Insurance
10 insurance agency distribution experts
These ten insurance leaders have held agency and agent distribution roles at insurance carriers, working with the agencies and agents who sell their products. A reader can learn how carriers organize and manage distribution through agencies and agents.
Professionals to explore
01—10Angela Whitcher
LinkedInExperience: VP, Agency Distribution Experience · Lincoln Financial
VP, Agency Distribution Experience at Lincoln Financial since September 2021. The profile says the person provides strategic leadership for the agency distribution experience, focusing on agent engagement. It also lists Assistant Vice President at Lincoln Financial (2008–2021).
Chris Markey
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Allstate Independent Agencies Sales and Operations · Allstate
Former Vice President Allstate Independent Agencies Sales and Operations at Allstate (2017–2020). The profile says this person led sales and operations for independent agencies countrywide to drive profitable growth. It also lists Regional Sales Leader (2012–2017) and Territory Sales Leader (1998–2011) roles at Allstate.
David Hodge
LinkedInExperience: VP, Direct and Independent Agency Sales Operations · CSAA Insurance Group
Former VP, Direct and Independent Agency Sales Operations at CSAA Insurance Group (2020–2024), and SVP Product Distribution & Partner Club Strategy there since March 2026. The profile also lists SVP Eastern State Product and Club Distribution at CSAA Insurance Group (2023–2026) and VP of Insurance Operations at AAA Western and Central New York (2017–2020).
DeAnna Kerrick
LinkedInExperience: National Agency Management Leader, Distribution · Liberty Mutual Insurance
Former National Agency Management Leader, Distribution at Liberty Mutual Insurance (2015–2019) and former West Zone Leader & National Strategy, Distribution there (2019–2023). Vice President, Agency Experience at Liberty Mutual Insurance since August 2023. The profile also lists AVP, Underwriting Operations (2012–2015) and AVP, Marketing (2007–2012) at Safeco Insurance.
Mark Cole
LinkedInExperience: Head of Independent Agent Distribution · Root Inc.
Head of Independent Agent Distribution at Root Inc. since March 2026. The profile also lists Personal Lines Sales Executive Private Client at Brown & Brown (2025–2026), Executive Vice President of Sales at Slide (2022–2024), VP Sales at Heritage Insurance (2018–2022) and Director of Sales- East Region at Access (2006–2018).
Mark Madgett
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President- Head of Agency Distribution · New York Life
Executive Vice President- Head of Agency Distribution at New York Life since May 2019, and also SVP- Head of Agency there since January 2016. The profile also lists Senior Vice President, Agency (2014–2015), Managing Partner (1998–2014) and Senior Partner (1995–1998) at New York Life.
Ralph LaSpina
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Head of Distribution and Agency Strategy · Utica National Insurance Group
Vice President, Head of Distribution and Agency Strategy at Utica National Insurance Group since July 2025. The profile also lists VP, Head of Corporate Marketing and Customer Engagement (2025), Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer and Director of Field Operations (2018–2019) and Director of Regional Field Operations (2016–2018) at Utica National Insurance Group.
Shannon Smith
LinkedInExperience: EVP-Chief Agencies Officer · American National
EVP-Chief Agencies Officer at American National since January 2008, the only role shown in the listing for this person. The profile says the role involves leading and driving results in distribution, such as recruiting and development of agencies, and providing guidance to 45 states.
Steve Brown
LinkedInExperience: Head of Agencies · Farmers Insurance
Former Head of Agencies at Farmers Insurance (2013–2016), and SVP Head of Field Operations (sales and distribution) for California Zone at Farmers Insurance since October 2016. The profile describes the person as head of exclusive agent distribution, and also lists Head of Territory - Ohio (2013) and State Executive Director (2011–2013) at Farmers Insurance.
Tyler Asher
LinkedInExperience: President, Independent Agent Distribution · Liberty Mutual Insurance
Former President, Independent Agent Distribution at Liberty Mutual Insurance (2018–2023), and EVP, Chief Distribution & Marketing Officer there since September 2023. The profile also lists President, Safeco Insurance (2017–2023) and Vice President, Agency Insights at Safeco Insurance (2012–2017), and describes the person as a champion for independent insurance agents.
Choose the right perspective
Match the distribution model to yours, since running a captive or exclusive agent force differs from working with independent agencies. Also consider whether your question is about recruiting and growing agencies or about the operations and experience that support existing agents, and pick someone whose roles centered on that side.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you decide which agencies to appoint and how many to work with in each market?
- 02Which measures did you use to judge agency performance and the quality of the business they wrote?
- 03How did you support agents with tools, service and incentives without eroding margins?
Reaching insurance agency distribution experts
How can I contact one of these insurance agency distribution experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Lincoln Financial, Allstate and CSAA Insurance Group, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach insurance agency distribution experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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