Senior Leadership Team
Gerald T. Bannach, CLU, FLMI, ARA — President and CEO
Gerald (Jerry) Bannach brings more than 20 years of group disability insurance and reinsurance experience to his position as President and CEO of Custom Disability Solutions. As President and CEO, Bannach leads a team of more than 140 employees, located in Maine, Connecticut and Minnesota, in the delivery of comprehensive customized reinsurance solutions. He is responsible for the development and implementation of CDS' business strategy and goals. Prior to joining CDS in 2006, Bannach served as Vice President, Disability Reinsurance at ING RE where he oversaw the P/L for ING RE's Group Disability Reinsurance line of business. Bannach held a number of positions of increased responsibility during his tenure at ING RE from 1998 to 2006. For 12 years previous, Bannach was employed for two years in Liberty Mutual's Minneapolis sales office, and for 10 years at Unum Provident where he held various positions in Unum's Rochester, NY; Portland, ME; and Minneapolis, MN offices. Bannach holds a BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Paul Fields — Senior Vice President, Chief Finance Officer
With more than 30 years in reinsurance and finance, Paul Fields brings both his expertise and understanding of the industry to Custom Disability Solutions as Chief Finance Officer. Prior to joining CDS, Fields held a variety of financial positions including management of reinsurance and corporate financial reporting, contract development and administration and treaty negotiation with disability reinsurers including Unum , Duncanson & Holt and Integrated Disability Resources. As Chief Financial Officer at CDS, Fields is responsible for legal, contracts, compliance, pricing, valuation and accounting. Fields graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a degree in Economics and Accounting.
David C. Mitchell, CLU — Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
As Chief Marketing Officer, David Mitchell manages and directs CDS’ product offerings, sales, distribution, marketing, client service and business development. Mitchell is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies that support the growth of CDS’ clients and disability reinsurance business. Mitchell has served in various leadership roles throughout his career; the most recent with Disability RMS, which he joined as a partner in 1993. Prior to joining Disability RMS, he worked in the reinsurance division of Unum Life Insurance Company. A Chartered Life Underwriter, Mitchell holds a degree in business administration from the University of Maine. In addition to his extensive work experience and credentials, Mitchell is an active member and past president of Group Underwriters Association of America and serves on the University of Maine Southern Maine Alumni Chapter Board.
Roxanne Bergland — Vice President, Business Development
As Vice President of Business Development, Roxanne Bergland is responsible for growing Custom Disability Solutions' customer base, maximizing new business and reinsurance revenues, in addition to increasing market awareness. Bergland fosters key strategic business partnerships within CDS' disability target markets, and drives reinsurance prospecting opportunities. Bergland joined CDS in July 2006, and she brings with her over 20 years of experience working in the group disability reinsurance market. Prior to CDS, Bergland served as Marketing Manager at ING Reinsurance where she developed strong and lasting business relationships with key decision makers and buyers, and led the implementation process for new clients. Bergland held a number of positions, each with increased responsibility and accountability, during her tenure at ING including: Reinsurance Premium Specialist, Retrocessionnaire, Custom Service Representative, Account Manager, and Service Manager. Bergland holds a Credit and Finance Degree from Saint Cloud Technical College.
Shawn Dutremble — Vice President, Underwriting
As Vice President of Underwriting, Shawn Dutremble is responsible for developing and implementing Custom Disability Solutions' underwriting goals, and delivering customer-centric outcomes that advance the business strategies of CDS and its clients. Prior to joining CDS in July 2006, Dutremble served as National Account Risk Leader at The Standard. He led a national account team that was responsible for the growth and profitability of national accounts (2500 lives and above) for The Standard's Eastern Region. As Regional Accounts Service and Risk Team Leader at The Standard, Dutremble managed the underwriting and contract team for the Atlanta, Charlotte and DC Sales offices. Before joining The Standard in 2001, Dutremble held the positions of Customer Contract Manager, and Case Underwriter at UnumProvident. Dutremble holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine.
