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Team Members

Matt Lanza

Matt Lanza

Matt Lanza, ARM, CRM, CIC, Managing Director. Matt specializes in risk management products and services in addition to traditional insurance options for both property and casualty and health and life. Matt’s expertise and insurance knowledge enable him to properly identify and evaluate exposures, analyze risk and risk tolerance, stratify and triangulate losses, and structure proper retention levels. Matt works with a wide range of industries varying in size and operations. Matt’s goal is to educate his clients and prospects on the most cost-effective approach to protecting their company’s assets and bottom line.

Prior to being acquired by The Hilb Group in 2018, Matt was the Executive Vice President and co-founder of Knight International, a firm specializing in alternative risk and captive products. During his tenure, Matt lead Knight to becoming one of the top 25 largest insurance agencies and top 25 fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts. This growth success was attributed to understanding his client’s needs, bringing them creative and cost-effective solutions, and providing a high level of knowledge and service. Matt began his career in 1990 with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Matt also spent the early part of his carrier working abroad at Lloyds of London, learning the design and implementation of alternative risk transfer techniques.

Matt holds an Associate in Risk Management, Certified Risk Manager and Certified Insurance Counselor designation. He received his B.A. in Business Administration from University of New Hampshire.

Jeannette Lanza

Jeannette Lanza

Jeannette Lanza, Vice President.  Jeannette has over 20 years of insurance experience, specializing in traditional and alternative insurance programs for small, medium and large clients in various industries.  Jeannette’s diverse background encompasses all three facets of the insurance industry; retail, wholesale and underwriting.  These facets have also incorporated many aspects of the insurance process inclusive of account services, production, marketing, accounting and management.

Jeannette’s lengthy career in the insurance industry includes past tenures as an Account Manager with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an Underwriter with FM Global, a Wholesale Broker with Thomas E. Sears, a Producer with Amity Risk Management Services and now an integral part of the Knight Management team.

Jeannette currently holds her property, casualty, health and life license.



Burton Palmer

Burton Palmer

Burton Palmer, Controller. Burt began his career with Charles T. Main, Engineering in 1979 serving as an Accounting Specialist on Power Plant construction. A few years later, Burt entered the banking industry as a Reconciling Supervisor with Bank of New England which was later purchased by Fleet Bank. As Burt’s tenure grew so did his duties and responsibilities; finishing his banking career as a Community Bank Analyst specializing in branch consolidations and cost reduction. Once the Fleet Bank merger was complete Burt moved back to Boston and became the Accounting Supervisor then on to Assistant Controller and Assistant Vice President at MacIntyre, Fay and Thayer Insurance Agency in Norwell, Mass. where he was able to increase the bottom line by streamlining costs and implementing proper investment strategies. After 14 years with MF&T, Burt joined the Knight team in 2013 where he continues to apply his strong business management, accounting and analytical skills.

Burt is a graduate from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.



Ruth Gillan

Ruth Gillan

Ruth Gillan, Director of Employee Benefits. Ruth consults with Corporate employers and in the Health and Welfare arena on a variety of products, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, disability, stop-loss coverage, and consumer-driven healthcare products. Ruth and her team assist both fully insured and self-insured clients in the areas of negotiating benefit pricing, providing market analysis of products, evaluating managed care access and cost-effectiveness, and developing and assistance with compliance issues including ERISA, DOL compliance HIPPA, COBRA, PPACA, and other laws and regulations.

Before joining Knight International in 2012, Ruth spent eight years with GBG Consulting Services overseeing and servicing more than 35 Taft Hartley funds throughout the country and over 100 lines of coverage in the corporate marketplace. Ruth also worked for Provident Life and Accident as a Disability Specialist, Guy Carpenter as a Reinsurance Intermediary and Rogers Benefit Group representing national carriers such as Principal Financial Group, Met Life and Aetna. Ruth has spoken nationally on Consumer-Driven Healthcare, Impact of ACA on Benefits and has been a presenter on Stop Loss at The International Foundation Employee Benefit Plans and Made in America.

Ruth received her BS in Human Services from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and currently holds her MA health and life insurance license.



