Board of Directors

Photo From Left to right: Alan Reitz (Inspector I, City of Santa Barbara Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau), Carmen Danalevich, CIC, CISR, CPIW (Hub International), Michelle Saake, CISR (Hub International), Jillian Knight, CRIS (Westcap Insurance), Amanda Benner (Brown & Brown), Cynthia Acosta (Brown & Brown), Robert Mercado (Acting Battalion Chief, City of Santa Barbara Fire Department).

The current 2009-2010 IPSB Board of Directors now consists of the following members:

President – Jillian Knight, CRIS of Westcap Insurance Services, Inc
Jillian Knight, CRIS joined Westcap Insurance Services Inc as a Commercial Underwriter in March of 2008. She has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, previously as a Commercial Auto Insurance Agent with a local retail agency. Along with her insurance license, she also holds a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist designation. She is currently President of the Insurance Professionals of Santa Barbara, the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW). In the past, Jillian has volunteered for the Transition House of Santa Barbara, the Planned Parenthood Annual Book Sale, The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, the Tea Fire Relief effort and as a teacher’s aide at her daughter’s elementary school. She currently writes the Westcap Recap, a Newsletter for Westcap Insurance as well as creates advertisements that are distributed across the United States. Away from work and volunteering, Jillian enjoys spending time with her husband, Anthony, their two children Isabelle and Dominic, and their playful dog, Max.

Vice President – Carmen Danalevich, CIC, CISR, CPIW of HUB of CA Insurance Services
Carmen Danalevich, CIC, CISR, CPIW has been in the insurance industry for 30 years.  Currently her position is Senior Account Manager at HUB International. She has been an active member of IPSB for 23 years, serving on the Board as Treasurer, Vice President and President of IPSB.   She earned the award for Insurance Professional of the year in 1998 and also in 2009. Carmen has lived in Santa Barbara for over 26 years, has three daughters;   Deanna, who is a graduate of UCSB, and is now married and living in Alabama.  Jennifer; is a 2nd year student at Smith College in Northampton, Mass and the youngest, Julia-Rose a challenging 5th grader in S.B.   Carmen is engaged to Roy an options trader and real estate investor/developer.  Some favorite past times are watching movies, gardening, wine tasting, keeping fit and enjoying S.B. restaurants.

Secretary – Cynthia Acosta of Brown & Brown of California Inc
Cynthia Acosta is the Santa Barbara branch Executive Assistant at Brown & Brown of California, Inc.  She has been in the insurance industry for over 12 years and part of the IPSB team for the past 7 years.  She is currently the Chairperson for the IPSB Industry Night Committee.  This is her second (non-consecutive) term as Secretary. She has enjoyed working with her peers, both on a professional level and personal level and finds IPSB both fun and rewarding.  Cynthia loves to stay active. In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, golf course, tennis courts and pool. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara where she currently resides with her husband and four children.

Treasurer – Amanda Benner of Brown & Brown Insurance of California, Inc.
Amanda Benner is a account manager with Brown & Brown Insurance of California, Inc.  She has been in the insurance industry for over 2 years.  She chose insurance as a new career path after many years in real estate and mortgage.  She is currently the Treasurer of the Insurance Professionals of Santa Barbara handling all financial duties for the organization.  She has found it incredibly worthwhile to work with her fellow insurance professionals bettering the industry as a whole and helping the local community through charitable causes.  Amanda resides in Ventura with her husband and two children.

Past President – Michelle Saake, CISR of Ogilvy-Hill Insurance
Michelle Saake, CISR has been employed for 8+ years at Ogilvy-Hill Insurance, a company of HUB International, and currently holds the position of Assistant/Account Manager. She has been a member of the Insurance Professionals of Santa Barbara for 7 years; past positions include: Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President for two terms and President 2006-2007, numerous committees, and currently serving as Past President. Michelle is involved in several ministries in the local church parish, including teen-age religious education, and assisting at church services. She enjoys playing games, watching sports, needlepoint and spending time with her family. She has been married for 16 years, with one teen-aged daughter. Michelle’s husband is a self-employed handyman, and an ordained Deacon in the Church.