Instructor Profiles

F Scott Addis

John Aaron Chapman Jr

CIC, CPCU

Chappy Chapman is Chief Growth Officer of Correll Insurance Group, a privately-held independent insurance agency with offices South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Mississippi. Prior to joining Correll, Chappy was an account executive with Riley & Associates, an independent insurance agency that has been in operation in the Charleston area since 1936. Before joining Riley & Associates, for six years, Chappy served as General Manager of White Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency with offices in Black Mountain and Arden, North Carolina. He began his insurance career in 1974, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina. The majority of Chappy's experience has been in the Independent Agency System; however, he has spent time on the company side as Marketing Manager of Old Charleston Insurance Company and Branch Manager of Medical Mutual Insurance Company of North Carolina. Additionally, Chappy has served as Director of Education for the Independent Insurance Agents of South Carolina. He is a member of The National Alliance National Faculty and is an Educational Consultant of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. He earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 1980 and his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1982.

John Fear

CPIA, CISR

John Fear has worked in the insurance industry for over thirty years in the areas of Life & Annuity, Small Commercial, Boiler & Machinery, Field Operations, Process Engineering and Personal Insurance. In 2007, John left the corporate life to start his own consulting firm – Premier Business Consulting.As National Director of Agency Development at a Fortune 100 Insurance Company, John conducted over 100 workshops for agency owners and developed and facilitated dozens of sales training sessions throughout the country for hundreds of Producers and CSRs. He has consulted with dozens of agents across the country, focusing on improving sales and maximizing operational efficiencies.Since starting his own business, he has been a featured presenter at several National Sales Meetings for major insurance companies and Independent Agency organizations. Those experiences have given him an outstanding knowledge of, and insight into, real life solutions that effectively meet agency needs. His workshops enable agents to meet and exceed their business objectives by incorporating sound business principles into their everyday operations.John lives in the Adirondack Region of New York State with his wife Cheryl and their Cairn terrier Sasha.

Robin Federici

CPCU, AAI, ARM, AINS, AIS, CPIW

Robin C. Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW , began her career in the property & casualty insurance business over thirty years ago. She has in-depth knowledge and experience in both insurance agency and company operations and procedures. For over fifteen years, Robin served as the Director of Education and Communications -- and then Assistant Executive Vice President -- for Rhode Island's largest professional trade association for independent insurance agents and brokers. In 2003, Robin formed her own training and consulting company, - Insurance Education & Training Associates, LLC (IETA).Robin earned the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1987. In 1992 she earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and in 1999, the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation.She is a past president of the RI Chapter Society of CPCU and is currently serving as a member of their Scholarship Board. Robin also serves as a National Governor and member of the national Society of CPCU Board of Governors. Robin has served the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) on several committees, most recently as a member of the ACSR sub-committee and the Virtual University Research and Development Committee. Robin was also a long-time member of the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) Advisory Committee of the Insurance Institute of America/American Institute of CPCU.During her tenure with IIARI, Robin earned many awards from IIABA, including the prestigious L.P. McCord Education Award.

Bradford J Lachut

Esq

Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., has been a dedicated leader in the Professional Insurance Agents association since he joined as government affairs counsel in 2012. After a brief leave, he returned in 2018 as the director of government & industry affairs, now spearheading all legal, government relations, and insurance industry programs for five state associations. Bradford leads a highly skilled team of legal and technical professionals, collaborating with state boards and legislative committees to shape and implement strategic legislative objectives that strengthen the insurance landscape for agents and their clients.

In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Bradford serves as a trusted legislative contact for PIA members, answering legal inquiries, reporting on evolving legislative and regulatory issues, and providing contract reviews. He also shares his expertise through articles in PIA publications and by teaching continuing education courses across the Northeast, furthering the knowledge and professional growth of agents and industry members.

Before joining PIA, Bradford honed his legal expertise as an attorney with Steven J. Baum PC in Amherst and as an associate at the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also served as senior manager of government affairs at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, where he advanced the interests of local businesses within his beloved hometown region of Buffalo, N.Y. (Go Bills!).

