About Us
 
Our Mission

An innovative insurance wholesaler committed to the fastest, most effective program to facilitate the placement of all lines of insurance for our valued retail agents while maintaining adherence to our own carrier's core underwriting values in an ever-changing competitive and fast-paced environment."


Our History

Cowles and Connell Inc was established in 1892. The agency operates as a wholesale broker with access to more than 70 major insurance companies. We represent both admitted and non-admitted companies that grant us the ability to bind on their behalf, allowing us to provide you with superior service.

Larry Clark and Jo Ann Peri are the principal owners of the New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts offices. When they purchased the firm in 1997 it was a small regional based wholesaler, that has grown to a large and well respected firm with offices in key excess and surplus lines territories. In 2006 the firm opened a New Jersey office under the direction of Jon Hill, a principal in the office. The New Jersey operation has quickly become a viable wholesaler in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania market.

At Cowles and Connell we are a full service wholesaler offering quality and specifically tailored products to our retail customers. We can assist in writing the complex and difficult to place risk, or the small main street type account. We are innovative, professional, and design our operations to be responsive to our customers’ needs at all times. We strive to deliver the best products and facilities in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Recognizing and developing long-term relationships with our customers and our carriers has allowed us sustained and profitable growth over the past years. This coupled with our vast array of underwriting talent makes us a unique outlet for your surplus lines business. Choosing the right customers, meeting their needs not ours, and partnering with the most desired surplus lines companies has positioned us for tremendous growth for years to come.

We truly thank you for the business you have already placed with Cowles and Connell and we look forward to your continued support in the future.


Who We Are


Corporate Bios

Lawrence “Larry” Clark- President/Owner

Lawrence “Larry” Clark- President/Owner Purchased Cowles and Connell in 1997. Over 32 years of insurance experience on both the company side and wholesale side. Underwrites all lines of business including property and casualty, workers compensation, and transportation. Actively involved in organizations such as NAPSLO, AAMGA and the PIA. Larry is an avid golfer, and a fan of the NY Giants and NY Yankees.

Jo Ann Peri- President/Owner

Jo Ann Peri- President/Owner Purchased Cowles and Connell in 1997. Jo Ann has been in the insurance business for 22 years and underwrites and brokers all lines of business. She is extremely knowledgeable about the complex NY marketplace, and has served on the PIWA Board of Directors. Jo Ann is also a member of AAMGA and NAPSLO. With her free time Jo Ann enjoys playing golf, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Jon P. Hill- President/Owner

Jon P. Hill- President/Owner Jon has been in the insurance industry since 1988, working in the wholesale industry for 16 years. Jon opened the NJ office in 2006 from scratch after working for other large regional and national wholesalers. A generalist, Jon underwrites and brokers general liability, property, professional, automobile, commercial umbrella and excess, and develops and underwrites program business. In his free time Jon enjoys playing golf, spending time in Ocean City, NJ, and time with his wife and son.
Production Staff: Connecticut Office

Lawrence “Larry” Clark- President/Owner

Lawrence “Larry” Clark- President/Owner Purchased Cowles and Connell in 1997. Over 32 years of insurance experience on both the company side and wholesale side. Underwrites all lines of business including property and casualty, workers compensation, and transportation. Actively involved in organizations such as NAPSLO, AAMGA and the PIA. Larry is an avid golfer, and a fan of the NY Giants and NY Yankees.

John Buckley- Vice President Brokerage Division

John Buckley- Vice President Brokerage Division John has been in insurance for over 25 years and has spent the last 12 as a wholesaler. John specializes in larger accounts for property, liability, umbrella/excess, environmental, professional and workers compensation. John resides in West Hartford with his wife and two daughters and enjoys golf, skiing, and the Boston Red Sox.

Jeff Parmenter- Vice President of Binding Division

Jeff Parmenter- Vice President of Binding Division Jeff has 25 years experience in the excess and surplus lines industry. Prior to joining Cowles and Connell he worked for two large regional wholesalers. He has completed his CPCU, CIC and ARM designations. Jeff has been active in the Professional Insurance Agents Association for over 20 years and is past president of the Young Insurance Professionals of CT as well as the CT Professional Insurance Agents Association. He is currently serving on the Glenmont National Alliance Committee which oversees the CIC and CISR programs in CT, NY and NJ and a director on the PIA Services Board in Glenmont, NY.

Lisa Walicki- Senior Vice President

Lisa Walicki- Senior Vice President A veteran of over 20 years in the insurance industry, Lisa underwrites property, liability, professional, umbrella, workers compensation, and liquor liability. Lisa has become an expert in agency operations and is our “go to” person for administrative issues. In her spare time Lisa loves to read good books and to spend time with her family.

Paul Templeton- Vice President: Transportation Insurance

Paul Templeton- Vice President: Transportation Insurance With 20 years in the insurance industry, Paul underwrites and produces all lines of business for the agency. However, he specializes in automobile and trucking risks as well as garage related accounts. Paul possesses strong relationships with our transportation Markets and has the ability to place almost any account with wheels. Paul is involved with the PIA, past board member of the Young Insurance Professional, and in his spare time he is extremely active with many local charities.

Stan Hanelt- Account Executive

Stan Hanelt- Account Executive Stan has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years and has developed strong relationships with his retail customers. Stan underwrites all lines of business for Cowles and Connell including property, liability, umbrella/excess, environmental, professional and workers compensation. In his spare time Stan roots for the New England Patriots and is a collector of Civil War related items.

