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VIAA 2023 Annual Convention

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VIAA 2023 Annual Convention

Collins.jpgCLASS INSTRUCTOR

John Collins, AINS, AIC

Senior Claim Supervisor
Vermont Mutual Insurance Group®

John Collins (AINS AIC) has worked in claims for 30 years, and served in all levels of the Vermont Claims Association including several terms as President.  He has worked as an adjuster, general adjuster, and currently is a senior claim supervisor for Vermont Mutual.  John has presented classes on many topics over the years and uses compelling real-world examples of claims to make the lessons compelling and memorable.

Collins.jpg SPECIAL GUEST

Todd Jackson, CIC

Big I Vice Chair
McGowan Insurance Group (Indianapolis

Todd Jackson, CIC, is owner and partner at McGowan Insurance Group in Indianapolis, which has locations throughout Indiana. Jackson was installed as Big “I” vice chair in September 2022. 

Jackson began his insurance career in 1989. He has served on the Big I Indiana Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including as president of the state association in 2013. In 2016, Jackson was recognized by Big I Indiana with the Harry P. Cooper Industry Public Image award. Jackson represented Indiana on the national Big “I” Board of Directors for four years, where he also served on the Trusted Choice® board. He was elected to the Executive Committee in 2018. 

Jackson has also served on the National Board of Governors of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) in Austin, Texas, and as the president of the Brownsburg Education Foundation. He is currently a member of Board of Directors for the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries (WFII). 
Jackson graduated from Indiana University with Bachelor of Science degrees in business and in marketing. He resides in Brownsburg, Indiana, with his wife Theresa. 


Collins.jpg SPECIAL GUEST

Commissioner Kevin J. Gaffney

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation

In July 2022, Kevin Gaffney was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation by Governor Phil Scott. He had been serving as Interim Commissioner since May when former Commissioner Michael Pieciak announced his intention to leave the Department and run for State Treasurer.

In March 2019, Mr. Gaffney was named DFR Deputy Commissioner of Insurance. Prior to that for more than 12 years, he served as Director in the Insurance Division Rates & Forms section where he was responsible for rate-and-form analysis, oversight of marketplace competition, and leadership of the Rate & Form Analysis Team. Other positions held include Director of Producer & Individual Licensing and Director of Market Regulation. Commissioner Gaffney possesses technical expertise on various insurance issues; he has assisted in the development of departmental positions and contributed bill analysis and testimony during the legislative session. He was a key participant in several legislative summer studies conducted by DFR, including the “Credit for Personal Insurance” and “Workers’ Compensation Insurance” studies, and he serves on the Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Logger Safety Task Force.

Prior to joining the State of Vermont, Commissioner Gaffney acquired 23 years of industry experience working in marketing, underwriting, and product management positions in Connecticut and Vermont. He began his insurance career in Connecticut as a multi-line (P&C, L&H) insurance agent. A graduate of John Jay College and lifelong New Englander, Mr. Gaffney is a native of Connecticut and has lived in Vermont since 1994. He and his wife Veronica have three children and five grandchildren.