Cross Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Bangor, Maine, appointed vice presidents Michael J. McInnis, Sr. and Scott S. Colford as co-leaders of its newly formed Franchised Dealer Practice that will focus on the needs of new car and truck dealerships.
McInnis currently oversees and consults on a large number of dealership customers and several key commercial accounts in a variety of industries at Cross Insurance, which he has been affiliated with since early 2014. Since the start of his insurance career in 1972, McInnis has attained extensive experience working with franchised auto dealers.
Colford, who began his insurance brokerage career in 1983, has a diverse insurance background encompassing Securities, Property/Casualty, and Life & Health insurance products. In 1996, he founded and ran a benefits agency for over 15 years prior to being acquired by Cross Insurance in 2011. Colford’s client base includes large benefits accounts, including dealerships, manufacturers and insurance and financial services companies.
McInnis and Colford will work together in Cross Insurance’s Bangor office to better improve service and coordination among various employees working with these customers. Cross Insurance said it currently works in varying capacities with the majority of new car and truck dealerships throughout Maine.
Cross Insurance’s Franchised Dealer Practice will be rounded out by two other members of the practice’s team: Sue Ann Colford-Simpson and Melanie Campbell.
Colford-Simpson currently serves as senior account manager for Cross Insurance and has worked closely with dealerships customers for over 15 years.
Campbell currently serves as Cross Insurance vice president, Commercial Lines. She oversees a large number of producers who work closely with dealership customers. Campbell has been with the Cross organization for over 35 years.
Cross Insurance said its new Franchised Dealer Practice combines the agency’s previously separate Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits factions. The casualty component will — in addition to providing core property & garage coverage lines — assist in pollution, professional liability, cyber, and other emerging or increasing exposures. The benefits component will coordinate ancillary lines, worksite coverages, retirement programs, business continuity and perpetuation planning services.
“The establishment of our new Franchised Dealer Practice is designed to better assist the complex needs of our Dealer clients, and further shows our ongoing commitment to this industry,” said Royce Cross, president and CEO of Cross Insurance.
Founded in 1954, Cross Insurance, a subsidiary of Cross Financial Corp., is an independent insurance agency with nearly 800 employees operating out of offices in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida.
Topics Auto Leadership Maine
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