Approachable. Dedicated. Caring.
These are just some of the attributes of our executive team. At Pearl Companies, the leadership starts with a philosophy that engages and cares. Starting at the top, everyone lives our culture, mission, and values at Pearl Companies. Plus, there’s an open-door policy so it’s not unusual for employees to see these top-level executives in the hallways, who stop to say hello. Our leadership teams are extremely approachable and truly care about our employees.
Meet Our Executives
Gary Pearl
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Gary joined Pearl in 1985 and has served as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pearl Companies since 1998. Gary provides the Pearl team with a wealth of insurance knowledge and experience, which he developed during his years working in various sales, marketing, and operations divisions both at Pearl and with CIGNA Insurance Company, where he started his career. He remains deeply involved in every aspect of the business and is committed to continuing Pearl’s tradition of innovation. Gary was the 2000 President of the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA).
Dennis Dietrich
President – Pearl Companies & Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dennis joined Pearl Companies in 2005 and serves as President–Pearl Companies & Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He has a successful background in financial, strategic planning, direct marketing, and mergers and acquisitions. And, as President–Pearl Companies & Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Dennis oversees the execution of strategy and managing the operations of the Pearl Companies.
Lisa Hoogerwerf
Chief People Officer (CPO)
Lisa is the Chief People Officer (CPO) at Pearl Companies. She joined our team in August of 2012. In her role, she provides strategic leadership and consulting support for all HR management functions for Pearl Insurance and Pearl Technology. These functions include, but are not limited to, compensation, recruitment and retention, employee relations, training, performance management, succession planning and talent management/development, goal setting, policy and procedure development, benefits, wellness initiatives, and legal and regulatory compliance. Along with holding a Professional Human Resource (PHR) Designation, Lisa has spent more than 20 years working in HR, with more than half of that time in a leadership position.
Gary Hickey
President – Pearl Insurance & Chief Sales Officer (CSO)
Gary has over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and has worked for Pearl Insurance and its predecessors for more than 30 years. In his role as President–Pearl Insurance & Chief Sales Officer (CSO), Gary oversees the sales, marketing, account relations, and operations of our union-based association clients and our Personal Insurance Division. He also leads sales initiatives for our Affinity Life and Health Insurance Division. Gary is a member of the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) and the American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators (AIPAGIA).
Jeff Palmer
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
As Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Jeff manages all of the information technology operations for Pearl Insurance, including both Peoria and Albany locations. With a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and more than 20 years of experience in information technology, Jeff manages Pearl Insurance’s information systems through innovation and ingenuity. He oversees all software development and systems support, infrastructure and help desk, business intelligence, and IT project management services. Jeff also passionately trains talented internal developers to be at the forefront of technology, ensuring Pearl’s systems remain current and secure. He is also a member of Pearl’s Strategic Leadership Team.
Shannon Warner
Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer (CMSO)
With more than 20 years of professional experience in insurance sales and marketing, Shannon joined the Pearl Companies team in 2013, serving as our Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer (CMSO). In this role, he manages and directs the marketing initiatives of the organization, including the Life and Health Affinity and Business Insurance divisions. Shannon is also responsible for Client Management, working with our team of specialized professionals to exceed the needs of all those we serve. His career experience includes serving as Head of Sales for AIG Benefit Solutions and Senior Vice President of Marketing for Marsh, Inc.’s Affinity Group Services. Shannon also serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA).
Elizabeth Meyer
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Elizabeth (Liz) has an extensive background in human resource management, which she further developed when joining Pearl Insurance in 2003. As Chief Operating Officer (COO), Liz oversees daily functions to ensure organizational effectiveness and continually improve client service capabilities. Liz plays a key role in supporting the company’s mission and goals.