2015 40 Under 40 Broker Awards: Mark Flippen

Senior vice president

JLT Specialty Insurance Services Inc.

Age: 37

On a recent average week, Mark Flippen flew from his home office in Denver to Chicago, then to New York, then to Boston and back to Denver.

For Mr. Flippen, a senior vice president at JLT Specialty Insurance Services Inc. who specializes in creating risk management plans for financial institutions, it's all about going the extra mile — the airline mile.

“I take a little bit more of the traditional route, which is a lot of face-to-face meetings,” he said. “I really like the relationship part of the job. I love getting out and seeing clients.”

Mr. Flippen, a University of Colorado graduate, started interning at Midwest National Life Insurance Co. while still in college studying communications.

He found insurance a “relationship-oriented business,” one that a communications guru would be good in.

His first internship led to a position with the firm in 2000. Since then he's worked at five top companies — including Marsh L.L.C., Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA Inc., and Willis North America Inc. — tackling everything from employee benefits to directors and officers liability before landing firmly in the field of financial services. Today, he says he has his dream job.

“He has a really good technical background in banking,” said colleague Shannon Sarina, a Denver-based vice president at JLT Specialty. “He really knows the industry and isn't just a salesperson. He really thinks of their exposures and creative ways to address those exposures.”

Mr. Flippen highlights cyber security and regulatory and compliance issues as among the top facing financial institutions today. Lender-placed insurance is also a trouble spot, with antiquated solutions that don't quite fit some businesses, he said.

Chris O'Donnell, senior vice president for corporate risk and insurance for Buffalo, New York-based M&T Bank, called Mr. Flippen among the most enthusiastic players after spending several years as one of his clients while Mr. Flippen was a sales leader at Marsh.

“He's very energetic and knowledgeable,” he said.