Producer/Consultant

Lockton Cos. L.L.C.

Kansas City, Mo.

38

Jenny L. Housley began her employee benefit consulting career 14 years ago when Lockton Cos. L.L.C.'s Kansas City, Mo., benefits operation included 14 associates and generated 10% of the revenue that it does today. Ms. Housley was selected as one of Lockton's first two unit managers/team leaders in employee benefits and was pivotally involved in developing the service team structure and performance standards for the organization. Today, Lockton's employee benefits division has seven service teams and more than 100 associates. In 2003, Ms. Housley became the second female employee benefits service associate at Lockton to transition to the role of producer. She is responsible for new business acquisition and existing client retention and has grown her book of business to more than $1.1 million a year. Like mentors that helped her early in her career, Ms. Housley mentors a female employee benefits producer who recently joined Lockton.

WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE PROFESSIONALLY WHILE GROWING UP: On the day I took the LSAT to enter law school, I joined a friend at her company holiday party as her guest. That night, I was introduced to the then 12-person staff of Lockton's Kansas City benefit operation, including the president, Sam Reda. Sam called me shortly thereafter and I began interviewing with Lockton. At the same time, I was registering to attend law school to begin my journey to become an attorney. Sam promised me if I did not love employee benefits, he would personally pay to send me to law school. I was worried I would get bored with insurance and need new challenges and told him I would take him up on his offer. That was almost 15 years ago and not a single day has bored me in this dynamic field.

PHONE OR E-MAIL AND WHY: I prefer telephone conversations. I think tone in e-mails can sometimes be misinterpreted, and I still very much appreciate the personal touch of a live conversation....I recognize the value of written documentation via e-mail, but when possible, I would rather talk to people on the phone or better yet in-person.

Complete profiles of all 2009 Women to Watch can be viewed at www.BusinessInsurance.com/women2009.