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LIC Annual Conference

Unlocking Potential: Research-Fueled Decision Making

2/5/2025 EDT - 2/7/2025 EDT
Hyatt Regency Clearwater, Florida

Overview

Who Attends

Senior management from small-to-midsize life insurance companies.

Highlights

The theme of the 2025 LIC Annual Conference is Unlocking Potential: Research-Fueled Decision Making. Data-driven decision-making is paramount in creating company strategy and everyday management of operations. From long-term planning to real-time customer experience decisions, if your organization doesn't have a culture of business intelligence, your ability to compete and respond to market pressures will be diminished.

During this conference, you will hear from top subject matter experts who will help you understand the importance of a business intelligence culture and how to build it; research design and methodology; the impact and promise of artificial intelligence and "GenAI" on research and data analysis; plus, summaries of the latest research from LIC and LIMRA/LOMA.

After attending the LIC Annual Conference, you should be refreshed, excited, and equipped with new tools to help make 2025 your best year ever. Unlock YOUR potential!

Habitat for Humanity Community Engagement DriveItinerary

The 2025 LIC Annual Conference begins Wednesday February 5 with Opening Networking Reception 6-7 pm and dinner on your own. Thursday February 6 is a full day with meeting sessions and the Annual LIC Membership Banquet. The conference concludes by noon on Friday February 7.

Insurance company CEOs and presidents: Plan to come early for the LIC Winter CEO Forum, starting at 8 am on Tuesday February 4. See www.loma.org/LICCEO for more information.

Registrants (as of January 28):

