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Over 50 years of exceptional service in the insurance industry.

Looking forward into the future and finding even better and more inventive ways to service our customers will always be our goal; however our innate ability to do that comes from over half a century as an industry leader, growing ever stronger with each passing day.  Our history is what shapes our future.

 

Over 50 years ago, a handful of people hacked away on typewriters and yapped on corded phones in a multi-story brick office building on the west side of Cleveland.  This small group of forward thinking traditionalists, including Thomas B. McGowan, pioneered the development and beginnings of many of the fantastic products we carry now, and set the bar for the level of service, ingenuity and integrity that are still practiced today.

 

Focusing on emerging trends in software, data management and security advances, The McGowan Companies had no choice but to do away with the typewriters and corded desk phones, but that’s about all that was given up from the company’s humble roots.  The McGowan Companies has managed to perfect the marriage of dynamic technological capabilities with non-automated, genuine, honest, personal service.

 

It’s not hard to see how we have become the industry leader for specialized insurance programs.  Boasting the full in-house authority to underwrite, rate, quote, bind and issue policies on behalf of National “A” Rated Carriers, processed with state-of-the-art technology, combined with the distinctive service only achievable by over 50 years of cultivation and growth, it’s clear that The McGowan Companies have perfected the recipe for servicing your specialized insurance needs.

DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS

President & Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (440) 333-6300 x3609

tbmiv@mcgowancompanies.com

Thomas B. McGowan, IV is President and Chief Executive Officer of The McGowan Companies. Like his father and grandfather before him, Thom has led the company with innovation, dedication and service. Among the milestones that have occurred under Thom’s direction are the 2001 design/build of The McGowan Companies corporate headquarters: the 2005 formation of Statehouse Casualty Managers; the 2008 acquisition The Windward Group, LLC; the 2009 formation of McGowan, Donnelly & Oberheu, LLC; and the 2011 re-branding of The McGowan Companies core insurance operations. In addition to the firm’s expansion, Thom has overseen the creation of our, state-of-the art, proprietary, Agency Distribution Network and Agency Management System. During his tenure, the firm has achieved record growth and profitability.

Thom graduated from St. Ignatius High School, a Jesuit Preparatory School in Cleveland, OH, followed by a 4 year study at Fairfield University where he earned his B.A. in History. He matriculated to Saint Louis University’s dual-degree program and earned his Juris Doctorate and Masters in Business Administration. Thom is involved with many community outreach programs and Nonprofit Organizations including the West Haven Foundation for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, where he serves as a Trustee, and the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center.

Chief Operating Officer

Phone: (440) 333-6300 x3607

lmcgowan@mcgowancompanies.com

Laura began her career at McGowan & Company in 1998 as an Underwriting Assistant. She was promoted to National Program Manager – Community Associations in 2000. In 2005, she was promoted to Corporate Vice President – Operations for The McGowan Companies. In 2014, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer for The McGowan Companies. She graduated from The College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1997.

Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (440) 333-6300 x3605
mcjuliano@mcgowancompanies.com

Mary began her career as an auditor with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young). She joined The McGowan Companies as Chief Financial Officer in 1999. Prior to that, she provided outside CPA services to The McGowan Companies and other clients. Mary obtained her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin. She was awarded an Elijah Watt Sells Award with High Distinction from the AICPA as a result of outstanding scores achieved on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination.

MEC – Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (732) 335-8470 x5103

clongo@mcgowanexcess.com

Chris was previously the President of St. Paul Travelers Specialty Excess & Umbrella (SEU) division and oversaw all of the unsupported umbrella business in the company, both admitted and non-admitted.  Prior to starting SEU, Chris was President of Chubb Atlantic, an off shore insurance company based in Bermuda while enjoying a nineteen (19) year career with Chubb.

President – McGowan Governmental Underwriters
Phone: (440) 333-6300 x3643
tphelan@mguins.com

Terry began his insurance career with Chubb & Son in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, he has held various senior management positions within the industry in New York, New Jersey, and Texas.

In 1990, he formed Phelan Risk Management Services Company, a consulting firm specializing in troubleshooting product lines for insurance carriers throughout the United States. With the acquisition of a public entity consulting practice in 1994, the firm expanded its practice to include the design, implementation and management of insurance programs for public entities, eventually, becoming the largest public entity consulting firm of its type in Ohio.

This expansion led to a chance encounter with Messrs. Thomas B. McGowan, III and Thomas B. McGowan, IV and the subsequent development of an umbrella program for public entities. In 2002, Terry joined McGowan & Company as Vice President of Municipal Risk.

Terry is currently the President of McGowan Governmental Underwriters (MGU).  MGU is a Program Manager and Specialized Lines Insurance Broker. Formed in 2013 with the partnering with Trident, a registered service mark of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., to bring you an exclusive Public Entity insurance program. This product will be initially available in Ohio and Pennsylvania. MGU will also offer our current Umbrella product for Public Entities Nationwide.

President – Excess Casualty

Phone: (440) 333-6300 x3619

Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing

Phone: (440) 333-6300 x5455

 

Prior to joiningThe McGowan  Companies, Peter was the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at MiddleOak. He served in a variety of capacities during his tenure at MiddleOak including, roles as the General Manager, Underwriting Manager, and leader of the organization’s brokerage unit. Peter’s insurance experience also includes roles in commercial underwriting at The Travelers, agency management at Great American as well as several years working as both a personal and commercial lines producer.

Peter earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut’s School of Business. In addition to securing the designations of CIC, CRM and API; Peter also has completed the Executive Leadership Development program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Managing Director Community Association Products & Risk Management

Phone: (440) 333-6300 x2240