Seafood Insurance

Meet the People on the Other End of the Phone

John F. Keane, president and founder of Capitol Risk Concepts, Ltd., is personally involved with all clients, directing CRC's technical committee, service group, insurance marketers, and claims department on a day-to-day basis to make certain that CRC clients receive the very best service. In addition, John makes frequent visits to review client needs firsthand, and recommends any coverage adjustments necessary to meet changing circumstances.

John holds a degree in electrical engineering, and uses his unique technical background to good advantage in behalf of CRC's clients. His 41 years of insurance industry experience has produced exclusive methods for providing low-cost, high-quality insurance portfolios for companies ranging in size from 10 million to 500 million in sales.

Having begun his career as a public utility field engineer, John later worked as a field engineer for a machine tool manufacturer, and held a supervisory position in military air defense operations. His experience as an account executive at Arkwright-Boston Insurance Company - where he provided highly-sophisticated engineering-oriented property insurance to Fortune 500 companies - makes him uniquely qualified to develop risk protection programs. John has achieved international recognition for the creation of specialized seafood industry insurance programs, most notable among them, the broadest marine cargo change of temperature coverage, as well as coverage for FDA rejection, product contamination and consequential damage liability resulting from product contamination.

John's unique technical knowledge enables him to satisfy a diversity of client needs, providing coverage for exotic, highly sophisticated risks understood by few competitors in the insurance industry.

John has created numerous sophisticated client insurance programs - from liquid chromatography to thin-film disposition to solid rocket fuel to medical malpractice - that have stood the test of time.

Vincent Keane, a second generation member of the CRC team

Vincent Keane, a second generation member of the CRC team, firmly believes that an insurance broker should make themselves an indispensable advisor and architect of a clients' profit growth and protection plan. He feels that standard client/broker relationships, where the emphasis is on the broker simply collecting quotes once a year, are a disservice to the client and leaves much of the value, an insurance advisor and architect can bring their client, completely unutilized. Vincent feels strongly that in today's ever evolving business environment of global commerce and "just in time" logistics, a client needs an insurance broker, who has their finger on the pulse of his clients' particular industry and the insurance marketplace, and who is not only capable of negotiating and interpreting the exclusion-laden insurance contract, but is also aware of the necessity of acting with speed and precision.

Throughout his years of experience, Vincent has chosen to focus on a handful of specialized industries. While the core elements of business often remain the same, from industry to industry, Vince's specialization brings great value to his clients and includes but is not limited to: food importers, manufacturers, wineries, plus-very close to Vincent's heart-growers and manufacturers of goods made in the USA by American workers. Vincent continues to educate himself in the insurance field as well as the fields of his clients. As an insurance professional, he sits on the Professional Insurance Agents Board of Advisors. Vincent strives each day to serve his clients to the best of his abilities and feels good knowing that several of his clients remain in business today because of the quality insurance designs he has created.

Vincent has a B.A. in English and Classical Rhetoric, graduating from Hobart College with honors.



Michael J. Lieberman, one of CRC's leading Insurance Advisors is committed to bringing the highest level of service to his clients. Michael is continuously seeking knowledge - inside and outside of the insurance industry - that will enable him to meet and exceed the expectations of his clients.

Michael has been actively involved in many insurance qualification programs, including insurance law, environmental law, general liability, business interruption, disaster recovery, international marine cargo, Hull, and P&I. He earned a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation in 2003.

Further contributing to CRC's involvement in the food industry, Michael has spent hundreds of hours being educated on multiple topics related to food safety and supply chain management. He has also received multiple certifications in Seafood Sensory Evaluation from NMFS.

In addition to Michael's work at CRC, he currently sits on the board of directors for the National Fisheries Institute, the largest seafood trade organization in the United States, and SeaShare, a non-profit hunger relief organization.

Capable of structuring the most complex coverage, Michael works closely with clients to ensure that all their needs are addressed. He notes that "a client can be confident they have the necessary coverage when they've been actively involved in the coverage design process". Michael prides himself on professionalism, communication, relationship, and exceeding expectations.

Michael's enthusiasm and attention to detail have made him a valuable member of the CRC's team.

