Meet the Experts
Customers can expect a team effort in meeting their individual insurance and financial planning needs. Here are the professionals that will be providing the solutions that you, your family, or your business requires.
Ben Bowers
President,
Business Insurance Specialist
Extension: 115
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4000
Email Ben
Hi, I'm Ben. I try to run this place and sell a little insurance when possible.
I don't much like golf and have no other hobbies to speak of except really, really enjoying life. It helps that I have a fun and very tolerant wife whom, after 36 years of marriage, is still my best buddy. I have wonderful children and grandchildren, a farm with a bunch of furry, smelly animals, and 40 acres of woods I can work and play in and usually not get injured...AND great friends I can get in trouble with. On top of all that, I get to come to work with the best crew ever.
Gene Francisco
Executive Vice President
Commercial Lines,
Business Insurance Specialist
Extension: 106
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4004
Email Gene
I've been a commercial agent at The Bowers Agency since 1981, and became a partner a few years later. That doesn't make me old, just experienced! I am a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business. Prior to joining Bowers I was a Marketing Representative with Hartford Insurance Company. I live in Cortland with my wife Michele and two of our four children. The other two have strayed from the nest. I have no interests outside of insurance....by the way, are you looking for land in Florida? Actually, I enjoy golf as a participant and almost any other sport as a spectator....I draw the line at soccer.
Mike Hillman
Executive Vice President
Personal Lines,
Personal Insurance Specialist
Extension: 124
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4024
Email Mike
I worked for Bowers part-time out of high school. I was made a partner in 1997. I oversee our Personal Insurance Department and sell commercial insurance. I am also a commercial pilot. I average about one flight day a week and I am able to work on insurance accounts while I am on the ground between flights. I enjoy flying, woodworking and going out with friends. I have a beautiful wife, Marie, who is not only our Financial Controller at Bowers, but almost keeps me in line too.
Matt Parise
Partner,
Commercial Account Producer
Extension: 136
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4040
Email Matt
I am a 1998 graduate of Ohio University, where, after an exceptionally fun-filled four years of college, earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I then joined Cooper Industries and held various positions throughout the Midwest. I returned to my hometown in 2003 to join The Bowers Agency and achieved partnership in 2007. I specialize in Business Insurance and serve clients across the country. When time permits, I enjoy fly-fishing, golf and socializing with friends. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Kristen, and have three incredible children.
Joe Augustine
Director of Business Development
Email Joe
My work with Bowers as Director of Business Development allows me to interact with a myriad of interesting people and constantly share the progressive attitude and business savvy of this great company. We really do offer ‘real solutions for the real world.’ Telling the Bowers story comes pretty easy. It’s just a matter of building relationships. And after more than 30 years of performing for audiences around the world as a jazz pianist, communicating is very natural for me. As a Steinway Artist, I have the opportunity to tour the world playing my arrangements of classic jazz standards as well as my own compositions. I have also been appointed Artist in Residence in the jazz studies program at The University of Akron. So I guess I live a pretty full and active life as an artist, teacher, and goodwill ambassador for the best insurance team anywhere.
P.S. If you'd like to learn more about the music side of my life, log on to joeaugustine.com when you have the opportunity. Thanks.
Michele Francisco
Commercial Account Executive
Extension: 112
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4006
Email Michele
My insurance career began at The Pottinger Insurance Company located in Dayton, Ohio in 1986. In 1988, I moved back to my home town and began working at The Bowers Agency as a Customer Service Agency in the Commercial Lines Department. My husband, Gene and I were married in 1998, which led to a 10 year leave from the agency. I was blessed to be able to raise Gene's three children Heidi, Jeff and Abey along with my son Mark. Those 10 years were filled with attending a lot of sports activities, school functions and traveling a lot for competition dance. In October 2007, I returned to the agency.
Rick Franks
Multi-Line Producer
Email Rick
I Joined the Bowers Insurance Agency February 2008.Twenty-two years of previous experience in property/casualty and life, health and annuity sales with Metlife and Peoples Security Insurance. Twenty years of management experience in insurance and the restaurant industry. Forte is service, knowledge and loyalty to my clients. Widowed in 1994. Received two degrees from The Ohio State University 1977(BA history BS education) Member of the President's Club at OSU (provide three scholarships in music each year through an endowment), and on the board of governors for the OSU Alumni Men's Glee Club. Hobbies include weightlifting, cycling, swimming, and participation in various musical groups around central Ohio-including a concert band, woodwind quintet, brass choir and the OSU Alumni Men’s Glee Club. My schnauzer (Johann Sebastian Franks) gets most of my free time these days, although I am patiently waiting for a wealthy older woman to sweep me off my feet.
Marie Hillman
Vice President, Tax Division,
Controller
Extension: 111
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4011
Email Marie
I have been with the Bowers Agency since 1995. I started my career here as receptionist and am currently the controller and systems coordinator (which, by the way, is my title and responsibility at home, although my hubby is not fully aware of that yet ). I've earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in taxation. In addition to helping individuals and small businesses deal with the often daunting task of taxes and finances.
