Team Titan

Michael Gurowski, President

After twenty four years at Mass Mutual, where he set an unprecedented consecutive eight-year record as Agent of the Year, Michael felt a shift in the financial services market. An opportunity to expand into the growing and highly competitive group health insurance industry presented Michael with a challenge he couldn’t pass up. In 2006, Mike founded Titan Insurance and Employee Benefits Agency, LLC, while still maintaining a business relationship with Mass Mutual, and moved into offices just down the hall in Clinton Square.

 

Michael serves as President of Titan and leads the firm's team of Benefits Consultants.  Michael is a Board Member of the Small Business Council of Rochester which is an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance.

 

Michael, who has been married to Tammy for 25 years, enjoys visiting his daughter Samantha who lives in Manhattan and works for Make-A-Wish Foundation, and watching his sons, Max and Billy, play college lacrosse for Jacksonville University and Ithaca College, respectively. Michael has been a resident of Webster of 22 years.

 

When able to enjoy free time, Michael coaches a youth lacrosse league in Webster and enjoys boating and leisure time at the family cottage on Port Bay.

Eric Gilbert, Executive Vice President and Practice Leader

 

Eric’s diverse responsibilities at Titan encompass providing strategic and analytical direction and oversight in the areas of client counseling, account growth, integration of service offerings and new business development. He provides leadership for the sales team and maintains broker relationships in the middle market for group insurance products.

 

Eric's past experience included several years of management and as Director of Sales at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.  He was the Manager of Special National Accounts and administered key national accounts and provided strategic guidance relative to medical plans, health and wellness, employee programs and financial modeling. 

 

He has served as IZZO Golf Director of Product Development, Marketing and WW Sourcing Manager for Eastman Kodak, and was also affiliated with Mason Marketing as an Account Supervisor.  Eric graduated from St John Fisher College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Concentration in Finance.  He is licensed NYS Life, Accident and Health.

 

Eric is a Board Member of First Tee of Rochester and an active fundraiser and supporter of Autism Speaks.   He resides in Pittsford with his wife Rose and their three children, Josh, Evan and Noah.  He is a member of Monroe Golf Club and Rochester Curling Club, and enjoys those sports in addition to travel.

 

Laura Burgart, Benefits Consultant

Laura is responsible for sales and service of employee benefits, maintaining direct client relationships to ensure optimal satisfaction with benefit packages, and providing knowledgeable solutions to maximize client resources.  Laura provides well-designed plans specifically tailored to client needs.

 

Laura previously served as Director of Operations for Titan prior to moving into the role of Benefits Consultant.  She is licensed NYS Life, Accident and Health.

 

Laura graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  Laura held several different sales positions including Val Morgan and Silpada.  She was an Office Manager at Mass Mutual for 13 years and also worked as Director of Operations at Screenvision Cinema Advertising. 

 

Laura resides in Bristol where she follows her life passions including golf, skiing and gardening.

 

Tricia Dunham, Benefits Consultant
 

 

Tricia’s primary responsibilities include ensuring clients are maximizing employee productivity for the benefits provided.  Tricia ensures her clients’ benefit packages are competitive, well-negotiated, and demonstrate cost/value benefit.
 

Tricia's previous career at Mass Mutual, where she worked as an Investment and Annuity Specialist, provided her exceptional experience and expertise.  Tricia is NYS licensed in Life, Accident and Health, and Variable Annuity.  She is also FINRA licensed Series 7, 63 and 24. 

 

Tricia is a resident of Penfield where she enjoys music, travel and spending time with her children, Dan, Zoey and Alyssa.

 

 

 

Mark Meile, District Manager Central New York

 

Mark is responsible for creating and offering employee benefit plans designed to meet strategic financial goals as well as ensuring client and employee satisfaction with their benefit packages.  Mark is experienced in creating plans with varied funding options; coupled with ongoing financial and benefit utilization analysis, his skill set is unique and strategically balances agency objectives.

 

As Titan Insurance's District Manager of Central New York, Mark brings over twenty years of employee benefit, human resource management and consulting experience to the agency.  Mark is headquartered in Syracuse, Titan Insurance’s fourth location.

 

Mark graduated from SUNY Utica with a BS in Finance.  He is licensed NYS Life, Accident and Health and carries the GBDS (Group Benefits Disability Specialist) designation. Mark is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse in 2009. 

 

Mark has been a resident of the Syracuse area his entire life, he is married to Jeannine and has three children.  He is very active in the Syracuse community, as a volunteer with several not-for-profit organizations as well as coaching youth basketball and baseball teams.

Ed Hilton, Underwriting Manager

Ed incorporates his diversified skills into a best practice model at Titan Insurance, bringing a data-driven perspective to health plan management.  The actuarial experience he has developed enables him to identify trends in clients’ data and work with them to develop solutions that best suit their unique needs.  He negotiates rates and benefit arrangements with carriers based on an actuarial approach with the goal of ultimately providing the best cost-benefit scenario for Titan’s clients. 

