Movers & Shakers

New this year, IA&B also recognizes six additional young insurance professionals as Young Agent Movers & Shakers. Growing interest in the Young Agent Award – and impressive pool of nominees – prompted the creation of this additional recognition category. Congratulations to these recipients!

Jeffrey T. Benson Jr.

JEFFREY T. BENSON JR., MBA

Age: 38

Agency: Prominent Insurance

Location: Wilmington, DE

Job title: Managing Partner

Years in the industry: 15

Best part of your job:

The best part of my job is working with the clients.

Biggest professional accomplishment:

We are currently going through the process to offer franchising opportunities for individuals who are interested in becoming an independent agent/ entrepreneur. I am super excited about this because we will be able to help expose more minorities to the insurance industry via this avenue.

Fun fact about you:

I am currently completing my doctorate degree (Doctorate in Business Administration) with a concentration of exposing and recruiting more minorities into the insurance industry. I am projected to finish and defend my dissertation in April 2023.

Kathryn P. Marr

KATHRYN P. MARR, CISR

Age: 27

Agency: Frye Insurance Associates Inc.

Location: Laytonsville, MD

Job title: Licensed Insurance Agent/Producer

Years in the industry: 4

Best part of your job:

Helping insureds with policies and working with my coworkers because we are one big family here at Frye Insurance Associates Inc.

Biggest professional accomplishment:

Earning the CISR designation and being named an IA&B Young Agent Mover & Shaker. And outside of the industry, I’ve earned a few licenses for my coaching profession.

Fun fact about you:

I played college soccer and then coached soccer at the collegiate level while obtaining my master’s degree and insurance license. Now I am the head coach of a youth team with a local soccer club, which I’ve done while working my full-time job at Frye Insurance Associates Inc. and earning my CISR designation.

Shayne McIntosh

SHAYNE MCINTOSH, CIC

Age: 30

Agency: JPI Insurance Associates Inc.

Location: Dillsburg, PA

Job title: Commercial Producer

Years in the industry: 5

Best part of your job:

Having the opportunity to build amazing relationships with teammates, carrier partners, community players, and clients is hands down the best part of my job. There’s inspiration, support, or something to be learned from every person you come across in this industry.

Biggest professional accomplishment:

Getting my CIC designation was a momentous achievement (thanks IA&B, who made it possible through their scholarship program). There is no better policy training out there. While the process and content posed their challenges, working hard and seeing it through the fifth and final exam was exciting for me!

Fun fact about you:

I’m a bit of an activity/sports junky. I love golf, soccer, skiing, and exercising in my free time. Gotta stay active; preferably outdoors!

Jill E. Nye

JILL E. NYE, CIC, CISR, CPIA, AINS, API, CAPI

Age: 39

Agency: Gunn Mowery LLC

Location: Lemoyne, PA

Job title: Vice President, Personal Lines Service Manager

Years in the industry: 20

Best part of your job:

Working with my amazing team at an awesome agency, and the ability to watch us all grow together. I couldn’t ask for a better set of coworkers or a more supportive boss and management team. I also love working with our customers to help them understand insurance so they can make an informed decision on their coverage.

Biggest professional accomplishment:

Making it to the role of Vice President and Personal Lines Manager by age 37. And having the ability to be the team leader of a successful department and amazing team. Also, with the encouragement of my past and current bosses, I was able to earn six designations and am working towards several more.

Fun fact about you:

I love to sing and love the theater. In fact, I wanted to be a Broadway actress, but I found my way into insurance and never looked back.

Chaz Timmons

CHAZ TIMMONS, CPIA

Age: 29

Agency: PDM Insurance Agency

Location: Biglerville, PA

Job title: Personal Lines Agent, Office Manager & Director of Marketing

Years in the industry: 6

Best part of your job:

The best part of my job is helping and educating people. Being able to provide peace of mind to someone is a great feeling. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I always strive to do my best – not only for myself, but most importantly for my clients. I think there is a lot to be said about what we as agents do!

Biggest professional accomplishment:

My biggest accomplishment is achieving my own office within PDM Insurance. There was a time before I started with PDM that I didn’t think insurance was for me. I started out with State Farm, and the office I had been working at was closing. I was discouraged and unsure what I was going to do with my life, and then Rita [McMullen, president of PDM] found me, and I haven’t looked back! Each year with PDM has been a stepping stone higher, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Fun fact about you:

I am an ordained officiant and I have married four couples, with a 100% success rate!

Katie B. Unruh Vang

KATIE B. UNRUH VANG, CISR

Age: 39

Agency: Unruh Insurance Agency Inc.

Location: Denver and East Earl, PA

Job title: Personal Lines Supervisor, Sales Agent

Years in the industry: 19

Best part of your job:

I love that I am one of the women who is changing the idea of what an insurance sales person and (future) agency owner look like. I’m thankful to all the women who came before me, and I hope that we continue to inspire young females, like my daughters, to thrive and be successful in their profession – no matter what career path they choose. Of course, my other favorite part of the job is setting up our clients with better coverage than they’ve ever had with any of their previous policies.

Biggest professional accomplishment:

This honor ranks pretty high on the list! Another was when our agency was named the “Giving Network Agency of the Year” by one of our primary insurance carriers for our volunteering and community work. My grandfather, Bob Unruh, started our agency back in 1977, and he made sure this was always a priority from our humble beginnings.

Fun fact about you:

I’ve been to Disney World way too many times. It’s my favorite place on Earth! I also love traveling anywhere new, and visiting the major National Parks is on my bucket list. The ultimate vacation destination for me though would be the Galapagos Islands, but I have a few more insurance policies to sell before I get there!