Jerry Batt's Professional Background

After graduating from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Marketing, I enrolled in the Max. M. Fisher School of Business Executive Leadership Program at Ohio State University. Upon completion of my studies, I embarked on a career in executive management, accepting a position with Huber, Harger, Welt & Smith. Serving as a Sales Executive, I was responsible for launching the company’s Employee Benefits division, the first of many professional accomplishments to come. During the five years I spent at Huber, Harger, Welt & Smith, I achieved annual sales increases of 100 percent, departing with the knowledge and confidence to establish my own business. Kurivial, Ball & Batt Insurance was the result of my entrepreneurial efforts, and after directing daily activities for a period of time, I was presented with the opportunity to merge the company with Erie Coast Agency, resulting in the formation of a new company, Ohio Benefits Group. I retained my executive duties, as I was still involved with the firm’s operations. Following the initial merger, Cavalear Insurance and Heritage Insurance Services expressed interest in a partnership, and Ohio Benefits Group/Celaris Group was born. In the ensuing nine years, I served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the organization, developing and implementing a strategic marketing plan that fostered marked business growth. During my tenure as Ohio Benefits Group/Celaris Group, the company was ranked as Ohio’s fastest growing insurance agency, and I left knowing my contributions laid the groundwork for the company’s continued success. Stepping into the dual roles of President and Chief Executive Officer at Sky/Huntington Insurance, I oversaw a talented and dedicated team of 450 employees, expanding the firm and garnering yearly sales revenue of $15 million. Currently, I serve as President of Neace Lukens’ Employee Benefits sector, utilizing my extensive experience to create customized, cost-effective insurance plans for my clients.

Neace Lukens named one of the best places to work in Kentucky

I am the President of employee benefits at Neace Lukens, a private insurance broker founded in 1991 that currently operates out of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee. The company also has satellite locations around the country. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Neace Lukens was recently named one of the best places to work in the state by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management, and the Best Companies Group. One of the largest insurance brokers in the United States, Neace Lukens remains dedicated to the well-being of its employees, instituting excellent workplace policies that have led to an incredibly high level of employee satisfaction. To be considered for the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” program, companies are required to have at least 25 employees located in Kentucky; maintain for-profit, non-profit, or government entity status; be publicly or privately held; possess facilities in Kentucky; and have been conducting business for more than one year. Neace Lukens joins 63 other companies around Kentucky recognized in the 2010 competition. For five years, the program has been honoring companies that strive to uphold positive working conditions and encourage employee happiness. Once a company has been nominated, it is evaluated according to policies, practices, and demographics. The second part of the contest, which is weighted more heavily than the first, consists of an employee survey that evaluates individual experiences. Neace Lukens is unique among other competitors because it has grown so rapidly, currently claiming more than 500 employees serving in 12 distinct markets. The insurance broker, however, has always been committed to finding employees who fit in well with its mission and prides itself in keeping them pleased. The official awards ceremony took place this past April at the Lexington Convention Center.