1891 Financial Life - Lisa Bickus, CEO
AAM - John Schaefer, CEO
Agenium - Tim Dineen, Sr VP
Ambient Array - Jed Jones, CEO & Chief Data Scientist
American Fraternal Alliance - Allison Koppel, CEO
American Savings Life - Byron Allen, President/CEO
American Savings Life - John Shirts, Chief Financial Officer
American Savings Life - Paul Whetten, EVP/COO
Americo Life Inc - Tim Stonehocker, President and CEO
APT Partners LLC - Youyou Tao, Founder and Managing Partner
Atidot - Jane Vevea, Global Sales and Partnerships
Balanced Growth Consulting - Jason Bordui, President & Founder
Benekiva - Brent Williams, Founder & CEO
Benekiva - James Preston, Sr. National Account Executive
BetterLife - Chris Campbell, CEO
Catholic Order of Foresters - Greg Temple, President and CEO
Clareto, A Munich Re company - Chad Gracey, Head of Business Development
Clearpoint Advisors LLC - Eric Rader, President
Converge Re - Erin Anders, Head of Business Development
CSA Fraternal Life - John Kielczewski, President / CEO
Cyrus Life - Bobby Pierce, Executive VP of Sales & Marketing
Cyrus Life - Chris Meredith, Chief Operations Officer, Cyrus Works
Emtech Group - Jeff Koval, Senior Sales Executive
Emtech Group - Rob Secontine, Vice President of Sales
Emtech Group, Inc. - Ted Mackenzie, Senior Sales Executive
Epoq - Clifford Cohen, Business Development Director
Equisoft - Michael Zelesnik, Vice President, Insurance Solutions
Equisoft - Brian Simpson, Vice-President, Insurance Solutions
Equisoft - Tom Organ, Vice-President, Insurance Solutions, UCT
First Consulting - Sean Cox, President
Friedland Consulting Services - Bruce Friedland, Principal
Front Street Re - Edison Fong, CEO
Gallagher Re - Andrew Edelsberg, SVP, Business Development - Life Solutions
GBU Financial Life - Jennifer Stockdale, AVP Marketing and Community Engagement
GBU Financial Life - Lesley Mann, Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer
Heritage Life - Michelle Casaus, AVP of Operations
Heritage Life - Pete McPherson, Senior Vice President
Hexure - Ryan McMurray, VP, Strategic Accounts
Homesteaders Life - Tom Holland II, Vice President
Homesteaders Life - Steve Shaffer, CEO
iCover - Rana Jchaj, Customer Acquisition Specialist
iCover - Hari Srinivasan, Founder and CEO
illustrate inc - Lyndon Edwards, President
INSTANDA - Will Wood, VP of Life and Health
InsurTech NY - Tony Lew, Managing Director
Investors Life - Chip Gillis, CEO/President
iPipeline - Christian Cooper, Director, Sales
iPipeline - Andy Stengel, Account Executive, Sales
Jacobson - Jack Walsh, Managing Director
KSKJ Life - Tony Mravle, President & CEO
Larson & Company - Diane Nesbit, Audit Partner
Larson & Company - Rick Van Valkenburgh, Tax Partner
Liberty Bankers Insurance Group - Eric Johansson, EVP and Chief Operating Officer
LIC - Dean Lambert, Executive Director
LIC - Audrey Wittenburg, Director of Operations
LIMRA and LOMA - John Carroll, Senior Vice President and Head of Insurance and Annuities - U.S. and Canada
LIMRA and LOMA - Kartik Sakthivel, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
LIMRA and LOMA - Bryan Hodgens, Corporate VP
LIMRA and LOMA - Chris Atkins, Member Solutions Director
LIMRA and LOMA - David Levenson, President and CEO
LIMRA and LOMA - John Carroll, Senior Vice President and Head of Insurance and Annuities - U.S. and Canada
LIMRA and LOMA - Kartik Sakthivel, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
LIMRA and LOMA - Miguel Rodrigues, Member Solutions Director
ManageMy - Stuart Johnston, Head of North America
ManageMy - Steve Gaertner, EVP, North America
MIB Group, Inc. - Brian Millman, Vice President
Milliman - David Bahlinger, Research Director
Milliman - Robert Eaton, Principal and Consulting Actuary
Navy Mutual - Brian Luther, President & CEO
New England Asset Management - Bob Rotanz, New Business Development Professional
Olson Zaltman - James Forr, Head of Insights
OneKonnect - David Cohen, Co-Head of Global Engagement
OneKonnect - Yuval Sternshos, Co-Head of Global Engagement
Optimity - Jane Wang, CEO & Cofounder
Optimum Life Re - Shamika Jones, AVP, Client Services
Optimum Re - Jan Erik Warneryd, Chief Investment Officer
Optimum Re - Mark McDonnell, Senior Portfolio Manager
Paperclip Inc. - Suzy Tuck, Vice President of Sales
Parkway Advisors - Theron Holladay, President & CEO
Parkway Advisors - Kyle Timmermann, VP of Business Development
Professional Insurance Corporation Zambia Plc - Moses Siame, Chief Executive Officer
Puritan Life - Dierdre Woodruff, Sr. Vice President
Puritan Life - Heather Miller, Vice President - Operations
Puritan Life - Lindsay Beam, Canvas Director
Puritan Life - Meg Duty, Sr Vice President
QLAdmin Solutions - Kat Correa, Chief Marketing Officer
QLAdmin Solutions - Greg Garza, CTO
RGA - Chris Murumets, SVP, Strategic Growth, Americas
Royal Neighbors - Matt Stoefen, Director Customer Support and Claims
SCOR - Brian Barnes, Vice President Partnership Development
Security National Life - Marty Rich, VP Marketing & Sales Operations
Slovene National Benefit Society - Joe Evanish, CEO
Solvrays - Bobbie Shrivastav, Co-Founder, CEO
State Farm - Emily Snow, Sr. Manager, L/H/IPS Agile
State Farm - Michelle Scharff, Sr. Manager
Sureify - Bryan Padgette, Chief Business Development Officer
SWBC Life Insurance Co. - Joan Cleveland, President & Chief Executive Officer
TAI - Brian Traxler, SVP, Business Development and Client Experience
Teachers Life - Kayte Fredrickson, President & CEO
Toronto Police Widows and Orphans Fund - Sylvi Karr, CEO and President
TruStage - Fernand LeBlanc, President, Preplanning Solutions
UnderwriteMe - Scott Hunt, AVP, Client Experience
United Benefits - Gary Cox, Chief Operating Officer
UTUIA - Ken Laugel, President/ CEO

Speakers

James Forr
Head of Insights, Olson Zaltman

James Forr

Head of Insights, Olson Zaltman

James Forr is Head of Insights at Olson Zaltman. In addition to leading ground-breaking in-depth research into perceptions of the funeral industry a decade ago, James has consulted for Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, PepsiCo, Pfizer, P&G, and CVS Health. He also has lectured at universities around the country, including the Wharton School, Georgetown University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Boston University.

Bryan Hodgens, AIF
Senior Vice President, Head of Research, LIMRA and LOMA

Bryan Hodgens, AIF

Senior Vice President, Head of Research, LIMRA and LOMA

Bryan Hodgens is Senior Vice President and Head of Research for LIMRA and LOMA. In this capacity, he develops and executes the research strategy for both the distribution and retirement research programs, focused on providing insights and best practices to address the current and emerging business challenges facing LIMRA members.

Hodgens joined LIMRA in 2022 with more than 25 years of executive experience at companies such as AIG, Wells Fargo Advisors and Asset Growth Partners. Most recently, he was senior vice president and head of LPL Financials’ Retirement Plans and Financial Planning Group.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Emory University in Atlanta Georgia.

Jed Jones, PhD
Founder and Chief Data Scientist, Ambient Array

Jed Jones, PhD

Founder and Chief Data Scientist, Ambient Array

As the founder and chief data scientist of the data-infused advertising agency Ambient Array, Jed brings to bear over 25 years of experience in transforming business data into actionable insights. With an MBA in marketing and a Ph.D. in Organizational Systems Inquiry, he combines deep technical expertise with a nuanced understanding of the impact of data and statistics on strategic decision-making. His career spans roles at Fortune 100 companies and successful entrepreneurial ventures.

