The strength of any organization is only as good as the diverse talent brought to it by its people.
Davidson-Babcock, Inc. has combined the experiences of seasoned agency owners, small business entrepreneurs, national and regional standard lines, company senior management, niche program development and management and is supported by dedicated and experienced technical staff at all levels of the organization.
The following sets forth certain biographical information about key
members of Davidson-Babcock, Inc.
Kevin Kowar, President
Kevin began his career as an underwriter with Hartford Insurance after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1978 with a BBA in Finance. Over the next 8 years he rose to Underwriting Manager. He then joined Peerless/Indiana Insurance and was VP of Personal Lines Underwriting for Peerless. He then gained additional field experience as the Regional VP in Milwaukee and Chicago for Indiana Insurance and as Regional President for Main Street America Group’s Richmond Regional Office for all lines of business. Kevin joined Davidson-Babcock in January 2011 as General Manager in the Richmond branch. Kevin has attained the Associate in Underwriting (AU) designation and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. He is currently completing his Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriting (CPCU) designation.
Tina Wolff, Vice President Underwriting Manager
Tina joined Davidson-Babcock with 20 plus years of experience in the insurance industry. Throughout her career, Tina has progressed to positions of increasing management responsibility in underwriting, sales, marketing, operations and product development. Tina started her career working for an agency in Wichita, KS then moved to Kansas City joining Lockton Companies and was an AVP in Risk Management. Tina moved to the company side spending 10 years with Swiss Re, formerly GE Insurance Solutions as a Vice President Program Manager. Prior to joining Davidson-Babcock Tina held the position of VP Underwriting Director with Swett & Crawford. She Graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in management, has attained the CPCU, ARM and AU designations. She is Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
Underwriting - Kansas
Kimberly S. Despard, Underwriter
Kim joined Davidson-Babcock in 1997 as an underwriting assistant and worked her way into an underwriting position. Kim handles both binding authority and brokerage business and has developed a good understanding of the underwriting role.
Sarah Firestone, Commercial Underwriter
Sarah began her insurance career as a receptionist for her father's MGA in
Farmington Hills, Michigan. She later moved into an accounting role at her
sister's MGA in Williamsburg, Virginia. She joined Davidson-Babcock in 2004 as
an underwriting assistant and worked her way into an underwriting position.
Sarah handles binding authorities and brokerage accounts for all lines of
business.
Omaha Branch Office
Bill McClelland, Commercial Underwriter, Omaha, NE
Bill started his career with the Gulf Insurance Company as an underwriter and has had experience with national and regional insurance companies as well as Managing General Agencies. He has recently worked for Empire Fire and Marine as an underwriter and brings much talent to the underwriting position at Davidson-Babcock. Bill is a graduate of North Texas University and has obtained the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation as well as the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.
Phoenix Office
Cheryl Bishop, Underwriter
Cheryl Bishop joined Davidson-Babcock in 1998 as an underwriting assistant for the Home Medical Equipment Dealers Program.
She was promoted to underwriter of the program in 2000. In addition to the Home Medical Equipment Dealers Program, Cheryl
now handles a variety of medical related programs. Cheryl has obtained the CISR designation.
Richmond Office
Kevin Kowar, President
Linda Schools, Underwriter
Linda Schools joined Davidson-Babcock in 2011 as an underwriter. She brings a broad background in the industry from working as a retail agent, company underwriter and as an
MGA. Linda comes to us as multi-line underwriter with transportation being her lead line.