Deidre Barry- Account Executive

Jon P. Hill- President/Owner Deidre has been with Cowles and Connell since 2002. Deidre started as a policy typist but has gained the knowledge and experience to begin underwriting accounts for her retail customers. Her focus at present is underwriting general liability, property, liquor liability and workers compensation. Deidre loves the Philadelphia Eagles, and takes every opportunity to travel when she can.
Production Staff: New York Office

Jo Ann Peri- President/Owner

Jo Ann Peri- President/Owner Purchased Cowles and Connell in 1997. Jo Ann has been in the insurance business for 22 years and underwrites and brokers all lines of business. She is extremely knowledgeable about the complex NY marketplace, and has served on the PIWA Board of Directors. Jo Ann is also a member of AAMGA and NAPSLO. With her free time Jo Ann enjoys playing golf, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Antoinette Sacchi- Vice President Brokerage Division

Antoinette Sacchi- Assistant Vice president A veteran of over 25 years in the industry, Antoinette has been on the retail, carrier, and wholesale sides of our business. Well versed in the complex NY market, Antoinette specializes in NY contractors for primary liability and excess liability. She also underwrites and brokers all lines of coverage including property, professional, products driven accounts, and personal lines. In her spare time she enjoys weekend motorcycle rides with family and friends and loves to disco dance.

Deana Nelkin- Assistant Vice President

Deana Nelkin- Assistant Vice President Deana has been in the insurance industry for 22 years of which 16 has been as a wholesaler. Deana received her initial insurance training on the insurance company side before deciding to move on to the wholesale industry. Deana also holds the CIC Designation. She specializes in small to medium package accounts, as well as all the supporting lines of coverage. In her spare time Deana loves to scuba dive.

Lisa Muir- Account Executive

Lisa Muir- Account Manager Lisa has been in the insurance industry for over five years. Lisa is a true generalist underwriting and brokering property, general liability, workers compensation, and excess/umbrella accounts. Lisa has developed strong relationships with all of her retail agents and continues to grow her book of business by providing superior service. In her spare time Lisa enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.

Dorota Vyborna- Account Executive

Dorota Vyborna- Account Manager Dorota has been with Cowles and Connell since 2006. Dorota started as an underwriting assistant but has gained the knowledge and experience to begin underwriting accounts for her own retail customers. She handles mainly contract binding accounts. In her free time Dorota loves traveling, skiing and dancing.
Production Staff: New Jersey Office

Jon P. Hill- President/Owner

Jon P. Hill- President/Owner Jon has been in the insurance industry since 1988, working in the wholesale industry for 16 years. Jon opened the NJ office in 2006 from scratch after working for other large regional and national wholesalers. A generalist, Jon underwrites and brokers general liability, property, professional, automobile, commercial umbrella and excess, and develops and underwrites program business. In his free time Jon enjoys playing golf, spending time in Ocean City, NJ, and time with his wife and son.

Robert Finnegan- Assistant Vice President

Robert Finnegan- Assistant Vice President Bob has been in the insurance industry for over 23 years, initially working in underwriting for carriers before moving to the wholesale side. Bob is a veteran of the Northern NJ and NY regions, and can assist in placing general liability, property, professional, DIC, excess/umbrella, and environmental accounts. Bob is also well versed in the complex heavy construction marketplace. In his spare time Bob enjoys spending time with family, skiing, reading good books, and discussing politics.

Laura Tonelli- Account Executive

Laura Tonelli- Account Executive Laura has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years working on the carrier side, most recently as a Territory Manager for a local mutual company. She has extensive experience in underwriting all lines of business including property, casualty, and excess, with a strong emphasis on auto and trucking related accounts. In her spare time Laura likes to spend time with her husband and three kids, loves to read, and spend time in Wildwood Crest.
Production Staff: Massachusetts Office

Kelley Bourcier- Assistant Vice President

Kelley Bourcier- Assistant Vice President Kelley has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years and has been involved in all facets of the industry from operations to underwriting to managing. Kelley underwrites and brokers all lines of business including property, casualty, workers compensation and professional liability. Kelley is active in the Pioneer Valley Insurance Group as well as the M.A.I.A. In her spare time Kelley loves to travel, spend time with her family, and cheer on the Red Sox.

Kellie Pinette- Account Executive

Kellie Pinette- Account Executive With a diverse background, Kellie has been in the insurance industry for 24 years. Her prior experience ranges from compliance coordinator, to operations executive, to her current account executive position. Kellie underwrites and brokers all lines of business including property, liability, workers compensation, professional liability and umbrella/excess. Kellie is also active in the Pioneer Valley Insurance Group as well as the M.A.I.A. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family and friends, root for the Patriots, and shop.
Administration:

Robert Elsden, C.P.A.- Controller

Robert Elsden, C.P.A.- Controller Bob has been in the insurance industry for nearly 9 years, bringing extensive accounting experience to Cowles and Connell. Bob’s plays a key role in the organization and assists the various offices in all finance, accounting, licensing, and company related issues that may arise. Bob is a member of the Connecticut Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of CPA’s. In his spare time Bob is active in his church, plays lots of tennis and roots for the NY Yankees.

Carol Roy- Accounting Manager

Carol Roy- Accounting Manager With 27 years in the insurance industry, Carol brings a wealth of prior knowledge to our firm. Her prior experience includes nearly every facet of insurance company operations which is extremely helpful in the complex wholesale accounting world. Carol is responsible for directing all accounting personnel and is often in contact with our retail customers to help resolve accounting issues. In her free time Carol loves the outdoors, travels, and spends as much time as possible with her family.
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