Jed specializes in translating complex business metrics to profitable strategic recommendations. He has expertise in data cleansing, using inferential statistics, and building machine learning models. 

Tony Mravle
CEO, KSKJ Life

Tony Mravle

CEO, KSKJ Life

Tony Mravle has served as the President & CEO for KSKJ Life since 2018 after joining the organization in 2012. Specific to this presentation, KSKJ Life began utilizing AI in life insurance underwriting in 2021 as the first carrier partner of iCover for their e-app and underwriting solution, first with a Final Expense product but then expanding to traditional whole life and pending MYGA annuity. Tony has served on the Advisory Board of the LIC for a number of years and is grateful for the opportunity to serve as chair for 2024. 

Kartik Sakthivel, PhD, MS-IT/MS-CS, MBA, PGC-IQ
Vice President & Chief Information Officer and Regional CEO – Asia West , LIMRA and LOMA

Kartik Sakthivel, PhD, MS-IT/MS-CS, MBA, PGC-IQ

Vice President & Chief Information Officer and Regional CEO – Asia West , LIMRA and LOMA

As chief information officer for LIMRA and LOMA, Kartik Sakthivel is responsible for developing the information technology strategic direction for the enterprise. In this capacity, he directs and manages computing and information technology policies, programs and schedules for business and enterprise systems, and manages information services to meet LIMRA and LOMA’s corporate goals and objectives.

An industry thought leader, he champions the use of technology to improve the revenue, profitability, and efficiency of the organization. Joining LIMRA and LOMA in 2017, Sakthivel has broad industry experience, most recently as director of technology at Liberty Mutual Insurance.

He holds a doctorate in Computer and Information Sciences with a focus on AI and Information Quality from University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems/Information Technology, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Agenda

Preliminary Agenda
Session Details Subject To Change

Registration

Attendee Registration:
LIC Members: $1,800
LOMA/LIMRA Members: $2,000
Nonmembers: $2,400

Spouse Fee: $275 enables your spouse/significant other to attend the Receptions, Banquet, Breakfasts and Luncheon.

Earlybird Discount: Register by Friday, January 10, 2025, and save $200 off the rates listed above.

Attention Fraternals: Fraternal organizations that belong to the American Fraternal Alliance are eligible for a discount of $150 sponsored by the AFA, by using the code AFAMEMBER. (Discount may be used only once per person, for either the Annual Meeting or the CEO Forum.)

Group Discount for Insurance Companies/Fraternals: After the first two paid registrations, additional registrations are $500 off - use discount code GRP500.

Sponsor Registration: Sponsorships include one registration (two for Deluxe level). Here is the form to reserve a sponsorship for your company — upon receipt you'll be sent the Sponsor Registration Link and discount code.

Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations and refund requests must be received in writing - please submit your request to customer.service@limra.com. A full refund minus a $75 processing fee, is available until January 15, 2025. Cancellations received after January 15, 2025 but before January 29, 2025 will be charged a $375 (US) processing and administrative fee.  After January 29, 2025, there will be no refund. 

If the meeting is cancelled (not even held virtually), LIC will refund the total registration fee.  However, LIC will not be responsible for any travel, hotel, or other costs incurred. Registrants are responsible for canceling their travel reservations.

Register

Hotel / Venue

Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa

301 S Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater Beach, FL, USA, 33767

Hotel Reservations

LIC Group Block at the Hyatt Regency has sold out. Please book the best available rate at Hyatt Website or by calling (727) 373-1234.

Other hotels may be available nearby if needed. Here is a link to available accommodations in the area (powered by Stay22): Map

Itinerary: You'll want to book your room and flight for at least Wednesday February 5 to Friday February 7 for the Annual Conference. (Arrive by Monday February 3 if attending the CEO Forum.)

About the Resort

Feel at home on one of America’s top beaches. Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach is your residential-like escape just steps away from the Gulf coast and the famous Pier 60. Oversized rooms feature balcony views. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the 8th floor pool deck, unwind at Sandava Spa, or catch a fresh bite at the award-winning SHOR American Seafood Grill. Explore Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa by taking this virtual tour.

Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. Self parking is available for $18/night.

The resort is 18 miles, 33 minutes from Tampa International Airport (TPA), and 9.6 miles, 30 minutes from St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE).

 

Sponsors

Thank you to the following companies for their sponsorship support of the 2025 LIC Annual Conference! To become a sponsor or learn more about LIC sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact Audrey Wittenburg, awittenburg@loma.org.

2025 LIC Premier Elite Conference & Banquet Sponsors

2025 Elite Conference & Banquet Sponsors

2025 Contributing Sponsors

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