Bradford earned his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in government and politics from Utica College, N.Y. An active Mason and Shriner, he dedicates significant time to Shriners International, where he is an emeritus board member of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Mass. He is also deeply involved in local community programs, supporting youth sports and theater initiatives as a volunteer and patron.

Steven D Lyon

CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS

Lyon is the founder and principal of Lyon Consulting Services LLC, an independent consulting and educational firm. He utilizes his 35 years of expertise and experience associated with owning, operating and managing an independent insurance agency in northern New Jersey. In addition, Lyon has served as the regional director of education and regional vice president in charge of personal lines for the insurance division of a dynamic banking institution. He has earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Certified Insurance Counselor, Certified Risk Managers, Accredited Adviser in Insurance, Associate in Risk Management, Associate in Insurance Services, Construction Risk Insurance Specialist and Management Liability Insurance Specialist designations. Lyon conducts more than 150 insurance-related classes each year for agencies and companies throughout the U.S. He works regularly with the Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire along with the Society of CIC. His fast-paced, unique teaching style, makes him a favorite among seminar attendees.

Mishell K Magnusson

CIC, CISR, CPIA, AAI, FIPC

Mishell is the owner of KJM Consulting & Training, Inc. in Munnsville, New York. KJM specializes in providing a broad range of high quality training programs to insurance agencies; insurance companies and banks throughout the north east.In 2018 Mishell was named the recipient of The Gold Level Outstanding Course Leader Award and in 2016 The Silver Level Outstanding Course Leader Award. Both by The Institutes Risk & Insurance Knowledge Group in recognition of teaching classes that met or exceeded the national pass ratio.Mishell was named the 2013 AIMS Society - CPIA Facilitator of the Year as well as the 2014 Federation of New York Insurance Professionals - Tina A. Bobak Insurance Professional of the Year. She received the National Customer Service Representative of the Year award by the Professional Insurance Agents in 2004. She was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in Central New York State in 2004.Mishell is also contributing editor to Agents of America for a series "Insurance Agency Risk management - A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding E&O Claims". These books are published nationally by West Legal Ed center, a business of Thomas Reuters.Mishell is a contributing author for PIA Management Services Inc. New York and New Jersey Professional Insurance Agents magazine; Wisconsin Professional Agent; Professional Insurance Agents of Florida; Professional Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc. and The Professional Insurance Agent of Nebraska/Iowa. Her class presentations have also been featured in National Underwriter Magazine.Mishell is the author of a local central New York state historical book called “Images of America Madison and Hamilton” that has been sold world-wide. Due to her passion for history, Mishell was presented the Madison County Historical Society Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013.Mishell currently holds New York State Property and Casualty Brokers License; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a New York State Producer License to Act as a Consultant; a Certified Insurance Service Representative designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor designation; the Accredited Advisor of Insurance designation; Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor designation.Mishell is a frequent speaker for The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research; Florida Association of Insurance Agents; and The Professional Insurance Agents of New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire & Connecticut for designation programs along with various other topics. She is a member of the AIMS (American Insurance Marketing & Sales) Society for the instruction of the Certified Professional Insurance Agents courses and for the Big I NY’s (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York) Errors & Omission courses along with their various other programs.Mishell has written and presented specialty programs for numerous insurance companies including Allegany Insurance Group; Dryden Mutual Insurance Company; HR Keller Group; Midstate Mutual Insurance Company; nycm Insurance Company; Preferred Mutual Insurance Company; Security Mutual Insurance Company; and Plymouth Rock Assurance Company, as well as being one of the primary presenters for The New York Automobile Insurance Plan Producers Procedures Course.In addition, Mishell has worked as an Adjunct Professor for Mohawk Valley Community College; Bryant & Stratton College; Madison/Oneida BOCES and State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego. Mishell is also a member of The National Notary Association.KJM Consulting & Training, Inc.5869 Bishop Road, Munnsville, NY 13409-2221315-439-6764mishell62@outlook.com

Mark A Palinkas

CIC

Mark is currently employed as a Commercial Underwriter & Marketing Representative with the Oswego County Mutual Insurance Company of Parish, NY. Mark received his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1995 and obtained his Certificate of General Insurance in 1991. Mark continues to maintain a valid New York State insurance broker's license and has been an active instructor for CIC and CISR institutes since 2001. He is the Educational Consultant for CIC institutes conducted in New York and current resides in Hastings, NY.

