Incorporated in 1981, Brennan & Stuart, Inc. began as most family businesses do, with extraordinary determination, dedication, and commitment to professionalism. From its inception in 1956, the vision of one man has developed into a staff of 24, highly educated, insurance professionals. We support our people by being highly automated and provide them an array of the latest equipment and industry software. The company is currently under the guidance of Mark V. Stuart, CIC, CWCU as President. Mark has been associated with Brennan & Stuart since 1978 and, in addition to his management duties, Mark maintains a large book of commercial lines business. Active board members include Jerry E. Stuart, Mary Jeanne Stuart, and Jennifer Stuart, CIC. Jerry E. Stuart, CEO and Chairman, licensed and active since 1963, maintains the agency/company relationships and assists the commercial lines sales staff with risk placement. Mary Jeanne Stuart, affiliated with the company since 1969, handles the comptroller responsibilities. Vice President Robert Hueneburg, CIC, has developed commercial lines business for the agency since 1986. Jennifer Stuart, CIC, Corporate Secretary, has been coordinating the agency’s marketing activities since 2001. The mid-management team oversees the daily operations of BSI’s employee, accounting and automation functions. Since 1996, Nancy J. Fusinetti, CIC, has been the agency’s liaison for daily employee and management issues. Lynn Ewing, who has been with the agency since 1988, controls all daily accounting functions as the Accounting Manager. Lynn Zellmer, Electronic Data Processing Manager, maintains the agency’s automation needs. Since 1985 Lynn has continually developed and expanded BSI’s highly automated environment using an integrated agency management system, Applied Systems, and additional software programs, in addition to utilizing system fax and scanning options and internet access as a mode of client and company communication. Back to top Our sales staff was increased in 2007 with the addition of Chris Kozlowski and Tim Albrecht who are responsible for developing new business opportunities for mid-sized accounts in the Chicago suburbs. Both Chris and Tim have attained their Certified Workers Compensation Underwriters (CWCU) designation and are working toward their CRM. Mark Schneider, who has been with agency since 2004, is also responsible for developing new business opportunities for mid-sized accounts as well as maintaining a commercial book of business. Mark successfully attained his CIC designation in 2006 and CWCU designation in 2007. In addition to Mark, Bob Hueneburg, Vice-President, is responsible for handling a commercial book of business. The Employee Benefits division, along with our specialized staff, continue to offer fully insured and self-funded health and dental packages, as well as business life insurance programs, pensions and “cafeteria” plans to a large range of clients. Tim Edstrom joined the agency in 2006 as an independent contractor and handles a seeded book of business and is also responsible for developing new business opportunities. Debbie Michael, who has been working with the agency since 1993, is the department’s Account Executive. Licensed personnel Kaye Hurless and Amy Kiphart have provided client assistance, since 1997 and 2001, respectively. Dave Maciejewski just recently joined the Employee Benefits Division and brings a vast amount of experience from his numerous years in the industry. Additional online client services are also provided via our website. Back to top The Personal Lines Division has been designed to provide the broadest forms of auto, home, and related products to individuals and families. It is highly automated and provides our clients direct online access to our contracted carriers. Account Manager Amy Keesee, who has been with the agency since 2000, is responsible for all sales and servicing issues. Providing back-office support is Christy Kupec who rejoined the agency in 2006. Back to top James Vaughn, Jr., has been with the agency since 1996. As manager of the Financial Services Department, he is responsible for all individual life, health and disability sales. Mr. Vaughn, a Certified Retirement Plan Specialist, also provides retirement solutions to individuals and group clients using variable annuity, mutual fund and other interest sensitive products. Back to top Debbie Podobinski, employed since 1989, handles administrative duties and responds to Certificate of Insurance requests. Certificates of Insurance can also be attained online via our website www.brennanstuart.com.
The office is open from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and other times by appointment.Back to top
Our History
Continued perpetuation has placed Mark V. Stuart, CIC, CWCU at the helm of our business. Under his guidance, our professional staff continues to retain an enviable reputation throughout the Midwest. Mark’s philosophy of “empowering all members of BSI’s staff” provides quick and authoritative responses to our client’s request for service and product.
The agency provides all lines of insurance products, including risk management, through four primary divisions: Commercial Lines, Employee Benefits, Personal Lines, and Financial Services. There is a strong focus on Workers Compensation insurance, Crane & Rigging and associated risks, Contractors, Towers, Manufacturing and Trucking. The agency focus is on the mid-sized account market and is an excellent alternative for the middle and lower-middle market clientele that is frequently given less attention by the large multi-national brokerage firms.
Our goal is to build a long-term relationship with our clients by taking a consultative approach to insurance. Our prospects develop into clients because we take the time to understand their business or individual needs and goals. We then tailor a cost-effective, many times innovative, insurance program through one or more of our companies. Being a continued resource for insurance and related topics, such as OSHA, COBRA and Safety manuals, solidifies the relationship between agency and client.
All of this could not continue without a strong commitment to our insurance carriers. We do not bid insurance and require our prospects to provide us with a strong commitment before marketing their account. We maintain an extensive “Markets by Class” manual so we submit only those risks that meet a carrier’s appetite. Premium Loss Comparisons are provided on most accounts and an informative cover letter allows underwriters a quick overview of the risk and pricing requirements.
Brennan & Stuart, Inc. is currently doing business in twenty-four states and is contracted with thirty leading companies and MGAs. The agency attained the distinction of being named a “Best Practices” agency in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and was invited by Central Mutual Insurance to join the President’s Circle in 2006. In addition, Jerry Stuart, CEO, sits on a number of company/agency advisory committees. Back to top
Although the company stock remains family controlled, a team of corporate and mid-management professionals handles the daily business decisions and growth projections. Back to top
Production Teams were developed to provide strong internal support to the sales staff and quick, professional, response to company and/or client requests. Michelle R. Luna, CIC, is the Account Executive to Mark Stuart; Donna VanOstran is teamed as Account Executive with Bob Hueneburg and Mark Schneider; and Carol Liss handles Account Executive duties for outside independent contractors. In addition, Carol also services our existing book of Special Account clients. Joyce Anderson provides additional technical support to the department. All are designated Certified Insurance Service Representatives and have been with the agency an average of 15 years. Back to top
