SPECIAL REPORT

YOUNG GUNS 2018

MARC ESCALONA Vice president, captive practice COBBS ALLEN Age: 35

Under Marc Escalona’s leadership, Cobbs Allen’s alternative risk and captive

MARY CASTRO Nonprofit insurance consultant CHARITY ONE INSURANCE AGENCY Age: 26

Mary Castro joined Charity One five years ago with little knowledge of insurance but plenty of initiative and determination.

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strategies practice group has experienced consistent double-digit growth and expanded its product offerings, all while maintaining a 100% retention rate. To ensure effective structuring of programs, Escalona has developed analytical tools, along with an actuary modeling platform, to mine client data. He conducts feasibility analyses and coordinates the captive process to help clients effectively manage their corporate risks and insurance costs. Recognizing the industry’s need for more young talent, Escalona contributes to the efforts of the Alabama Young Agents and the University of Alabama’s I-Day, a conference for insurance industry professionals. He has also served as a judge for the InVEST program, which works with high school and college educators to provide useful insurance curriculum for students.

Starting out as front desk administrator, Castro worked her way to new business team lead, overseeing and developing new sales, managing social media, developing marketing plans and more. Within the past three years, she has averaged $850,000 in annual new premium and secured Charity One’s largest client to date. In addition, she started an outreach initiative to find ways to give back to nonprofit clients monthly, developed a video series on coverages and doubled the firm’s social media reach. Outside of the office, Castro is an active volunteer for CASA of San Bernardino and the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California. Through Charity One, she has volunteered for various charitable causes, including Shepherd’s Pantry, Butterfly Kisses Foundation and the Triumph Foundation. She is also a board member and volunteer coach for the Rialto Youth Soccer League.

AARON G. CAHOON Senior vice president, commercial insurance USI INSURANCE SERVICES Age: 34

As a senior vice president in USI Insurance Services’ commercial division, Aaron Cahoon understands the importance of going beyond insurance transactions to connect clients with resources that will help their businesses grow. He has been a key player in building out USI’s Northwest food and agricultural practice group, which has seen revenue growth of $2.5 million in the past three years. Cahoon was also instrumental in helping structure USI’s proprietary FoodSafe program, an inventory protection program that aims to reduce the total cost of risk for companies facing supply-chain risks. Recently, Cahoon and his team responded to an RFP from a middlemarket frozen food processing company, identifying more than 25 areas where the company improve coverage and reduce costs to create a more seamless insurance program. Through the years, Cahoon has shared his knowledge and expertise via speaking engagements with a variety of associations, including Food Northwest and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. He also helps lead USI Northwest’s private equity solutions team.

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26/10/2018 6:03:57 AM