Crystal & Company Recognizes Colleagues Honored with Risk & Insurance “Power Broker Awards”

Business Wire

Six Insurance Advisors Awarded for Excellence in Risk Management & Client Service

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Crystal & Company, a leading insurance brokerage firm headquartered in New York City with 11 regional offices across the country, announces that six of the firm’s esteemed brokers have been recognized for the 2017 Risk & Insurance Power Broker Awards.

The renowned Power Broker Awards, bestowed by insurance industry publication Risk & Insurance, commend individuals who stand out among their peers in the areas of risk management and customer service. Risk & Insurance editors and reporters recognize brokers for their problem solving abilities, customer service standards and overall industry knowledge.

“It’s an honor to have six of our colleagues recognized for such a prestigious award,” said James W. Crystal, Chairman and CEO of Crystal & Company. “It is a true testament to their capabilities as risk professionals and as dedicated, creative brokers who are able to stand out in a highly competitive insurance industry.”

Crystal & Company brokers recognized on this year’s Power Broker list include:

Steven Kent, Managing Director, Private Client Services
Private Client Power Broker
Kent’s primary role is to maintain and support strategic referral partner relationships for the firm. He specializes in providing personal insurance solutions to affluent individuals, family offices, entrepreneurs and private collectors who are referred by those partners.

Barbara Ludwig, Managing Director, Employee Benefits Services
Employee Benefits Power Broker
Ludwig has over 25 years experience in group insurance on both the carrier and brokerage side of the industry. She leads the Northeast team, assisting national clients with employee benefit plan solutions while striving to ensure positive financial results and plan compliance.

Machelle McKenzie, Managing Director, Commercial Property & Casualty
Workers’ Compensation Power Broker
McKenzie has 33 years of experience in placing and servicing all lines of coverage for commercial clients, including non-profit, oil and gas, telecommunication, contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers/retailers, real estate, service vendors and trucking. She leads the firm’s commercial Property & Casualty team in the Texas Region.

Lou Timpanaro, Senior Managing Director, Aviation
Aviation and Aerospace Power Broker
Timpanaro leads the company’s aviation department, servicing the airline, general aviation and aerospace product lines for all of Crystal’s commercial and private clients worldwide. He is an active pilot who has more than 30 years of experience in the aviation insurance industry, both as an underwriter and a broker. This is his second consecutive Power Broker designation.

Cecille Feliciano, Managing Director, Employee Benefits Services
Employee Benefits Power Broker Finalist
Feliciano has 27 years experience in employee benefit operations, working with clients across all industries to provide customized solutions for their businesses and capital needs. She leads the West Coast team offering brokerage and consulting services in Group Benefits, Executive Benefits & Retirement Services and HR Operations support.

Jeffrey Breskin, Director, Casualty Claims & Risk Control
Workers’ Compensation Power Broker Finalist
Breskin specializes in delivering risk reduction and claims management services to the firm’s clients. His 30 years of experience have given him extensive knowledge on all aspects of workers’ compensation programs focused on risk management analysis, implementation of clinical assessments, strategic litigation and fraud.

About Crystal & Company

Crystal & Company is the home for talented insurance professionals: creative, committed to their clients and driven to deliver extraordinary results. The company drives the strategy and execution behind insurance and employee benefits programs for businesses that want to be smart about risk. Crystal & Company is the insurance brokerage of choice for leading financial institutions, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Headquartered in New York City, the firm has 11 regional offices throughout the United States and is an equity owner of Brokerslink, a global broking company with members in more than 95 countries around the world. Visit www.crystalco.com.