Responsibilities
James DerHagopian manages a book of business that services clients in a wide range of industries, including construction, real estate, transportation, and technology. He is responsible for the coordination of daily account service needs, contract reviews, coverage analysis, and the design, negotiation, and implementation of property and casualty insurance programs for public and private sector clients. For construction projects this includes the design, marketing, and implementation of controlled insurance programs (CIPs). As well as the everyday servicing of account management, claims management, and safety services. James is also an active participant in several Conner Strong & Buckelew focus groups, including the Construction Practice Group, which works to address current industry trends, market conditions, and the resulting impact on insurance coverages for those in the construction industry.
Background
James originally joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2008 as a member of the Production Support Group in Philadelphia, PA. He was responsible for the analysis and placement of prospective clients’ insurance programs. Prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew’s New York office, James was an Underwriter for Old Republic Construction Program Group in New York, where he focused on construction accounts headquartered in New York, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic regions.
Education
The College of New Jersey – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance
Professional Designations
Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS)
Responsibilities
Kate Kelly is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and tactical risk management solutions supporting the business needs for public and private sector clients. Kate is responsible for insurance program design, marketing, placement, and the coordination of daily account service needs, including coverage analyses, program changes, and contract reviews. Her portfolio of accounts spans a range of industries, including construction, real estate, life sciences, and technology. Kate actively participates in several Conner Strong & Buckelew focus groups, including the Construction Practice Group, which works to address current industry trends, market conditions, and resulting impacts on insurance coverages for those in the construction industry.
Background
Kate joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in April 2016. Previously, Kate worked at Sovereign Insurance Group, where she was an Account Manager and Large Claims Consultant, servicing small to mid-size non-profit and education accounts. Prior to joining Sovereign Insurance Group, Kate worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Case Manager for national market clients, where she investigated claims and determined compensability according to the statutory guidelines of various jurisdictions.
Education
Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College – Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Lifespan Developmental Science Option, Minor in Psychology
Professional Designations & Licenses
Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Property & Casualty Producer– New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Delaware
Workers’ Compensation Adjuster – Connecticut, Delaware and New Hampshire
Responsibilities
Sarah Lambert is responsible for the coordination of daily account service needs, contract reviews, coverage analysis, and the implementation and negotiation of property and casualty insurance programs for commercial lines clients from various industries such as healthcare and construction.
Background
Sarah joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in early 2015 as an Account Analyst after working for Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Inc. as a Commercial Insurance Account Representative. Prior to her position at Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Inc., Sarah she was a New Business Coordinator at JKJ Financial Services where she coordinated all underwriting for life insurance of high-net-worth clients while working directly with clients and carriers.
Education
Swarthmore College – Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Professional Designations
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS)
Licensed Property and Casualty Producer
Responsibilities
Fawna Shultie is responsible for developing and implementing strategic and tactical risk management solutions for the business needs of commercial clients in an ever-changing environment. Fawna focuses on program design and marketing, insurance placement, contract review, and providing direction and leadership to the account service team. Client responsibilities include coordination of the service team on day-to-day matters, negotiation and implementation of Property, Casualty and ancillary liability programs. In addition, Fawna is a member of the Alternative Risk Practice Group and Public Entity Practice Group.
Background
Fawna began her career within the insurance industry in 1998 working for a multi-faceted carrier before joining Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2008. She has experience in managing a wide array of public and private clients from educational institutions to manufacturers.
Professional Designations
Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS)
Responsibilities
Julie Tillotson is responsible for developing and implementing strategic and tactical risk management solutions for the business needs of commercial clients. Specifically, Julie focuses on program design and marketing, insurance placement, contract review and coordination of services. Client responsibilities include coordination of the service team on day-to-day matters, negotiation and implementation of Property, Casualty and ancillary liability programs.
Background
Julie has more than 15 years of insurance experience. Prior to re-joining Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2013, she was a Commercial Lines Account Manager and Vice President for TD Insurance. In this role she managed and retained an existing book of business while preparing marketing strategies and pursuing new opportunities for growth. Julie’s history with Conner Strong & Buckelew dates back to 1998, then Commerce Insurance, when she began her career as a Customer Service Representative for Small Commercial Accounts and was eventually promoted to an Account Manager for the Major Accounts Department.
Education
Ocean County College – Business Management
Professional Designations
Insurance Producer License – Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Life, Health
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Responsibilities
Harvin Vig is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and tactical risk management solutions that support the business needs of private and public sector clients. Harvin is responsible for insurance program design, marketing, placement, and the coordination of daily account service needs, including coverage analyses, program changes, and contract reviews. Harvin also actively participates in the Real Estate Practice Group in our New York office.
Background
Harvin started his career at E.B. Cohen Insurance & Risk Management working his way up to becoming a Vice President. Additionally, Harvin was a Vice President at HUB International and prior to joining Conner Strong & Buckelew, he was a Senior Vice President and Team Leader at York International where he focused on complex real estate accounts.
Education
University of Pennsylvania – Bachelor of Arts in Economics
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Master of Biomedical Sciences
Fordham University Graduate School of Business – Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management
Professional Designations
Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
Responsibilities
John Linden brings over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing strategic and tactical risk management solutions for the business needs of commercial clients in various industries. Specifically, John focuses on program design and marketing, insurance placement, contract review and coordination of services. His client responsibilities include oversight of the service team on day-to-day matters and negotiation and implementation of property, casualty and ancillary liability insurance programs. He also is a member of the Workers’ Compensation and Healthcare Practice Groups, which work to address current industry trends, market conditions, and resulting impacts on insurance coverages.
Background
John originally joined Conner Strong & Buckelew in 2014 as an Account Manager and advanced to a Partner and Account Executive role before taking on a new opportunity. In March 2023, John joined Summit Health, part of VillageMD, as Vice President of Enterprise Insurance. There, John oversaw the complete insurance program, including recommendations and strategic decision making on the consolidation of programs, which included Captives and Risk Retention Groups. In February 2024, John made the decision to re-join Conner Strong & Buckelew as Vice President, Senior Account Executive. Prior to his experience at the firm, John served as an Assistant Account Manager for The Addis Group, LLC in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. He was responsible for the daily management and servicing of his accounts as well as assisting in the account renewal process through the preparation of submissions, marketing, and coverage analysis for several key commercial accounts in middle and large market divisions. While at Addis, John refined his leadership and collaborative skills through The Main Line Chamber of Commerce’s six-month leadership program where he experienced in-depth, hands-on training across a broad range of business lines. Before joining The Addis Group in 2013, John learned the insurance industry from the ground up by serving for 10 years as an Account Executive in the Personal and Commercial Insurance Department for Kramer-Warner Associates, Inc. located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Education
La Salle University – Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Community Involvement
Bringing Hope Home
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
