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About Us
Service
The professionals here at Merit Insurance have spent years acquiring advanced education and experience in the insurance industry. And as a result of the positive workplace environment that we've cultivated over these many years, we are all able to work together as a cohesive team serving your insurance needs in an efficient, speedy, and friendly manner.
Agency Biographies
Sean M. Carroll, CPCU, President
Sean has over 15 years in the agency's management. He is very active with leaders in the industry along with a strong client interaction. He has served on both national and state advisory boards for various companies including The Hartford and Travelers. He is a past president of both the Southern Connecticut Chapter of C.P.C.U. and Greater Bridgeport Independent Insurance Agents. Sean has or is serving on numerous non-profit boards in the area including The Kennedy Center, The Charles Smith Foundation, Housatonic Community College Foundation Board, and The Fairfield University Alumni Board.
scarroll@meritinsurance.com
James A. Benson, CPCU, Executive Vice President and Managing Partner
Jim has over 20 years of experience in the insurance field specializing in larger property and casualty account and is quite involved with both industry and civic-related organizations. He is past President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut and Southern Connecticut Chapter of CPCU. He has and is serving on national and local councils of The Hartford, Travelers, and One Beacon. Jim has also served as President of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, and is a Director of both The Bridgeport Regional Business Council and The United Way.
jbenson@meritinsurance.com
William Carroll, (of Counsel)
Bill is the past Chairman of The Hartford and Aetna National Agent Advisory Board. With over 35 years of insurance experience, he has been recognized both statewide and nationally for his ability to transform a small Personal Lines company into a large Property and Casualty Risk Management agency. Bill presently serves as Chairman of the Board at St. Vincent's Hospital Foundation.
Robert Caldwell, CIC, Vice President
Bob joined Merit Insurance in 1994 after working as a Senior Commercial Underwriter with Travelers. This underwriting background gives Bob a unique expertise in the commercial insurance field. He specializes in construction, manufacturing and environmental insurance. Bob has served as chairman of the Stratford Economic Development Commission and has served on the Stratford Historic Commission. Bob is also heavily involved in youth coaching through Sterling House and Pony Baseball.
rcaldwell@meritinsurance.com
Michael LoStocco, Vice President
Michael, a veteran of the property and casualty insurance industry, specializes in the management and servicing of national accounts, risk underwriting, program development, marketing and agency management. His business development focuses on property and casualty insurance, including real estate developers and owners, home building construction, manufacturing, distributors and professional liability, including Lawyers' Professional Liability.
mlostocco@meritinsurance.com
James Tomchik, CPCU, President of Merit PLC
With over 30 years of insurance experience, Jim is President of Merit PLC, a division of Merit Insurance which specializes in Professional Liability coverage, including Lawyers Professional Liability. He has served on numerous committees for The Hartford and The Travelers/Aetna, including the Aetna Elite National Committee. Jim was also Chairman of both the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and The United Way of Eastern Fairfield County.
jtomchik@meritinsurance.com
Kenneth Schod
Ken has over 15 years experience as an Employee Benefits Agent. He has sat on the advisory board of Connecticare. He is also a member of the Southwest Chapter of the National Association of Life Underwriters and a Certified Member of the Connecticut Partnership on Long Term Care.
Edward C. Buckmir, Director of Operations
Ed oversees the day to day operations of the agency. A licensed producer, he also handles all agency Bond business. He has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. Ed serves on the Burroughs Community Center Board of Directors and is a volunteer tutor at Mercy Learning Center.
ebuckmir@meritinsurance.comDavid S. Lavine, Producer
David has over 40 years of insurance experience. He is former President of Marcus Hirsch & Co., an agency founded in 1904. He also a former President of the Greater Bridgeport Independent Insurance Agents and past President of Probus Club. dlavine@meritinsurance.com
Ryan Arias, Sales Director, Personal Lines
Ryan has an extensive background in personal lines insurance sales. He has worked for both State Farm and AllState in developing a comprehensive sales program. He is bilingual and interacts with the marketing representatives with all the major insurance companies.
Carole Sabia, (of Counsel)
Carole has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She has served as President of the Bridgeport Chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women and currently co-chairs The Women's Leadership Council, an affiliate of The Bridgeport Regional Business Council.
csabia@meritinsurance.com
Luis Rivera, Assistant Vice President, Commercial
Luis, a 10-year veteran of the casualty and professional liability insurance industry, served as a senior underwriter for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies where he specialized in umbrella liability, environmental liability and mergers and acquisitions liability. He earned his law degree in 2004 from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He is bilingual and is a member of the Connecticut Bar.
Lee Bailey, Benefits Consultant
Lee has come over to the agency side after twelve years with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield as an Employee Benefits Specialist. He will focus on new, innovative, consumer-driven health programs such as HAS’S and HRA’s for small and large business and will bring tremendous knowledge and expertise to our clients. Away from the office, Lee is an Assistant coach for Cheshire High School Lacrosse and has served as a volunteer for the Cheshire Youth Lacrosse program since 1994.
Employee Roster
Jessica Strazza
Commercial Lines Representative
Merit Insurance is committed to the service and advancement of our community. We are proud to feature the extraordinary community leaders and activists who go above and beyond the call of duty in securing the prosperity and success of the neighborhoods in which we all live and work.
We are proud to name Msgr. William J. Scheyd, Peter B. O'Connell and Leo J. Redgate Jr. Merit Award winers. All three are the honorees of the 2005 Mother M. Angeline Teresa Award presented by the League of St. Joseph's Manor. Msgr. Scheyd is honored for inspiration as a long-time member of the Board of Directors and for enhancing the mission and philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters which cares for the elderly who no longer can care for themselves; Peter B. O'Connell is recognized for his vision in elderly care and support for their families; and Leo Redgate Jr. is honored for his generosity and sensitivity by insuring the dignity of Jr. Joseph's residents.
St. Joseph's Manor is located at 6448 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611.
Congratulations to Msgr. Scheyd, Peter B. O'Connell and Leo J. Redgate Jr. for making tomorrow better than today for thousands of families in the greater Bridgeport, CT region.
Merit Insurance
1000 Lafayette Boulevard
Bridgeport, CT 06604
PH: 800.762.8358 203.367.5328
FAX: 203.331.8608
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