new business development and relationship management at Conner Strong & Buckelew. Dan is able to utilize his years of experience and the knowledge derived from his diverse client base to perform detailed consultative reviews of health and welfare plans for prospective clients. The analysis will include all relevant coverages with an eye toward each client’s objectives. Common areas of focus include plan design and contribution strategies, industry benchmarking, and review of traditional as well as innovative solutions. Dan has expertise in both fully insured and self-funded programs. He works with clients to provide detailed recommendations for sustainable employee benefit programs that are valued by both employer and an employee.

Background
Dan has over 25 years of experience in the Employee Benefits industry. He has experience working for a large insurance carrier as well as an independent broker and consultant advocating for his clients. Dan previously was an Employee Benefits Broker and Consultant at Acorn Benefits, LLC and he also worked in direct sales at Oxford Health Plans (UHC).

Education
University of Scranton – Bachelor of Arts

Community Involvement
Dan is active in his community as a youth coach for football and basketball. He has also been an active volunteer with his local public school system. Dan, his wife Jessica, and their 4 children are members of Christ the King Parish in Haddonfield, NJ.

John Manion

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.

Kevin Mullen

Responsibilities
Kevin Mullen is responsible for new business development and relationship management at Conner Strong & Buckelew. Kevin focuses on producer mentoring and Merger & Acquisition activities.

Background
Kevin has more than 40 years of experience in sales, strategic planning, and client service management. He has gained experience at both national and regional companies in the brokerage/consulting, TPA, and stop loss/reinsurance segments of the industry. Prior to rejoining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Kevin had been the founder and owner of Ironview Employee Benefits, LLC, which was acquired by OneDigital.

Education
St. Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Professional Designations
Life & Health Insurance License – Pennsylvania

Andrew Still

Responsibilities
Andrew Still brings a technical, solutions-oriented approach to designing and implementing customized risk management programs tailored to the unique needs of commercial clients. He provides comprehensive risk analysis, ongoing strategic guidance, and dedicated support across the Construction, Financial Institutions, and Professional Services sectors.

Background
Andrew joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2024, bringing more than 12 years of experience in risk consulting and forensic accounting. He previously specialized in complex financial disputes and investigations, including third-party risk, fraud risk management, insurance claims preparation, and post-acquisition disputes. Andrew’s deep expertise in M&A advisory and litigation consulting allows him to identify critical coverage gaps and structure insurance programs that safeguard clients’ long-term interests.

Education
La Salle University – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Finance, Minor in Risk Management & Insurance

Professional Designations
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS)

Community Involvement
Andrew is deeply committed to community engagement and industry service. He serves as the Philadelphia Community Ambassador for the Movember Foundation, where he helps raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Andrew previously served as a board member and Chair of the Young Professionals Council of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, as well as Treasurer and Executive Committee Member for the Legal Clinic for the Disabled. He is also active in several professional and industry organizations, including the Construction Financial Management Association, the New York Building Congress, the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey, the General Building Contractors Association, the Subcontractors Trade Association of New York, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Bradley Watts

Responsibilities
Bradley Watts focuses on driving business development for the firm’s international Life Science & Technology practice, collaborating with organizations across all stages of maturity—from pre-clinical growth to some of the largest commercial-stage operations. He also specializes in managing large, complex organizations with challenging risk exposures. Brad is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive, cost-effective insurance programs and tailored risk management strategies for clients.

Background
Brad joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2024, bringing eight years of prior experience in risk management as a Producer. Specializing in accounts with sophisticated exposures and complex insurance needs, he previously worked at The Graham Company until its acquisition by Marsh. During his tenure at Graham, Brad played a key role in the company’s first office expansion, helping establish a new location in New York City.

Education 
Rowan University – Bachelor of Science in Finance

Community Involvement 
Brad is a Global Patient Advocate & Speaker who is actively involved with two non-profits: The Emily Whitehead Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At the age of 29, Brad was diagnosed with FL and DLBCL Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Between 2017 and 2021 he underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation therapies, an autologous stem cell transplant, immunotherapy, CAR-T therapy, and an excision of malignant nodes.

Published Articles
Cardinal Health’s 2025 Advanced Therapies Report

  • Hope for Patients: Brad’s Story
  • Provider Perspectives on Referral Challenges and Solutions
  • Preparing for CGT Administration: Travel and Logistics
  • A Patient-Centered Approach to the CGT Supply Chain
  • Life After Treatment: Long Term Follow-up and Beyond

Diane DiFrancesco

Responsibilities
Diane DiFrancesco concentrates on sales for Conner Strong & Buckelew in the Public Sector and the North Jersey marketplace.

Background
DiFrancesco began her career at John Hancock in 1966 as a Group Health Claims Representative. After leaving John Hancock, she went to work for American Mutual as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster. In 1987, she went to work for Amalgamated General Agencies where her responsibilities included Claims Representative, Personal Lines Customer Service Representative and eventually moving to a sales position. DiFrancesco joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 1997 working in the Public Entity and Employee Benefits Divisions.

Education
Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of the Arts in Spanish

Community Involvement
DiFrancesco is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Freedom House. She has served on the fundraising committee of New Jersey Network and is a former Board Member of the Emmanuel Cancer Fund. She has been involved with the College Women’s Club and the Scotch Plains PTA. She is also a former Trustee of the Scotch Plains Library and Union County College.

C. Shea Cavanaugh

Responsibilities
Shea Cavanaugh serves as a technical resource in the development and training of Producers, offering mentorship to new hires in Risk Management consulting. She acts as a liaison between Producers and the Production Support Group (PSG). Her role includes qualifying and managing new business opportunities, with a focus on navigating varying risk profile complexities.

Background
Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, Shea was a Technical Development Associate at The Graham Company, a large regional insurance brokerage firm based in Philadelphia. During her 9-year tenure with her previous employer, Shea held various roles in the Production, Account Management, and Technical Development departments.

Education
The Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Science in Biology

Professional Designations
Accredited Professional in Risk and Insurance (APRI)
Associate in General Insurance (AINS)

Jackie Becker

Responsibilities
Jackie Becker focuses on new business development and relationship management in the middle market private sector. She works with clients to design sustainable employee benefit programs that create value for both the employers and employees. With a focus on simplifying complex challenges, Jackie strives to be a trusted partner by delivering clear, thoughtful, and effective solutions.

Background
Jackie brings nearly a decade of healthcare and insurance experience to her role at Conner Strong & Buckelew. Previously, she served as a Producer at Hamilton Insurance Agency, specializing in senior housing, long-term care, and skilled nursing, where she managed new business development efforts.

Before her tenure at Hamilton, Jackie spent several years at Penn Medicine, where she held both patient-facing and operational roles. She successfully managed teams of more than 40 employees, overseeing payroll, employee and patient relations, billing and coding, compliance with the Department of Labor and The Joint Commission, open enrollment, and benefits consulting.

Jackie’s diverse background provides her with a unique perspective as a broker. She possesses a deep understanding of how products and services impact organizations at every level, from leadership to individual end users.

Community Involvement
Community Volunteer with Friends for Good, Philadelphia
Member of Downtown Camden Young Professionals