 

Ed established an impressive career in Rating and Underwriting as an Analyst and then Team Leader at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, and more recently as an Actuarial Analyst at First Niagara Benefits Consulting.

 

Ed earned his MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology with a concentration in Environmentally Sustainable Management, and his BS from Nazareth College, where he majored in Accounting with minors in Marketing and International Business.

 

Ed resides in Greece.  He is an outdoor enthusiast and supports environmental work.  He also enjoys kayaking and hiking, in addition to other sports.

Tammy Gurowski, Communications Manager

Tammy is responsible for public relations, special and corporate events, and she serves as community and media relations point of contact. Tammy is responsible for client communications, the company website, and social media.  She is responsible for developing and assessing advertising and marketing campaigns.

 

She graduated from Nazareth College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Rhetoric.

 

Tammy enjoys her family, Samantha, Max and Billy, and is married to Michael for 25 years.  She has served and been

recognized for her volunteer work including Webster Central PTSA, Alliance for Quality in Education, Metro Justice and

numerous other organizations as a community volunteer for  the previous two decades.

 

 Tammy enjoys time at their cottage, boating, both water and snow skiing, gardening and is an avid reader.

 

Jeremy Chiarelli, Account Manager

Jeremy is responsible for maintaining and managing client relationships. Jeremy consults and advises clients on alternative benefit offerings to better position them for the future.  Jeremy offers advice and counsel on employee benefit packages and administers all aspects of service in accordance with the Titan service model.  

 

Jeremy is NYS licensed Life, Accident and Health. Jeremy graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

 

Jeremy's past experience includes a position as a Health and Benefits Account Manager at Paychex where he administered and coordinated open enrollment meetings and serviced carrier relationships. 

 

Jeremy is an outdoor enthusiast and serves as a volunteer coach in the Irondequoit Soccer Club. He resides in Greece with his wife, Peggy, and son, Jacob.

 

Sharon Pappas, Compliance and Benefits Technology Specialist

 

Sharon's role encompasses the vast array of skills necessary to navigate compliance and technology needs for Titan's clients.  She assists clients with adherence to requirements and guidelines in accordance with regulations required by law.  Sharon guides clients through the implementation of technological applications and designs solutions to streamline processes.

 

Sharon's previous work includes positions with First Niagara Benefit Consulting, Providium Consulting, and Mutual of America. She is NYS licensed in Life, Accident and Health. 

 

Sharon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Liberal Arts and Communication from SUNY Oswego.

Sharon enjoys skiing, running, hiking and sailing with her family. Sharon, her husband Tom, son Jordan, and daughter Catherine, reside in Brighton.

 

 

Dustin Maier, Account Coordinator

 

Dustin is responsible for client service needs and account management.  He is also responsible for improving coverage knowledge, and providing assistance and expertise to facilitate client satisfaction.  He administers and processes enrollment plans, therefore encompassing all service aspects of employee benefits administration.

 

Dustin graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.  His professional licenses include NYS Property Casualty and NYS Life, Accident and Health. 

 

Dustin's previous career included a position as a Licensed Sales Producer and Office Manger from an Allstate Agency.

 

Dustin resides in Ogden and is engaged to be married in 2012.  He enjoys leisure time at a family cottage, boating,  water skiing and a regular physical fitness regimen.

 

Krystal Wentz, Account Coordinator 

 

Krystal is responsible for maintaining relationships between insurance carriers and Titan clients.  Improving coverage knowledge, providing guidance and answers are her key responsibilities in addition to acting as company liaison in addressing and resolving needs as they arise.

 

Krystal attended Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University and Strayer University in Virginia. Her professional licenses include NYS Life, Accident and Health.

 

Krystal held a position at Manning & Napier where she served as an Account Coordinator.

Krystal is a resident of Canandaigua where she enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family. Krystal and her husband Troy reside in Canandaigua.

 

Christina Wilson, Account Coordinator

Christina has responsibilities which revolve around daily service needs. Christina researches and completes client issues, COBRA processes, broker proposals, and various administrative needs.

Christina graduated from SUNY Brockport in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She is NYS licensed in Life, Accident and Health.

 

Christina's past work experience includes a position at KAFL Insurance Resources where she was a processor for COBRA information and developed quotes and marketing plans. Her previous experience also includes Paychex Insurance Agency and systems analysis work.

 

Christina resides in Rochester and was a recipient of a Wegman’s Employee Scholarship. Christina enjoys attending Rochester Broadway Theatre League performances and country music concerts. She is a sports enthusiast and fan of the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and New York Yankees. She loves spending time with family and friends.