Across industries, a new generation of leaders is bringing a fresh perspective to business today. Here, MBA Next Generation Advisory Board Member Jack Bloomstine, age 29, a client executive and a part of the next generation at Insurance Management Company/ A HUB International Company in Erie, shares his thoughts on leadership, the insurance industry and how benefits fit into the broader business picture for attracting and retaining top talent.
You are often identified as a “next generation leader” in the insurance industry. Tell us about your education and decision to go into the insurance business.
Commercial business insurance truly runs in my family as I am a fourth-generation insurance broker. Growing up around the business, I was exposed early to the values of hard work, integrity and the importance of building long-term client relationships.
After graduating from Cathedral Prep in 2015, I went on to earn a degree in economics from the University of Dayton in 2019. While in college, I kept an open mind about my career path and wanted to explore opportunities beyond the family business before committing. My father encouraged me to spend the summer of 2019 working at the company, and that experience ultimately solidified my decision to continue full-time, which has been the best decision I have made to date.
Describe your job role today.
My current role encompasses several responsibilities — all centered around servicing and advocating for our clients. I work closely with clients to help them navigate claims, emerging liabilities and challenges as they arise and to ensure their insurance evolves as their business does.
A significant part of my role is managing and negotiating policy renewals. From Day One, my father and grandfather instilled the importance of approaching renewals with a strong sense of responsibility and advocacy. They always told me, “It is not our money” and treat every negotiation for your clients as it were your own business. That mindset ensures we are always working in our clients’ best interests and consistently delivering on our promise of service beyond expectations. From the moment a client calls, our goal is to provide timely, knowledgeable responses and to ensure they feel supported, informed and confident in the guidance they receive. We have a sense of urgency with everything.
Insurance Management merged with another private company HUB International in 2024 — a major milestone. From your perspective, what has this transition meant for you and your team?
The merger with HUB has been a positive transition for both our team and me. Almost overnight, we went from a 27-person organization to being part of a network of more than 18,000 professionals nationwide. That scale provides access to resources we previously did not have, including enhanced market access, expanded loss control capabilities and a deep bench of specialists across the country. If we’re working through a complex account or a niche industry challenge, there is always someone within HUB willing to jump on a call, share insight and help us think strategically. When we were looking to partner up, we quickly learned that as a standalone firm we would never have been able to make these quantum leaps (for example Hub has its own proprietary AI platform). We truly saw us getting left behind, so we took action.
Through HUB, your clients now have access to a broad range of employee benefits solutions. What does this include?
When we were a standalone entity, we never ventured into employee benefits. There is no way you can be a well-schooled property and casualty agent, as well as an employee benefits expert at the same time; HUB proved that for me. Now, it’s all here — from health plans to retirement and 401K, compliance, HR consulting, M&A assistance, all in one cohesive effort to help clients recruit, retain, support and engage their employees.
You are also an active member of The MBA’s Next Gen Advisory Board. What is your advice to young professionals when it comes to leadership and growth?
From a leadership standpoint, my advice to young professionals is to treat all criticism as constructive criticism and view it as an opportunity to grow. Early in my career, it was easy to believe I had the answers or that my way was the best or only way. I quickly learned that the more open I was to advice and guidance, the faster I learned.
From an opportunity and professional growth standpoint, I encourage young professionals to take full advantage of every networking and educational opportunity available to them.
For more information, visit hubinternational.com.
