FEATURES
COVER STORY: YOUNG GUNS CORY FRIEDMAN Senior associate GCG FINANCIAL, INC. Age: 27
For Cory Friedman, going into insurance was about helping others see the light. Starting out as an intern at GCG, he saw how the company’s advisors helped simplify the complexities of insurance for their clients. “I knew right away that I wanted to be that person, educating and supporting my clients’ employees,” he says. And it’s
WILSON LONG
RYAN GIBNEY
Principal
Vice president and DC cyber technology practice leader
EPIC INSURANCE BROKERS Age: 33
The ever-evolving nature of insurance is what drew Wilson Long into the industry, as it not only requires constant learning but also encourages a “consultative” interaction between business owners and executives. Long has made significant leaps in his career over the last five years, evolving from a national account producer to a vice president, senior VP and now principal. He received his company’s top consultant award two years in a row after posting revenue growth of more than $250,000 and then $450,000. A speaker and writer for construction business-related concerns, Long will be a participant in the upcoming 2016 Andrew Beazley Broker Academy at Lloyd’s. He says it’s important to “push yourself outside your comfort zone” and to “celebrate your successes no matter the magnitude” – a good balancing act for any young professional. Outside of his work at EPIC, Long is an Eagle Scout, a junior board member for The Club and a previous board member for the Rotaract Club of Birmingham, in addition to participating in projects for United Way of America, Boy Scouts of America and JDRF.
24
www.ibamag.com
not just any clients, but specifically his millennial peers, who he realized needed to see insurance in a different light. Beyond hitting numbers and receiving the company’s Circle of Excellence Award, what Friedman finds motivating is getting to work with big companies with multiple offices/sites, as this challenges his team’s creativity and technological savvy. He advises young professionals who wish to enter the industry to be patient and persistent and, as he did, find a partner or mentor who will help them grow their skills and business.
LOCKTON COMPANIES, LLC Age: 28
It’s no coincidence that Ryan Gibney chose a career in insurance – his parents met while working at an insurance company, and both enjoyed long careers in the industry. Gibney now leads the cyber technology practice at the Washington DC Series of Lockton Companies, which, under Gibney’s leadership, has driven more than $1.5 million in new and organic business in just the past 18 months. His vast experience in complex insurance programs has also allowed him to become a frequent speaker at industry events and participate as a global resource for Lockton in communicating with clients on cyber issues. An avid sports fan, Gibney’s interests spread nationally and across the Atlantic as he supports his favorite teams: the Chicago Cubs, New York Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Manchester United.