EPIC Adds Four to Orange County, Calif., Staff

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC), a retail property, casualty and benefits insurance brokerage firm, has expanded its Southern California presence, adding four people to its staff.

Toni Erickson, who has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, was appointed principal. Debbie Santistevan was hired as account executive, Jhoanna Fore as senior account manager and Susan Garganera as technical underwriter consultant.

Erickson’s responsibilities include developing programs to help employers meet their financial goals, maintaining programs that are competitive in the client’s marketplace and recruiting and retaining employees.

She began her career in the insurance industry in 1977 as a national marketing director of small group trust programs. In 1982, she transitioned into the broker/consulting arena, where she continues to work in the middle market benefits segment. She previously was a senior vice president of benefits at USI in Irvine, Calif.

Santisteven has more than 20 years of benefits industry experience. Her area of expertise includes the self-funded plan arena and the fully insured market. As an account executive, she will support clients in the management and implementation of claims resolution, claims administration and customer service. She will also assist management in building successful, long-term client-carrier relationships.

Fore holds a life insurance license and has more than 12 years of benefits insurance experience. Her responsibilities include managing and servicing existing accounts, assisting producers with developing new business, negotiating renewal rates and coordinating open enrollment meetings with carriers. She will also oversee and direct account team administrators.

Garganera brings more than 25 years of industry experience to her position. Her responsibilities include renewal projections, rate negotiations, marketing analysis, employer and employee contribution scenarios, funding alternatives and other benefits-related cost analysis and projections.

She previously held positions at John Hancock, Transamerica, Provident, CIGNA, USI of Southern California, Hays Companies, Marsh McLennan and William M. Mercer.