About Us
Jim Conlon
President
After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Jim began a twenty-year tenure with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). He started in a field sales position, handling both local and national accounts. He was promoted to Sales Manager for a Health Maintenance Organization which later became HMO Blue, and later was named Managing Director for both the Springfield and Worcester Regional Offices. In this position, Jim had overall responsibility for all sales, account and member service functions throughout the Western and Central Massachusetts regions.
Jim's work at BCBS was as much an education as a job, providing him with a thorough understanding of both health care financing and health care insurance, as well as the complicated relationship between providers and insurers. He enriched his experience by earning distinction as a Certified Health Consultant from the Krannert Graduate School of Management at Purdue University.
In the mid-'90s, Jim took the leap and became an independent broker, inspired by the desire to build personal relationships with clients and help them find solutions in a complex industry. Building his own firm allowed Jim to set down professional roots in his hometown of Amherst, after years of working in Springfield, Worcester, and Boston.
It also gave him the opportunity to partner with another independent agency, Encharter (formerly Blair, Cutting & Smith), in order to draw on the strengths of each organization. In time Jim has grown J.F. Conlon & Associates into a reputable agency, helping large and small employers throughout the Pioneer Valley manage their employee benefit programs.
Jim maintains a close watch on the local healthcare environment through his participation as an advisory board member of two major health insurance carriers.
Jim currently lives in Wilbraham with his wife Carol. They spend their free time enjoying friends and family, and they travel seeking beautiful ocean beaches and challenging golf courses.
April Williams
Sales Executive
April Williams is a Sales Executive at J.F. Conlon & Associates. She is a state licensed independent insurance agent with 11 years of professional experience in the healthcare insurance field.
April has played an active role with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, where she served as a Board Member, Chair of the Ambassadors Committee and as the administrator for the Chamber Health Insurance Plan. She is currently Chair of the Chamber Annual Awards Dinner. Additionally, April is actively involved with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Amherst Rotary.
April graduated summa cum laude from Bay Path College with a bachelor's degree in Executive Management. She resides in Northfield, Massachusetts with her husband, Gayle, and their children.
Rebecca Eckert
Account Executive
Rebecca Eckert is a state licensed independent insurance agent. In her capacity as Account Executive at J.F. Conlon & Associates, Rebecca assists small group employers with their healthcare insurance needs. She also serves as the administrator of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored health insurance program.
Rebecca draws upon over 4 years of industry experience, as well as 13 years of customer service expertise, in her everyday work with employer groups and individual business owners. She is actively involved with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Program Committee and has started the Chamber A+ Leads Group. She has recently become involved with the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce.
Rebecca earned her bachelor's degree from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona and now resides in her hometown of Easthampton, Massachusetts. In her free time, she volunteers for the United Way and Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society.
In Our Clients' Words:
"J.F. Conlon & Associates has been extremely responsive to not only our insurance needs but also has been there to help us understand the changes in the employee healthcare laws and walk us through complex employee situations. Their knowledge and commitment to service has been invaluable to us!"
Charlene Waite
James Levine & Associates, PC
"J.F. Conlon & Associates have always provided us with exemplary service; researching and comparing area insurance premiums, educating our staff in the reasons for premium fluctuations and always being available to assist with questions, and guiding us through the bureaucratic maze of red tape."
Michael W. Schafer, P.E.
Schafer Engineering Associates &
Huntley Associates, P.C.
"J.F. Conlon & Associates has taken the time to know the employees of Historic Deerfield and offer products that are best suited for the employee as well as employer. They are always available to address any interim needs and provide updates on the insurance industry that will affect Historic Deerfield. We are very satisfied with J.F. Conlon & Associates and would recommend taking the time to meet with April and Jim to learn about their services."
Susan Martinelli
Historic Deerfield
"It is a pleasure working with J.F. Conlon & Associates for our health insurance needs. Rebecca has guided us well through the ups and downs of what can be a confusing process. Having an expert on health insurance in my corner means I don't need to become one myself, allowing me to focus on the business."
Youssef Fadel
New England Promotional Marketing
"J.F. Conlon & Associates always responds to questions and concerns about our insurance needs in a timely manner, and provides informative answers and useful recommendations."
Peter Ziomek
Ziomek & Ziomek, Attorneys at Law