Kathy Penn
Receptionist
Extension: 100
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4012
Email Kathy
My name is Kathyleen M. Penn. I am a middle-aged female who comes from a family of insurance agents. My father was a staff manager with Prudential Insurance and my mother was an agent for a local insurance agency. I am married, with two sons, ages 38 and 36. I have lived in Cortland for my entire life. I have been here at BIA since September 2000. I manage the front office and the telephones. I do like to run a tight ship. Maybe that is why I am known as Sarge.
Nick Popovich
Personal Risk Manager,
Personal Lines Manager
Extension: 102
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4025
Email Nick
I started my insurance career with Prudential in 1992 as a life producer. I came to the Bowers Agency in April of 1996 as a multi-lines producer. I then took the position of Personal Lines Manager, a position of which I still hold. I have been married to my wife Dionne for 19 years and have 3 children. When not working I enjoy running my children to baseball & softball activities. But my real enjoyment in life is winning a couple of lunches a year from Ben. I myself being an avid Steelers fan & Ben an avid Browns fan, need I say anything else.
Richard M. Rose
Operations Manager
Board of Directors
Extension: 107
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4010
Email Rick
After serving 5 years with the US Army as an Infantry Officer, I joined the agency in February of 1972. Through the years I have been a life, health, securities, and personal lines property and casualty producer. As an agency owner I was the corporate president from 1982-2003. Currently I am looking forward to joining my wife, Janet in retirement.
Carol Schiavone
Commercial Account Executive
Extension: 108
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4005
Email Carol
l joined the Bowers Agency in June of 2001 as a Commercial Account Executive, after 14 years as a Personal Lines Specialist with two other agencies. I am also licensed for Life and Health Insurance. My husband, Tony, and I have been married for 34 years and have 2 sons and 1 daughter. Our oldest son and daughter are married and we have 3 grandchildren. I enjoy reading, swimming and traveling as well as visiting with the grandkids every chance I get.
Carol Williams
Commercial Account Executive
Extension: 103
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4041
Email Carol
I began my insurance career in 1981 with the Bowers Agency and have been here ever since (I started when I was 3). This association only came about because the interview process did not uncover the fact that I am a Steelers fan (they have since adjusted to that). From the beginning, I distinguished myself as the only person able to decipher Ben's handwriting. I have been referred to as a workaholic but I owe much of that credit to my twin sister who comes in on the weekends. I did come to work while in labor with child number 3, but that was an accident (and so was she). I've been married to Frank, my college sweetheart, ever since graduating from Rutgers College (within two weeks of graduation if I remember correctly). I have three children: Brian, Ally and Alexis, and a neurotic dog and a cat (that thinks he's a dog). With those children comes an assortment of school and community activities. I currently help with the Howland High School Volleyball Boosters, St. Pius Bingo and am an assistant leader for Girl Scouts Troop #598. Don't ask me about what I used to do. I'm also a member of the Insurance Women of Trumbull County but I don't give blood; don't have any. Interests include remodeling my house and trying to talk my unwilling husband into going back to dancing lessons.
Nanette Williams
Personal Insurance Specialist
Extension: 114
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4026
Email Nanette
In 2003 I returned to the agency as a part time assistant for the Personal Lines division. I originally started at the agency right out of high school, we won't tell what year that was, and worked eight years at the agency before leaving to pursue other interests (if only I knew then what I know now). My outside interests include spending time camping and enjoying the outdoors with my husband. I can be found @ the agency, Monday thru Thursday, but don't expect to see me on Friday.
Tina Woofter
Commercial Account Executive
Extension: 110
Direct Dial: (330) 282-4042
Email Tina
As part of the commercial team at The Bowers Group, my goal is to make your insurance experience as pain-free as possible. With over 20 years of business management experience, I know too well the aches and pains of running a business. I have brought these experiences along with me to The Bowers Group and find them quite helpful while putting together a business plan that suits your needs.
Please call on me with any questions regarding commercial insurance. I'll find a way to get the job done for you - and you won't even need an aspirin. I look forward to meeting you!
Gerry Kane
Commercial Account Executive
Email Gerry
As a recent addition to The Bowers Group, my experience in the insurance field may be limited but my enthusiasm for working with my clients more than makes up for that. Plus, I have managed to stay married to the same woman now for over thirty-six years, which should count for something.
We have three sons (who have all flown the nest finally) and five grandchildren - to date. My wife and I feel that the "empty nest syndrome" is overrated and outweighed by the subsequently clean, tranquil, and pet-free environment we now call home. We enjoy dining out with friends, golfing, and the occasional visit from those people we now refer to as "relatives." We're not into disco, pina coladas, or getting caught in the rain, but if you're looking for customer service, I’m your man.