The Connecticut Surety Association
About Us
Holly Lynch, AFSB, ARM, AIS, CRIS, CPCU
President
Since joining Lockton in 2008, Holly has earned various designations and gained account experience in several industries while working with a diverse group of clients. Holly specializes in working closely with contract and commercial clients to provide a comprehensive surety program tailored to their specific needs.
(860) 678-4054
Scott T. Bengston
Vice President
Scott is currently an Account Executive Officer for The Travelers Insurance Companies, specializing in the contract surety business, with responsibilities for accounts throughout New England. Upon graduation from Providence College with a B.S. in Finance in 2010, Scott entered the insurance industry first working in the Braintree, MA Office and then the Hartford, CT Office, progressing to his current role. Scott is an avid basketball fan and currently resides in Wethersfield, CT.
(860) 954-9781
Elana V. Sanchez, CPCU, AFSB
Treasurer
Elana is currently a Surety Territory Manager for Nationwide’s Commercial Surety unit, responsible for underwriting the current book of commercial surety business and for developing new opportunities throughout the Northeast region, focusing on the New England Territory. Elana has over 18 years of surety experience, bringing to Nationwide knowledge from roles both with carriers and brokers handling contract and commercial surety. Prior to joining Nationwide in 2015, Elana was a senior client service associate with Willis out of Hartford CT. She managed the entire book of accommodation business for the Northeast region which included marketing and placing new opportunities, managing existing accommodation business, in addition to managing large commercial program accounts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Berkeley College in West Paterson, NJ and has obtained the AFSB and CPCU designations.
(614) 769-9452
Ashley Sinclair
Secretary
Ashley is currently a Surety Underwriter for International Fidelity Insurance Company, a Member of IAT Insurance Group, focusing mostly in Contract Surety business throughout New England. Prior to her employment with IFIC, Ashley worked in the Life Insurance and Wealth Management industry doing the Marketing for a small family run firm before taking the position of a Client Services Specialist with Willis, out of Hartford, CT. It was with Willis where she got her start in the Surety Industry, learning the ins-and-outs of bonds and then moving into a Team Lead role along with managing a small renewal book of business. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Alfred University, in Alfred, NY, and is currently working towards her AFSB designation.
860-404-2205 x14
Peter E. Strniste, Jr.
Chairman of the Board/Board of Directors
Peter Strniste has served on the Board of the Connecticut Surety Association for over a decade. He is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP and dedicates his legal practice to construction and surety law, business litigation, and the negotiation of all types of construction contracts. He counsels clients on legal issues surrounding all aspects of construction projects and routinely represents clients in the Courts of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Peter also edits a construction blog called The Construction Law Zone. Check it out here http://www.constructionlawzone.com/.
(860) 275-8339