Board of Directors
President
Nanci L. Smilie
Erie Insurance Group
Nanci is a litigation specialist for Erie Insurance, with over 24 years of experience as a large loss property and multi-line adjuster. Nanci's experience includes managing large and complex residential as well as commercial property losses in the Chicago area. She has been at Erie Insurance since 2004, and prior to that was a multi-line adjuster for GAB Robins North America. Nanci holds both the CPCU and AIC designations. She serves on the executive board of several industry related organizations. She graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Fine Art.
Immediate Past President
Brad Gronke
Bulkmatic
Dr. Brad Gronke (he/him) is highly sought after in the field of learning and development, helping people become their best selves. Dr. Brad has more than twenty-five years in business, insurance, and leadership roles. This leader is a keynote speaker, consultant, and coach, who goes above and beyond. He has had many experiences including roles across several insurance lines with a focus on workers' compensation for insurance carriers, third party adminstrators, and in risk management for employers. Dr. Brad was also an emergency medical provider for more than twenty years and a peace officer for more than ten years. Dr. Brad has earned the professional designations of CPCU, AIC, AIS, AIM, CCP, ACP, CLMP, and SCLA. He has also earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership, Master of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior with graduate certificates in Change Management and Strategic Management, Master of Science in Social Justice, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He earned a post graduate certificate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. He currently is CEO of Ignite P3, helping to prepare people for what is possible after most recently serving as an educator for a Fortune 500 organization, and as a faculty member for a University in Illinois. Dr. Brad helps organizations today by offering Inclusive Leadership Keynotes, Workers' Compensation Claims Strategies, as well as Learning and Development Consultations. Dr. Brad has served on many inclusion committees in his career as well as national and local nonprofit leadership positions. He currently makes a global impact as a member of the Leadership Council for the CPCU Society and the Executive Council for CLM Claims College. Connect with Dr. Brad #drbradspeaks on LinkedIn or at IgniteP3 The C.A.Re. Model: Compassion, Advocacy, Recovery - Futureproofiing Organizations Dr. Brad's views are his own and do not reflect those of his clients.
Treasurer
Jennifer L Simpson Conway
Tokio Marine Specialty Insurance Company
Jennifer serves as an experienced underwriting professional with expertise in the areas of umbrella and excess coverage. She has earned a CPCU and MBA. She applies her experience in strategy development, form development, underwriting, auditing, training, data and financial analysis, project management, as well as agency management through her professional activities. Jennifer has demonstrated a proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary projects and deliver results in a timely manner. She is committed to teamwork and continuous improvement.
Director
Randy Hermann
Chubb
Randy is celebrating his twentieth year in workers’ compensation claims. He obtained his CPCU designation in 2020. Randy currently is employed with CNA as a Third Party Administrator (TPA) Oversight Adjuster for excess and high deductible claims. He recently moved back to the Midwest in 2017 to be closer to family. Randy has two young daughters. He is very excited to be back in the Midwest and growing relationships within the CPCU Society.