Terry L Tadlock

Terry is a 37 year veteran of the insurance industry. In an attempt to enjoy a little slower paced life he has joined the Correll Insurance Group of agencies as the President of Coastal Plains Insurance, LLC (CPI) and South East Coastal Underwriters (SECU) in beautiful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Terry is part owner and responsible for the day to day operations of CPI and SECU. Prior to Terry's joining CPI he was owner and CEO of Florida Insurance Educators , Inc. which is an insurance education and consulting firm that in conjunction with Florida Insurance School worked with state and national organizations provides a variety of educational courses and consulting services. Terry continues to accept national speaking engagements and writes technical articles for a variety of state and national insurance publications. In his spare time Terry is also recognized by Federal and State courts as an expert on insurance coverages and serves as an expert witness. Terry began his career in 1979 in Florida. The majority of this time was spent as the principal of an independent insurance agency in Florida where he specialized in a variety of Professional Liability programs as well as designing several specialty programs serving the Construction industry. Terry has also worked with the Florida Department of Insurance where he was the Administrator of Agents Licensing. His primary responsibilities included the approving individuals for agent licensing and supervision the writing of all state insurance examinations. During this time he also represented the state of Florida on the National Test Development Committee which sets standards for agents licensing examinations. Currently, Terry holds a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and is a National Faculty Member of the Society. In addition, he serves as the Educational Consultant in the States of North Carolina. Terry also holds a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist CRIS) professional designations.

Bryan Tilden

CIC, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM, ALCM, SCLA

Bryan is a National Lecturer and Expert Witness in the field of insurance. Prior to starting his own firm, he was the Director of Technical Affairs and Director of Education for IIANC. Since entering the insurance business in 1974 as an Account Executive, he has worked for major brokerage firms on Fortune 100 accounts around the nation. He specialized in large retention programs, utilizing the international insurance marketplace. Tilden has been active in insurance education as a grading panel member for the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Property Liability Underwriters. He has taught in every state in the US, and also teaches in Bermuda and Europe. He has served on the Education and Technical Committees for the IIANC and worked with the State of North Carolina on pre-licensing and continuing education. In 1988, IIANC presented him with the Ernest F. Young Education Award, and in 1989 Agent of the Year. He has taught in schools for both the PIA and IIA, been a speaker at RIMS and C.P.C.U. meetings, and has spoken at various conventions. He is a National Faculty Member for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. An active volunteer in rescue services, Tilden is an internationally certified technical rescue instructor. In 2013, he received the Higgins and Langley Memorial Rescue Award for a Swiftwater Rescue Incident. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators along with their NC Chapter, and teaches arson investigation courses.

Catherine L Trischan

CPCU, CIC, CRM, AU, AAI, CRIS, ARM, MLIS, TRIP

Cathy Trischan entered the insurance business upon graduation from Rutgers University. After her first job as a claims adjuster for a carrier, she moved to the agency side of the business. She held various agency positions including Commercial Lines Manager, Producer and, most recently, Director of Commercial Underwriting. In 2023, she began to work full-time in her training and consulting business. In addition to her work with PIA, Cathy is a regular presenter for various agents’ associations and other organizations. She is a National Faculty member of The National Alliance, speaking in the CIC, CISR, Ruble and ProFocus programs. Cathy has also written numerous articles on various insurance topics. A firm believer that one should never stop learning, Cathy holds several professional designations including CPCU, CIC and CRM.