The key to delivering outstanding service is having experienced, knowledgeable, passionate people at the helm who are dedicated to achieving results.  We’re proud of these contributors to our success:

DEAN J. CARRAS, President

Dean Carras has spent more than 25 years in the insurance industry, focusing on special programs for restaurants. Early in his career he foresaw how concentration on a market niche creates value for policyholders—better coverage at lower prices.  As a result, Dean expanded his clientele to include more than 2,000 restaurants in three states. Creation of Restaurant Programs of America was the initial step in a dynamic plan to bring the benefits of his restaurant insurance expertise to restaurants throughout the United States. As someone who continually demonstrates results, Dean has earned the trust and confidence of restaurant owners around the country.

JEFFREY M. HALLMAN, Vice President/National Accounts

Jeff Hallman launched his career with a major insurance company more than 30 years ago. He specializes in large businesses with complex insurance needs—including multiple locations and unusual exposures—and understands the advanced techniques and special handling that such accounts demand. Jeff’s extensive experience with hospitality accounts is put to good use managing RPA’s national, multi-location restaurant accounts.

JUNE LEMONGELLO, Client Services Manager

June oversees marketing, underwriting, and all client service activities for RPA.  For over 25 years, she has specialized in taking care of the property/casualty insurance needs of restaurant clients.  June is a valuable resource and excels at following through to make sure your issues and needs are addressed promptly.

MARC FABRIZIO, Claims / Loss Control Manager

Since 1988, Marc has been intimately involved with claims management.  For over ten years, he was on the front lines of litigation defense, attending trials and arbitrations, conducting claims audits, and adjusting claims for major insurance companies and third party administrators.  Prior to joining RPA, Marc spent over six years with a major Third Party Administrator, managing twenty-five people and over five thousand claims.  Mark will be working with clients in developing and implementing loss control protocols, as well as assuring that we provide excellence and responsiveness in our delivery of claims service.

GUNDI HOFMANN-ABELL, Account Executive

Gundi Hofmann-Abell is an insurance professional with more than 15 years of commercial / industrial insurance experience.  She is a licensed insurance broker in more than 40 states throughout the country and manages RPA’s suburban Philadelphia branch office.  Gundi is committed to providing service to her clients “above & beyond expectations,” making sure that they receive the benefit of her unique approach to service and RPA’s risk management plans to reduce future insurance costs. 

DAVID S. HUFF, CPCU, Senior Account Executive

Dave Huff graduated from Indiana University in 1973 with a major in marketing and a minor in finance and earned his CPCU degree in 1980.  He quickly became a successful producer of property casualty insurance, specializing in larger, more complex accounts, using advanced risk management techniques.   After consulting on a technology project for an affiliated company, he joined RPA in 2005 as a Senior Account Executive, focused on a limited number of special clients.

THOMAS A. FITZGERALD – National Account Executive

Tom entered the insurance industry more than 20 years ago with a leading direct writer, followed by a successful 10 years as a Vice President of risk management with a national broker, and more recently as a marketing officer with a commercial reinsurer. Creative, flexible, and effective risk solutions are the tenets of his Restaurant and Hospitality customer relationships. Ever mindful of growth and service excellence, Tom’s management experience is an integral part of his commitment to representing Restaurant Programs of America’s business partners.