Michael attended West Virginia University and received a B.A. in Arts-Music, with a minor in business management.



Pamela Strader, CRC's Property/Casualty Manager, is an integral part of CRC's client service operations. A Cum Laude graduate of Wheaton College with a B.A. in Economics, Pamela brings a wealth of international business and insurance knowledge to CRC's clients.

Pamela's thirty-two years of global insurance experience is brought to bear daily in providing solutions to business and insurance problems. One of Pamela's special interests is the financial services arena, where she has served as an underwriting and marketing manager handling the insurance portfolios of some of the world's largest financial institutions.

Along the way, Pamela has gained substantial international business and management experience as a Vice President of Chubb Group's international operations, including Country Manager-Ireland, Branch Manager-Southeast UK, and European Zone Underwriting Manager for Financial Institutions. She also participated in creating Chubb business development strategies for both Eastern Europe and Lloyds of London.

Pamela particularly enjoys dealing with the highly specialized and complex needs of global businesses, encompassing property, casualty, fidelity, bonding, directors and officers liability, fiduciary liability, political risks, and kidnap and ransom insurance.Pamela has become a valued resource to CRC international clients due to her operational experience in managing numerous insurance operations in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Her long experience as an underwriter and underwriting manager, along with her knowledge of the underwriting thought process and the inner workings of the insurance industry, makes Pamela uniquely qualified as an insurance advisor. She thoroughly understands the sophistication and differentiation among various types of coverage, and enjoys providing CRC's clients with this special expertise.



Mark Brecher, CRC's Claims Manager, oversees all client claims, and assures prompt payment for all covered losses. Heading CRC's Claims Department, Mark has the experience and proven ability to effectively process client claims, and has distributed millions of dollars to reimburse clients for their losses.

As CRC's Claims Manager, Mark's primary job function is to ensure that our clients' trust in CRC is fully justified by prompt payment of claims for which we've provided coverage. He is responsible for maintaining close working relationships with well-known insurers, so that CRC has the complete trust and respect of these underwriting carriers.

His job requires a thorough knowledge of each client's business. He fully understands the circumstances of their loss and is able to address any and all client or underwriter questions. Upon reviewing a client's in-force coverage, Mark works with insurers to ensure quick and complete payment for all of the client's covered losses.

"Handling a difficult situation well, and knowing that my efforts make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful outcome, gives me a great deal of satisfaction" says Mark, who has successfully handled CRC client claims for over 32 years. He adds, "I've always enjoyed the challenge of new situations, since they provide opportunities to expand my knowledge and deal with different products and industries on behalf of our clients."

Mark has become known nationally as an expert seafood claim adjuster, has been called upon, regularly, as an expert witness, involving marine cargo coverage disputes, and has won the admiration of clients and the respect of insurance company claims executives

Through the years, Mark has handled thousands of client claims - particularly cargo claims - proving time after time that our clients' insurance coverage pays off.



Rosemarie Fischer, CRC's marine account advisor, is a highly-experienced insurance needs problem-solver. Capable of structuring the most complex coverage into effective and affordable programs, Rosemarie works closely with both clients and insurance companies to resolve, in a timely and cost-efficient manner, any and all complications that may arise.

Rosemarie has an extensive banking background that complements her main area of expertise, Marine Insurance. Managing CRC's Marine Department, Rosemarie maintains relationships with top underwriters to ensure clients receive the best possible coverage at the most competitive rates.

Priding herself on doing the "impossible," Rosemarie has consistently proven how diligence and experience can work together for the benefit of CRC clients. She discloses a recent situation: "By paying close attention to client reports and policy coverage, I identified warehouse values that were over limits, as well as interests and scheduled voyages that were not adequately covered. I immediately took the necessary steps to alert the clients to these inadequacies. With their input, I quickly provided the necessary coverage, helping our clients avoid any major uninsured losses."

Rosemarie's focus and attention to detail, and quick and courteous manner have made her an invaluable member of CRC's team of insurance professionals. For her more than twenty-three years with CRC, she has demonstrated a continued interest in broadening her knowledge of client industries.

When asked what provides her the greatest job satisfaction, Rosemarie smiles and states simply, "Happy, properly-insured clients".