RISE 2025

Chip Jermy is a Claims Examiner and Adjuster. He joined McNeil & Company in January 2004 and has been in his current position for over 20 years, including tenure as a Business Analyst focused on Claims-related data and finances. With previous experience in a full spectrum of vehicle, property, and liability claims, his current focus is with vehicles and motorized apparatus, specifically heavy and specialty vehicles, and emergency service provider equipment. He holds an associate's degree in business administration from Tompkins-Cortland Community College, and a bachelor's degree in Applied Economics and Management from the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. He also holds three insurance designations focusing on claims and risk management. Beyond college and work, Chip has over 20 years of experience in leadership and board roles with local history and non-profit organizations, focusing on development and strategic planning.

Bethany Goodman joined McNeil & Co. in 2003 and currently serves as VP of Human Resources. Her first 3 years at McNeil were spent in the underwriting department where she held multiple positions before transferring over to the HR department in 2006. Bethany is responsible for leading the organization’s talent and human resources strategies. She handles the recruitment, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, wellness and the development of policies and procedures. She graduated from SUNY Canton with an Associate’s degree in Retail Business Management and went on to graduate from Le Moyne College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Katherine Niver has worked for McNeil and Co for 9 years.  She came to McNeil after starting her career in the environmental compliance/construction industry.  She graduated from Nazareth College in 2012 with a BA in Music and dual minors in American History and Ethnomusicology.  She then went on to receive her master's degree in American history from SUNY Cortland in 2014.  In her spare time, she works on her family's farm raising cattle and enjoys volunteering at her son's school.

Hilary Thornton is an Underwriting Training Specialist for McNeil & Company as of October 2024. In this role she works closely with our Underwriting Assistants to provide instruction and development for their daily job tasks including preparing, rating, and setting up renewal and new business accounts for issuance in the AdvenSure program. Hilary began her career at McNeil & Company in November of 2022 as an Underwriting Administrative Associate. As an Admin Associate, she collaborated with the underwriting team and agents to process new business applications and loss runs. She also developed many training resources for the Administration Unit Team. Hilary served as an Endorsement Specialist for McNeil from August of 2023 to October of 2024 where she analyzed and completed endorsement requests from brokers to make changes to insurance policies for the ESIP program. Prior to working for McNeil, Hilary earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science in 2017, and a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences 2020, both from SUNY Cortland. She also worked as a speech-language pathologist at multiple local schools. Additionally, Hilary participates in many local community initiatives including Puzzle Solver’s Autism awareness/advocacy organization, and serves as chair to the advisory board for the Salvation Army of Cortland.

Marvin Etheridge is the Vice President of Information Technology at McNeil & Co., a role he has held since 2022. With over 28 years of experience in the insurance and insurance technology space, he started his career as a data specialist in an underwriting unit for an MGA, quickly discovering his passion for technology within the industry. He spent 23.5 years at an insurance solutions startup that acquired an enterprise software solution for MGA’s, taking on a variety of roles including customer product support, product implementations, director of all solution services, and senior product manager. His extensive background gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of insurance and technology, helping to drive innovation and efficiency here at McNeil & Co. Living in Florida, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and takes full advantage of the outdoors, often participating in activities around the water.

Doug Adsit is a Claims Supervisor as of October 2024. He joined McNeil & Company in 2021 and has handled a range of different claims such as commercial auto, commercial property, cargo, and bodily injury. He currently oversees the commercial auto liability and general liability property damage claims in the McNeil book of business. Prior to working in insurance, he spent four years at CFCU, a local credit union, working as an Asset Recovery Specialist where he focused on delinquent and non-performing loans. Doug obtained a Bachelors degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from SUNY Oswego in 2015.

Bob Florio is a Territory Sales Manager that is responsible for business development in 5 states, including GA, FL, LA, MS, and AL. He recently earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation from The Institutes. In 2018 he graduated with honors from Rider University, majoring in Management & Leadership.

Ryan Hines is a claims adjuster with McNeil and started this position in June 2023. He is a multi-line adjuster with a focus in transportation claims. Ryan earned bachelor’s degree in business majoring in Risk Management and Insurance with a minor in Sales from SUNY Oswego in 2022. While he attended SUNY Oswego the major was first offered starting in 2020 and he was part of the first graduating class in their RMI program. He has joined the college’s RMI committee as an alumni at the school to keep a younger in field perspective for the board. He is a New York State Notary Public and worked at a credit union prior to starting his position with McNeil.

Risk Management Program Specialist with McNeil & Co. Working with the insurance company for 10 years to reduce loss exposure with various programs. Actively involved in educational opportunities within the industry to help meet the needs of clients. Also an active community member being a volunteer firefighter and EMT.

Sarah L’Hommedieu is an Underwriting Supervisor in McNeil’s AdvenSure Program. She joined McNeil in 2018 as a Policy Analyst. After about two years, she moved into a Team Lead Role managing the Policy Analysts. Eventually, she was looking for more of a challenge and moved into an Underwriting Assistant Team Lead Role and then into her role now. Sarah earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Binghamton University in 2016. She loves outdoors activities such as hiking so the AdvenSure program is a perfect fit for her.