ABOUT US
Focused Insurance Strategies
We can help you see the process of buying commercial insurance through a different lens.
It doesn't have to be time consuming or confusing. At the end of the day, it all comes down to applying, marketing, and buying:
Applying
Your application is a reflection of your business.
To an underwriter, you are your application. You have more control over how they see you than you might think. Keeping an open dialogue with your broker while completing an application is vital to ensuring that underwriters see your firm in the best possible light.
The right insurance broker can help you craft the right message, and put it into terms an insurance company will appreciate.
Marketing
Getting in front of the right insurance carriers.
When determining which insurance carriers to market your application to, more is not always better. Take the time to talk about your exposures and your expectations. Selecting a targeted group of carriers to approach with your application will save you time, confusion, and money.
Having a broker that can get your application to the top of an underwriter's queue will ensure the best results.
Buying
Don't stop at a good price, it's all in the details.
The best price is a great place to start, but too many insurance buyers stop there. Not all insurance policies are created equal, and it's all in the details. Take the time to make an educated decision about what the contract you're purchasing is intending to cover, and what it is not.
Having a broker that can communicate the differences from one carrier to the next will make the decision seem simple.
Our Team
John D. Farris
Partner | 704.771.1295 | jfarris@assurtrak.com
John Farris is the founder of Assurtrak Insurance Brokers, LLC. Born and raised in northern Virginia, John moved to Chicago, Illinois shortly after he graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in Business Administration. John found his passion for commercial insurance working as a professional liability broker for a highly specialized brokerage in downtown Chicago, where he learned the professional liability insurance business from the ground up.
John moved to the Charlotte, North Carolina area in 2015 where he founded Assurtrak. He currently resides in the Charlotte, North Carolina metro area with his wife Amanda, two daughters Addison Lee and Lila Marie, and the family's Chocolate Lab, Carson.
Eugene P. Hooff, Jr.
Partner | 678.545.8096 | gene@assurtrak.com
Gene is a Partner at Assurtrak Insurance Brokers, LLC. His experience of nearly 15 years has shown that a partnership with his clients results in the best outcome for all. That tenet is the basis of the foundation of Gene's practice. Gene has rich experience with professional service firms, design professionals, restaurants and real estate portfolios. Regardless of your industry, however, if you are passionate about your business, Gene is ready and eager to assist.
Gene resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wonderful wife, Megan, two sons, Lassiter and Wilder, and Spoons, their Wheaten Terrier.
Michael J. Zera
Partner | 847.284.0424 | mzera@assurtrak.com
Michael is a Partner at Assurtrak Insurance Brokers, LLC. He has more than a decade of commercial specialty lines insurance experience. Michael has a passion for building relationships in every facet of his life. With his clients, it's no different; their needs come first and he takes pride in a very personal approach.
Michael resides in Chicago, IL and when he is not working, you can find him spending time with his wife Katie, daughter Layla, twins Mark and Dylan, or on a golf course.
Jacqueline R. Zubak
Partner | 630.291.0006 | jzubak@assurtrak.com
Jackie is a Partner at Assurtrak Insurance Brokers, LLC. She has over a decade of experience in finance and specialty lines commercial insurance brokerage. Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and carriers has been the platform for her success, and client advocacy the core. Jackie enjoys traveling and many recreational activities like golf, tennis, hiking, cross country skiing, boating, and especially walking her 13 year old dog Maeve.
Jackie resides in Chicago, Illinois with her husband Aaron and three children Estella, Myles, and Portia.
Lillian A. Hitch
Senior Operations | 704.370.9247 | lhitch@assurtrak.com
Llllian graduated from North Carolina State University and has interned for the United States Attorney's Office of the Eastern District or North Carolina as well as the American Apparel and Footwear Association in Washington D.C.
Lillian joined Assurtrak in 2018 and currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Evan and their beloved Aussiedoodle Josie.
Ryan E. Dixon, CPA
Director of Strategic Finance | 704.750.0312 | rdixon@assurtrak.com
Ryan was born and raised outside of Baltimore, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland obtaining bachelor degrees in both accounting and finance. After college, Ryan spent ten years with a big four accounting firm within their assurance practice. Ryan primarily focused on helping publicly traded companies with technical accounting and finance matters.
Ryan joined Assurtrak in 2021 and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Kari, son Grady, daughter Everly, and the family's three dogs, Raven, Remi, and Dobby.
Austin G. Bok
Senior Broker | 804.814.1739 | abok@assurtrak.com
Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Austin graduated from the University of South Carolina with degrees in Insurance/Risk Management and Investment Finance. His education, combined with his professional experience, arms Austin with a multi-faceted insurance skillset that offers organizations a refreshing approach to risk management.
Outside his career, Austin enjoys spending time with his wife and two dogs, cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, smoking meats on his Big Green Egg, and playing golf.
Austin J. Medall
Operations | 704.965.1801 | amedall@assurtrak.com
Austin ("AJ") was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and attended the University of Mississippi, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Risk Management and Insurance. After college, AJ spent nine years in the mortgage industry, working in sales, operations, and management roles.
AJ joined Assurtrak in 2024 and outside of work, he spends his time playing soccer, pickle ball, and golf. Also, you can often find AJ at a Charlotte FC match or attending concerts.
Bradley D. Herlan
Broker | 716.491.7260 | bherlan@assurtrak.com
Bradley was raised in Buffalo, New York and attended Michigan State University. After college, Bradley moved to Chicago, Illinois and joined a recruitment agency specializing in procurement and supply chain planning at the executive level. HIs strong passion for helping business solve complex problems led Bradley to the insurance industry.
Bradley joined Assurtrak in 2024. Outside of work, you will find Bradley spending time with friends by Lake Michigan, exercising, or on the golf course.
Ryan K. Clinton
Independent Broker | 517.256.4903 | rclinton@assurtrak.com
Ryan Clinton was born in Lansing, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. After college he worked at a small personal lines insurance agency in Michigan, before moving to New York City. There he worked for a large international insurance brokerage specializing in Property Casualty and Lawyers Professional Liability.
Ryan joined Assurtrak in 2016 and currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his family.