Meet the Team | Ascinsure
A seasoned underwriting professional with over 30 years experience, Mr. Keinard provides leadership, support, and guidance to Ascinsure’s underwriting team, ensuring the department’s efficiency and quality continues to meet company standards. As such, he ensures his department achieves goals and objectives vital to the organization’s success. Past experience includes Account Executive Officer positions at Travelers and Discover Re (a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers), as well as various senior level positions at Chubb & Sons and Aeta Casualty & Surety Company. Mr. Keinard received his B.S degree at Penn State University and holds CPCU, ARM, and ARe certifications.
Gail has over 30 years of underwriting experience. A graduate of Marshall University, she has a BA in Finance with a minor in insurance. She earned her CPCU designation in 1987, and continued her education by obtaining her Associate in Loss Control Management (ALCM) in 1995. Gail began her career with USF&G as a Casualty Underwriter and assisted in a training program for new underwriters. She has also worked for Royal and Zurich, with her last place of employment prior to Ascinsure with Northbrook Insurance Company/St. Paul. Gail underwrites the accounts in the MGA operations, reviews other underwriter’s work product, as well as performing ongoing analysis of statistical data relating to Ascinsure’s programs overall profitability.
Within her role, Rikki spearheads Ascinsure’s new business development goals by building mutually beneficial broker relationships, as well as provide unmatched service to her broker partners and their insureds. Rikki began her carreer over 20 years agao on the agency side working directly with insureds and managing the insurance marketing teams at two different agencies in the Pittsburgh area. Rikki started with Ascinsure in 2019 and has used her prior experience working with wholesalers to deliver superior service and resources to our agents. She is thrilled to work with an organization with such a unique focus where she can truly work along side her broker partners and make meaningful impacts for their insureds. Rikki obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Business from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Rikki works directly with agents to provide the expertise to place their tough risks in our niche programs.
As a Broker Service Specialist here at Ascinsure Specialty Risk / RPS Signature Programs, Nikki will work closely with Ascinsure’s partner-brokers to provide renewals, endorsements, claims and other service requests to ensure you and your insureds receive the service level Ascinsure prides itself on. Joining Ascinsure less than 2 years ago, Nikki was recently named an ‘Employee of the Quarter’ and has quickly earned her way into more prominent positions within the organization. Besides being a rock star for Ascinsure, Nikki also enjoys indoor plants & gardening, running with her Brittany Spaniel, and volunteering around her community. Nikki graduated from La Roche College and recently earned her Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation.
A graduate of Robert Morris University, Mr. McElhinny has started his young career very promisingly. Prior to Ascinsure, Mr. McElhinny has gained valuable experience working for organizations such as State Farm Insurance and the Internal Revenue Service. Most recently, he served as an Associate Commercial Underwriter – Middle Markets for Zurich North America. At Zurich, his duties included negotiating policy coverage and premiums for Auto, Property, Worker’s Compensation and General Liability insurance, and analyzing and reviewing accounts to identify any significant and/or unusual risk exposures.
Joined Ascinsure’s underwriting staff in September, 2000 as an Assistant Underwriter. With almost 40 years of Commercial Insurance experience her expertise is broad in scope, incorporating many aspects of insurance company operations, including rating, underwriting, audit, accounting, claims, product management and reinsurance. She started her insurance career at American States Insurance Company were she worked for 18 years holding various positions from Rating Specialist to Commercial Lines Underwriter, cumulating in the position of Commercial Systems Specialist. As the Commercial Systems Specialist it was her responsibility to provide guidance and support to the underwriters to assure the effective and appropriate use of the company’s products, programs and rating procedures. With the restructure and relocation of American States, Pam worked for Zurich Insurance Company before joining Ascinsure. Pam has her IIA designation and has completed 7 parts of CPCU.
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With more than three decades of focused experience within our niche markets, the Ascinsure team is knowledgeable and passionate about helping you win business. We’re available to answer any questions you have and help you get started.