Principals

Thomas R. Kozera, CPCU, received his BBA from the College of Insurance. He started his career with the Insurance Company of North America, where he gained extensive experience in actuarials, bonds, claims and commercial underwriting. From there he moved to a major insurance brokerage where as a senior executive he handled all aspects of agency management as well as many national accounts. Using his insurance expertise, he has consulted with clients in many industries and has worked with the FSLIC on insurance matters relating to major bank failures. After more than 30 years in the business, Mr. Kozera is a respected resource and consults frequently with large real estate firms, law firms, bar associations and other prominent businesses.

Thomas M. Sternberg, CIC, began his career as an independent insurance agent after graduation from the University of Wisconsin. Over the next 30 years, he worked as an Account Executive and later became CEO of his own agency. His experience with systems and automation made him instrumental in the development of a computer system for the independent agent that is now in use nationwide. Mr. Sternberg has also created management tools and procedures that have been used as models by other independent agencies. Mr. Sternberg serves as a consultant to a number of agencies and insurance companies on issues concerning the industry. He is a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Westchester County and recipient of its coveted “Charlie” and “Frederick H. Dayton” awards. He has also served on a number of non-profit boards including the March of Dimes.

Richard S. Canter CPCU, AAI, began his career in the insurance business before graduating from Ithaca College School of Business Administration. He worked for the Improved Risk Mutual, a property reinsurer, and L.A. Lama Insurance Agency before his senior year. While attending Ithaca College's London program, he interned at C.E. Heath & Co. and Lloyd's of London. After graduating from Ithaca, he worked for the Hartford Insurance Group and Marsh & McLennan, Inc. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Mr. Canter has been a national speaker on agency automation and document imaging, served as Regional Vice President of NUAS, an industry automation group and as President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Westchester County. He is the recipient of the association’s prestigious community service Frederick H. Dayton Award. He has also served on various insurance company advisory councils and as an expert witness in insurance litigation.

Sheila M. Conley, AU, ARM, has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. After graduation from the University of Newfoundland, Mrs. Conley started her career with American Mutual Insurance Company where she acquired expertise in all areas of Commercial Insurance Rating and Underwriting. From there, Mrs. Conley moved on to a position in an independent agency where she gathered valuable knowledge of agency operations for her next position with the Hartford Insurance Group. Mrs. Conley responsible for a large commercial underwriting Department at the Hartford for over seven years. After a successful career with the Hartford, Mrs. Conley re-entered the agency side of the business and became Managing Vice President at a large regional Insurance Agency. Mrs. Conley has participated and chaired various insurance company advisory councils.

David Parker began his insurance career after graduating from the University of Maryland. For more than 25 years he has focused his career in the design, implementation and administration of Group Benefit Programs, Qualified and Non-Qualified Retirement Plans and Individual Products. In 1995, after working many years for an Employee Benefits Consulting firm that specialized in providing services within the Wall Street and financial sector of the market, Mr. Parker started The Parker Group, Inc. His success as a leading consultant within the industry, along with the firm's rapid growth, led him to merge with SKCG Group, Inc. 2007. As a Partner in SKCG Group, Inc., and the President of the Employee Benefits Division, his focus remains on management and consulting in the areas of Employee Benefit related services.