SUNUP Insurance Services Executive Announcement

BERMUDA RUN, N.C., June 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Westerman CLU, ChFC, a 35-year leader in the insurance industry, has joined SUNUP Insurance Services as President and Chief Operating Officer. In this role Jim will work closely with the SUNUP team to expand the distribution footprint across the U.S. market through the recruitment and appointment of Agents, Agency Developers and Regional Presidents. Jim will also be responsible for creating and executing new strategies designed to help accelerate the profitable growth of the organization.

Jim recently retired from the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies after 35 years of service. He brings a wealth of insurance and financial services experience to SUNUP having held 18 different positions at Farmers beginning in Personal Lines Underwriting in 1983. The majority of his career was Sales, Marketing and Distribution focused. Westerman was the State Executive Director for Oklahoma, SVP Sales in Home Office, and SVP Field Operations for the Eastern Zone and then the Pacific Zone before taking on the role of Head of Commercial Sales. His leadership experience in Sales, Marketing and Distribution will be a tremendous asset to SUNUP.

Throughout his career Westerman has earned the reputation of being a team-oriented, creative and innovative sales leader that understands the importance of building relationships with the front line. He attracts top talent and helps develop professionals to perform at peak levels while preparing them for positions of greater responsibility. He has also been called on to enhance operating efficiency, address profitability challenges, drive agent engagement and increase market share in low penetration states. Jim has a track record of delivering strong results. 

"I am extremely excited to join SUNUP, a company that is creating a culture that puts the agents first, recognizing that sales are the lifeblood of any organization. I value the relationships I have built with many agents and field leaders during my time in the industry and look forward to working with the SUNUP team to help our agents take advantage of our unique platform of products, services and support to achieve their personal and professional goals," said Westerman.

"We are excited to have Jim as a key member of our executive team. We have a broad vision for SUNUP as it relates to growth and most importantly providing an environment that will allow agents to be successful personally and professionally. Jim is a proven leader in creating environments for agent success, and SUNUP will rely on Jim to provide his invaluable expertise on how to grow our company with the best talent there is," said SUNUP CEO Todd Swicegood.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., and raised in Prairie Village, Kan., Jim is a graduate of the University of Kansas and holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He also earned the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College.

Jim and his wife Karla currently reside in Simi Valley, Calif., but will be relocating to Greenville, S.C. Their daughter Julia just completed her freshman year at The University of Alabama and will be returning to Tuscaloosa in the fall.

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SOURCE SUNUP Insurance Services Inc.