Tony Michaud — Vice President, Client Support Services
As Vice President of Client Support Services, Tony Michaud overseas CDS' Distribution Development and Relationship Management teams. He is responsible for fostering the organic growth of CDS' clients and maximizing CDS' revenue and profitability from existing reinsurance company relationships and strategic partnerships. Throughout his more than 20 years in the industry, Michaud has focused on creating customer-centric teams. Prior to joining CDS, Michaud served as Director, Account Management at UnumProvident from 2001 to 2004, where he led a team of eight Account Managers, who were responsible for servicing over 150 policies. While at UnumProvident, Michaud demonstrated his leadership ability and customer service skills as a Disability Benefit Specialist and then as a manager in Unum's Disability Claims Organization. Michaud holds a degree in Computer Science from Andover College.
Christine Van Voorhis — Vice President, Claims
Christine Van Voorhis currently manages all aspects of Custom Disability Solutions' claims operation. She is responsible for overseeing an overall block of business in excess of $300 million in reserves for multiple constituents. As Vice President of Claims, Van Voorhis leads a staff of over 60 employees in the administration of short- and long-term disability claims for the company's reinsurance clients. Van Voorhis has 30 years experience in claim management and operations. Prior to joining CDS, she worked as an independent disability consultant, providing strategic claim management support, analysis and oversight to insurance carriers and reinsurers. While at UnumProvident, she served as Manager/Contracts, Group Customer Service, and as Head Support/Risk Unit for LTD Benefits. Van Voorhis graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a degree in Science/Merchandise.
Brian Cooke, NPDP — Director, Product Management
Brian Cooke oversees the organization's product development efforts. In his role, Cooke is responsible for the development of new services and features to existing products; market intelligence, including both insurance and reinsurance competitors, new offerings and trends in both markets and industry; and market research, as well as a focused approach to help our clients stay current on industry developments in areas outside of legislation and compliance. Cooke has over 24 years experience and has an extensive background in Reinsurance Sales and Service, Regulatory Compliance, Product Development, Employee Benefits, and Account Management. Prior to joining CDS, Cooke worked with Union Mutual, Miele & Associates/Duncanson & Holt, Liberty Mutual, and Disability Consulting Group. For 10 years, he worked at Liberty Mutual in Dover, New Hampshire and in Boston, Massachusetts. He held a variety of positions including Chief Compliance Analyst, Product Manager and Project Manager; primarily responsible for their integrated disability products, and disability risk management information systems (RISKTRAC). Cooke holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine, and continued his studies completing programs at the University of New Hampshire as well as CEBS, LOMA and HIAA.
Dean Rosingana — Director, Marketing and Communications
As Director of Marketing and Communications, Dean Rosingana is responsible for the development and implementation of CDS' strategic marketing initiatives, including corporate communications, marketing and public relations. Rosingana is also responsible for providing marketing support to CDS' diverse group of clients. Rosingana joined CDS in January 2005. Prior to joining CDS, Rosingana worked at the University of Southern Maine's Muskie School of Public Service as Communications Director for Community Partnership for Older Adults, a national grant program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Rosingana also was Manager of Public Relations at Monster.com and served as Chief of Staff for Massachusetts State Senator Michael Knapik. Rosingana graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Political Science and Economics.
Jennifer Simpson — Director, Human Resources
As Director of Human Resources, Jennifer Simpson is responsible for the design and implementation of human resource strategies, policies and processes. Simpson also oversees corporate training and development initiatives, recruiting and facility administration for the division. She has over 10 years experience in the disability reinsurance industry and has served in the Human Resources department since 2003. Prior to joining CDS, Simpson held various positions with reinsurer, Duncanson & Holt. Active in the community, she serves as a co-chair for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. She is currently completing her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine.
William Sproul — Director, IS Operations
As Director of IS Operations, William (Bill) Sproul oversees Custom Disability Solutions' IT department and is responsible for implementing internal/external reporting systems. Sproul assumed his current role in October 2005. He has over 30 years of experience in the reinsurance industry, starting in 1975 with Union Mutual, Unum and then UnumProvident. Throughout his 30-year career, Sproul has held leadership roles in a number of departments including: Director, TPA Claims; Second Vice President, Sales and Underwriting; and Supervisor, Client Services. Sproul graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Business Administration.