INSURANCE
JEFFREY CONNOLLY SVP and president, West Michigan and Upper Peninsula Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Grand Rapids
GREG WILLIAMS
President, CEO Acrisure LLC, Caledonia
Jeffrey Connolly is responsible for growth and profitability, delivery of high-quality services to consumers, and developing and implementing strategic plans for the health plan business division, West Michigan and Upper Peninsula, of BCBSM. From 2005-06, Connolly was president and CEO of Aetna’s Midwest Network Access Business. He also held other executive and senior roles at various organizations in the past 30 years. Connolly serves on the boards for Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, West Michigan Policy Forum, Covenant House and Grand Valley State University’s Health Advisory Board. He is a member of the CEO Council for Talent 2025 and is a financial supporter of the Arthritis Foundation, United Way, Covenant House, Catholic Charities, March of Dimes, NAACP, Girl Scouts, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids and Alzheimer’s Association.
LAW
THOMAS HELMSTETTER President, CEO Lighthouse Group, Grand Rapids
Thomas Helmstetter has led the private full-service insurance broker Lighthouse Group since he was a founding member in 1995. Today, the company has seven office locations, 200 employees and services a 23-state geographic footprint. With over 40 years of industry experience, Helmstetter has held many advisory board positions and strategic leadership roles to support carrier partners, industry growth and development, and community initiatives. He operates under the belief that businesses should always be giving back to the communities they serve and with that mindset, the Lighthouse Group team has volunteered over 1,000 hours to local nonprofits in the past year alone. In addition to his philanthropic commitment, he leads his team in innovation, authenticity and a “people-first” business model that has set Lighthouse Group apart as one of West Michigan’s top insurance brokers.
EDUCATION: Central Michigan University (B) FIRST JOB: CPA for Deloitte & Touche LESSON LEARNED: At the birth of each of my children, I was flooded with every emotion possible of the magnitude of responsibility I was graced with as their father. The lesson for me was to enjoy the ride with each of them because it goes way too fast. LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS: I have a twin brother, and I enjoy classic car repair. PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE: Tom Selleck, my favorite actor
EDUCATION: Illinois Institute of Technology (B) FIRST JOB: Short order cook at a sandwich shop BEST ADVICE: Always assume everyone has positive intentions HOBBIES: Sailing, running, spending time with family GRAND RAPIDS ATTRACTION: Downtown Riverwalk
As co-founder, president and chief executive officer, Greg Williams has successfully led Acrisure to become one of the largest global insurance brokers. Under his leadership, Acrisure has had a compounded annual growth rate of over 80% since its inception in 2005 and eclipsed $2 billion in revenue in 2019. Acrisure is now one of the top 10 largest insurance brokers in the world and the most profitable insurance broker compared to its peers. In 2016, Williams led a management buyout of Acrisure’s private equity investor in a $2.9 billion transaction. As a result, the company is now majority-owned (85%) by Acrisure’s employees and its agency partners, with board control as well. Prior to founding Acrisure, Williams was a board adviser to a variety of companies and was a vice president for Michigan National Corporation (MNC), a $19 billion bank holding company. As a senior executive at MNC, he managed the Commercial Sales and Services Group, was a member of the Corporate Marketing Committee and chaired the Corporate Operations Committee.
Doug Dozeman is the managing partner for Warner Norcross + Judd and sets the strategic direction for the law firm across eight offices in Michigan. With over 36 years of legal experience in protecting the interests of businesses and individuals involved in complex civil litigation, he works to minimize risks and losses while helping clients move toward successful resolutions. Dozeman defends and prosecutes cases concerning patent infringement, trade secrets, idea misappropriation and many other areas. He holds several community leadership positions as board member for the Hope Housing Commission and The Right Place, and as the former chair and board member for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
DOUG DOZEMAN
Managing partner Warner Norcross + Judd, Grand Rapids
BEST ADVICE: After my father died at an early age — he was 39 and I was 14 — my mother told me, "If you want something in life, you'll have to do it yourself.” That galvanized me; it took all excuses away. LESSON LEARNED: The harder I work, the luckier I get FAVORITE BOOK: “Grit” by Angela Duckworth
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EDUCATION: Calvin College (B), Wayne State University Law School (J.D.) FIRST JOB: I grew up on a farm, so I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t working. BEST ADVICE: I was taught early on at Warner to treat clients like your friends, and that’s always stood me in good stead. FUNNIEST WORK EXPERIENCE: Learning to play euchre at a summer factory job. We only had 15 minutes during lunch break, so if you didn’t learn how to throw in a hand after two tricks, you were roasted as the “college kid.” HIDDEN TALENT: I know how to pluck a chicken.
