Jeffrey R. Johnstone
Cranberry Twp.,Pa
Summary
Dynamic insurance professional with over 30 years of experience, including a strong background in sales and account planning. Proven track record as a CEO, effectively driving organizational growth through strategic planning and operational management. Expertise in negotiation, customer service, and fiscal management has led to increased profitability and successful business relationships. Committed to leveraging extensive industry knowledge to capitalize on new opportunities and achieve corporate goals.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent travel agent
The Travel Zone / Travel Planner’s International
Pittsburgh, Pa
01.2023 - Current
- Book travel for individuals, businesses, and sports groups.
- Create and book events, tours, sporting events, and theme park excursions.
- Build relationships with vendors.
- Create and negotiate contracts for travel arrangements.
- Built a client base.
- Monitor and manage an extensive vendor website.
- Manage and track bookings, and commission payments.
- Created customized vacation packages that incorporated flights, cruises, hotels and car rentals as required.
- Provided customers with brochures and publications containing local customs, points of interest or foreign country regulations.
- Maintained relationships with travel partners and vendors.
- Booked transportation and hotel reservations using computer or telephone.
- Completed ongoing training with company and travel partners.
- Managed financial transactions related to travel bookings, including invoicing and payments.
- Generated reports on sales performance metrics such as revenue generated per month or number of bookings made per quarter.
- Processed payments from customers using various methods such as credit cards or cash payments.
- Stayed informed of emerging travel trends and technologies to enhance service delivery.
- Researched hotels and airfare options to best meet client needs and expectations.
- Organized group travel arrangements, coordinating logistics for seamless travel experiences.
- Computed costs of travel and accommodations using calculator, computer or quote package tour's costs.
- Coordinated travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, for diverse client base.
- Provided comprehensive information on travel destinations, including attractions, accommodation and transportation options.
- Explained benefits of purchasing travel insurance with clients.
Adjunct Faculty (North Campus)
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, Pa
09.2018 - Current
- Instruct Non-credit Community Education classes
- Medicare and Health Insurance Education
CEO
Senior Healthcare Specialists, L.L.C.
Pittsburgh, Pa
01.2018 - Current
- Created a startup company specializing in senior health care education.
- Recruit and train independent agents to market and sell Medicare products.
- Partner with brokers, financial planners, and estate attorneys to market and refer Medicare business.
- Completion of AHIP certification.
- Comply with all CMS and carrier rules and regulations.
- Negotiation of contracts with FMO and carriers.
- Conduct educational seminars within the community.
- Consultative approach when conducting one-on-one client presentations.
- Create, manage, and complete the client sales cycle from identification to sale.
- Created the company website, social media, and marketing brochures.
- Emphasis on lead qualification, customer service, and claims assistance.
- Plan for the open enrollment of existing clients.
- Utilization of Salesforce and AgencyBloc CRM platforms for agencies and agents.
- Drove revenue by cultivating successful client relations.
- Led strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability and company growth.
- Cultivated relationships with external organizations to build partnerships that benefited both parties.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, and managed employees at all levels within the organization.
- Implemented technological solutions designed to improve operational effectiveness.
- Overseen the daily operations of the organization and ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Exceeded sales goals through upselling and cross-selling within existing client base as well as strategically attracting new business.
- Assessed financial performance of the organization on a regular basis and identified areas for improvement.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Consultant
Johnstone Insurance Service, L.L.C.
Pittsburgh, Pa
06.2004 - Current
- Sales and service of business clients in group medical, dental, life, disability, and worksite benefits.
- Sales and service of individual clients in individual life, health, and disability insurance.
- Responsible for new account sales, account growth, and closing new business.
- Provide full-service brokerage in six states (PA, OH, WV, MI, MD, and NY).
- Negotiated rates and contracts with insurance carriers.
- Provide presentations to all levels of organizations.
- Collaborate with carriers, agencies, and agents to establish growth capability.
- Recruit and train brokerage agencies.
- Recruit, hire, and train individual agents for a sales team.
- Provide leadership, including product knowledge, sales training, renewals, customer service, claims, operations, account set-up, and enrollment.
- Set specific goals for projects to measure progress and evaluate end results.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Analyzed key performance indicators to identify effective strategies.
- Reviewed existing policies and procedures to suggest necessary improvements.
- Collaborated with clients to develop action plans to address specific challenges and objectives.
- Worked closely with human resources to support employee management and organizational planning.
- Utilized document management system to organize company files, keeping up-to-date and easily accessible data.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
Education
B.S. - Business Administration
Gannon University
Erie, Pa01.1987
Skills
- Corporate governance
- Financial acumen
- Inspirational leadership
- Strategic visioning
- Digital transformation
- Customer focus
- Succession planning
- Operational excellence
- Effective decision making
- Multitasking
- Consulting
- People and culture
- Sales leadership
- Results orientation
- Decision-making
- Negotiation
- Budget planning
- Interpersonal communication
- Resource utilization
- Teamwork
- Departmental coordination
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Effective communicator and public speaker
- Employee engagement
- Policy development
- Adaptability and flexibility
- New business development
- Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
- Competitive analysis
- Financial management
- Leadership and people development
- Intuit quickbooks
- Management team leadership
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Risk management
- Professional demeanor
- Written communication
- Approachable leader
- Staff management
- Revenue growth
- Business acumen
- Business strategy
- Marketing and advertising
Community Service
- National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), Secretary, 1999 - 2002
- USA Ball Hockey (USABH) Asst. Referee in Chief: Created and updated the USABH rulebook; developed the USABH Referee Certification Program; served as Tournament Referee in Charge; coordinated national events and officiated as an International Referee in Czechia (June 2023) and Edmonton (August 2024)
- Woodlands Homeowners Association, Board of Directors, Cranberry Township, PA, June 2023 - Present
- TEAM Pittsburgh Dek Hockey, President (01/01/2008 - 12/31/2022): Led by-law revisions and oversaw day-to-day operations, including site contracts and negotiations, planned and supervised board meetings, consulted with legal counsel on compliance matters, and forecasted strategic goals, managed insurance policy reviews, fundraising event planning, and tournament management, created an annual academic scholarship award
Timeline
Independent travel agent
The Travel Zone / Travel Planner’s International
01.2023 - Current
Adjunct Faculty (North Campus)
Community College of Allegheny County
09.2018 - Current
CEO
Senior Healthcare Specialists, L.L.C.
01.2018 - Current
Consultant
Johnstone Insurance Service, L.L.C.
06.2004 - Current
B.S. - Business Administration
Gannon University
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