Yancy President of American Family Group; 16 promotions at HW Kaufman

Yancy named president of American Family Group

Telisa Yancy, president of American Family Insurance Direct, has been named president of the American Family Insurance group of companies. Yancy’s new role will start on January 1, 2023.

Yancy joined the organization as chief marketing officer in 2009, leading a major rebranding effort and later becoming vice president of marketing and then chief marketing officer. In 2019, Yancy was named chief operating officer and in 2021 she became president of the organization’s direct sales channels, which include insurance companies CONNECT, Homesite and The General.

Yancy has received a Silver EFFIE, Ebony Magazine Power 100, AdAge Woman to Watch, GlobalMindeED Inclusive Leader Award and multiple inclusions in Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Executives.

HW Kaufman Group promotes 16 associates across the United States

HW Kaufman Group, a private global insurance organization, announced promotions for 16 associates across the United States. These promotions follow the company’s annual Kaufman executive meeting.

Since the start of 2022, Kaufman, based in Farmington Hills, Mich., has hired 377 new associates. Sixteen insurance industry professionals across multiple offices were promoted in October.

Three of the most important promotions this year are:

• Kevin Heckman, who was promoted to executive corporate vice president, chief financial officer, HW Kaufman Group, from senior corporate vice president, chief financial officer
• Mark DeWaal, who was promoted to President of Afirm, from Executive Vice President of Afirm
• Manny Manuelidis, who was promoted to senior corporate vice president, Atain, from corporate vice president, claims and litigation, Atain.

Other promotions announced in October 2022 include:

• Sam Carson Promoted to Corporate Vice President, Operations, HW Kaufman Group, from Associate Corporate Vice President, Operations
• Jamie Bonner Promoted to Corporate Vice President, Talent Acquisition, HW Kaufman Group, from Corporate Associate Vice President, Talent Acquisition
• Drew Dean Promoted to Vice President, General Manager, Burns & Wilcox, Indiana, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Associate Vice President, General Manager
• Tracy Madigan Promoted to Corporate Associate Vice President, Talent Experience, HW Kaufman Group, Director, HR Systems and Measurement
• Shelby Zgnilec is promoted to Associate Vice President, Operations and Strategic Initiatives, HW Kaufman Group, Director, Operations and Strategic Initiatives
• William Briscoe promoted to Associate Vice President, Managing Director, Burns & Wilcox, Birmingham, Alabama and Oxford, Mississippi from Managing Director
• Jeff Ditmar Promoted to Associate Vice President, Claims, Atain, Senior Claims Manager
• Amy Felder Promoted to Associate Vice President, Claims, Atain to Director of Claims
• Derek Kilmer is promoted to Associate Managing Director, Burns & Wilcox, Michigan, from Director, Professional Liability
• Justin Pressly Promoted Associate Managing Director, Burns & Wilcox, North Carolina, From Director, Personal Insurance
• George Paull Promoted to Associate Managing Director, Burns & Wilcox Brokerage, Scottsdale, Arizona, Broker, Accidents
• Brandon Hunter promoted to associate general manager, Burns & Wilcox, Indianapolis, Indiana, from director, commercial insurance
• Jennifer MacKay is promoted to Senior Director, Digital Transformation, HW Kaufman Group, from Director, Digital Transformation