FEATURES
COVER STORY: ELITE BROKERS
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CHRIS SIKORSKI
Senior vice president ARTHUR J GALLAGHER
A place on the Elite Broker list is becoming routine for Chris Sikorski. He was featured in the list in 2013, ’14 and ’15. Hired by Renfrew Insurance in 2002, Sikorski started in the personal lines division, and subsequently moved into commercial lines before ultimately becoming a SVP and partner at Arthur J Gallagher prior to the acquisition of Renfrew Insurance in 2015 - becoming the youngest producer to be promoted to such roles. Today, he specializes in the construction and real estate industries, and stays in tune with the needs of the sectors as a member of the Alberta Mechanical Contractors Association, Calgary Construction Association, Electrical Contractors’ Association of Alberta and the Canadian Homebuilders Association, Calgary region. Sikorski puts his success down to simple Networking. “The main strategy I utilize for growth is networking. I have worked hard to build my reputation within the areas I specialize in and try to leverage this along with my contacts to meet new and prospective clients,” he says.
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WAYNE LEGEAR
Senior vice president, account executive HUB INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS
You may recognize Wayne LeGear from last year’s Top 5 and, once again, he’s made it on the Elite Broker list. At HUB International, he serves as senior vice president and account executive, specializing in commercial and transportation insurance, and is responsible for HUB’s auto dealer program. LeGear first started his career as a partner at LeGear Pelling Insurance in 1982, before partnering with LakeView Insurance in 1991. Six years later, Lakeview Insurance joined HUB International Insurance Brokers, where LeGear continues to manage that office’s operations, as well as other HUB offices in the Greater Vancouver area. A HUB Sharp Award winner at the platinum level for eight consecutive years, LeGear is a “sales performance legend” within the organization. The secret to his success? He says: “The relationships you establish with clients and colleagues. There’s a lot of satisfaction from putting together a good program for a client, being there at claim time and over time becoming a trusted advisor and friend.”
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WENDY WILDEMAN
Senior account executive ROGERS INSURANCE
What started as a temporary job has turned into an over four-decade career for Wendy Wildeman – and it is clear that she made the right choice. Now a second-time Elite Broker, Wildeman today serves as senior account executive at Rogers Insurance, where she specializes in real estate and construction insurance. In an industry that is constantly evolving, the learning never stops for Wildeman. A “life-long learner” she acknowledges how she has been fortunate to work with some remarkable people throughout her career – both as associates and as mentors. Wildeman says that having the opportunity to work with a variety of people – from clients, co-workers, underwriters and more – has been the most rewarding aspect of her career. Her advice to brokers who are looking to grow their business: “Ask questions, learn all you can about your clients and their business so you can provide solid risk management solutions.”
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