An insurance professional for over 25 years, Bob Knowles began his career in 1979 with the Hartford Insurance Company in Pittsburgh before moving to the company’s Philadelphia Regional Office as a Commercial Property and Casualty Underwriter. He joined Knowles Associates, a family business, in 1983 as Commercial Account Manager and became a principal in 1985. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, he is active in the Scranton community where he serves on the boards of directors of the Everhart Museum, the YMCA, Keystone College, the Waverly Community House and the Country Club of Scranton. He is also a member of the corporate board of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. His community service has also included terms on the boards of Junior Achievement, the Scranton Preparatory School and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the Country Club of Scranton and Metro Action, and was a member of the Alumni Board of Directors at his alma mater, Holy Cross.

In a career spanning more than 20 years with Knowles Associates, Susan Kelly has mastered almost every aspect of commercial lines insurance. Beginning as an account executive, she rose to become manager of the commercial lines department before moving into sales. Susan is a graduate of Lackawanna College with a degree in accounting and has earned designation as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute for CPCU, the insurance industry’s most respected professional recognition. She is President of the NE PA Chapter of CPCU's, serves on the Board of Director's of Dress for Success Lackawanna, and is a member of the NE PA Chapters of Professional Women in Construction and Executive Women's Golf Association.

Todd Zimmerman, AIS
Commercial Lines Sales
tzimmerman@knowlesins.com

Before joining Knowles Associates in 1994 as a Commercial Lines Producer, Todd Zimmerman spent several years in the insurance industry and has attained designation as an Associate in Insurance Services (AIS). Responsible for client management and production, he is deeply involved in the day-to-day coordination of services to many of Knowles Insurance key commercial clients. A graduate of Liberty University, he is active in his community as a member of the Clarks Green, Pennsylvania, Borough Council and as a volunteer coach for youth sports teams.

With over 25 years in accounting and systems management (9 of them with Knowles Associates) Lauren Benner has been a leader in keeping Knowles Associates abreast of the latest management systems and insurance software. Her passion for learning and understanding agency management systems and her dedication to technology are felt in all aspects of the company’s development and growth. Using technology to improve customer service – a hallmark of Knowles Associates – is Lauren’s responsibility. A graduate of King’s College with a degree in accounting, she attends continuing education to keep up with changes in the insurance industry and developments in automation.

As an account executive and manager for commercial lines, Patty Hozempa works with some of Knowles Associates largest business accounts. An insurance professional for over 20 years, she holds a Property and Casualty License and a Life, Accident and Health License. A member of the National Association of Insurance Women, she has earned their coveted Certified Professional Insurance Woman (CPIW) designation. Through regular attendance at continuing education seminars and programs, Patty stays current with changes in the industry to keep Knowles Associates in the forefront of commercial lines insurance providers.