Anthony DiIeso, Area Vice President | P&C

Anthony DiIeso

Anthony DiIeso is a dynamic and energetic risk management professional with more than 20 years of experience successfully helping clients to positively impact their bottom line while building lasting relationships. Mr. DiIeso’s experience extends from servicing an array of fortune 500 companies to main street America in both public and private sectors. Anthony uses data analysis to drive decisions to incorporate risk mitigation strategies and process improvements to reduce clients’ Total Cost of Risk (TCOR). Mr. DiIeso provides strategic planning with the emphasis on scalable and sustainable creative solutions. Anthony has been servicing clients for more than 10 years with Third Party Administration (TPA) claim and lost control services providing:

  • Lost cost and risk/claims analysis to uncover trends and claims management performance
  • Predictive analytics to extract meaningful data to uncover loss control needs
  • Program structure and oversight
  • Litigation management
  • Medical Programs support and performance
  • Data analysis to determine appropriate retention levels and potential development factors

His 360-degree approach to risk reduction providing his clients with pre/post loss mitigation and continuous improvement strategies. Anthony works closely with his clients to ensure risk management services are designed to meet their specific needs and the appropriate disciplines are utilized resulting in the greatest return on investment.

Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Ergonomics and Work Environment from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. He is an Occupational Therapist (OT), Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) and is working towards his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.

Sharon Van Pelt

Sharon Van Pelt

Sharon Van Pelt, Senior Account Manager. Sharon has over 30 years of experience in employee benefits administration. Prior to joining Knight International in 2012, Sharon spent six years with GBG Consulting Services as the Client Service Manager and twenty-two years with Corcoran and Associates as a Senior Benefits Administrator.

Sharon’s product knowledge, communication skills and commitment to customer service and client relations is what drives her success.

Sharon received her Associate's Degree from Fisher College in Business Administration and currently holds her MA Health and Life license.




Samantha Desmond

Samantha Desmond

Samantha Desmond, Account Manager. Samantha is part of the Taft Hartley service team who oversees the underwriting, marketing and servicing of the NLA stop-loss program. Samantha also provides administrative support to Knight's management team.

Prior to joining Knight International in 2012, Samantha worked for Boston Mutual Insurance Company for over 10 years as a case coordinator. Samantha’s strong people skills, team dedication and high commitment level to customer service are what makes her an asset to any organization.

Samantha currently holds her MA Health and Life license.

 

 

Chris Petrie

Chris Peters

Chris Petrie, CLCS, CPIA, CRIS, Account Executive. Chris specializes in both traditional commercial property and casualty insurance and alternative risk financing techniques for small, medium, and large clients across multiple industries. His dedication to understanding clients’ needs, combined with a thirst for insurance education and knowledge, allows him to design, implement, and deliver the most cost-effective solutions available in the marketplace. Chris’s strong understanding of the risk management process has proven extremely valuable to his clients. Prior to joining Knight International in 2013, he spent four years as a financial consultant for R.M. Petrie & Associates and eight years with the Boston investment firm Cowen and Company as an equity sales trader.

Chris is a graduate of Hobart College in New York, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He currently holds his MA Property and Casualty license, the Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist Designation from The National Underwriter Company, the Certified Professional Insurance Agent Designation from The American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society, as well as the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist Designation from The International Risk Management Institute.

 

Sam Cappola

Sam Cappola

Sam Cappola, Account Executive. Sam is a creative and resourceful risk management executive with over 20 years of diverse professional experience. Sam’s expertise is focused on client relationship building, leadership, and selling enterprise solutions and services to clients. He has a proven track record of generating new business and driving revenue growth as an individual contributor and leader.

Before starting with Knight International in 2018, Sam began his career as a Regional Manager for a large architectural product manufacturer. He was responsible for establishing the North American sales force, marketing, finance, and product distribution team. After several years in this arena, he transitioned to wealth management and the financial industry. He established financial planning models, focusing on protection, savings, growth, and distributions of assets for individuals and businesses. Sam holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, University of Phoenix, Boston, MA, and a Bachelor of Science, Architectural Engineering Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA. Licenses and certifications: Series 6 Registered Representative, Life & Health Insurance, property, casualty, and Unrestricted General Contracting.

 

Pauling Huynh

Pauling Huynh

Pauling Huynh, Senior Account Executive and Captive Service Manager for Zakim Health. Pauling manages corporate clientele in the traditional group health insurance market as well as managing the Zakim Health Captive. Zakim Health serves the mid-size marketplace seeking alternative funding solutions. Pauling works with her team to provide market analysis, cost containment strategies, benefit design and placement and pricing negotiations to help clients find solutions in both the fully and self-funded marketplace. Keeping clients up to date on compliance affecting healthcare, industry trends, and high-quality servicing of clients is her priority. Prior to joining Knight International in 2017, Pauling worked in the healthcare industry, where she gained hands-on clinical experience in the medical field. Pauling then transitioned into the insurance industry with Cigna as a Proposal Manager, where she spent several years working with sales and underwriting to retain and drive new business. After Cigna, Pauling became a Benefits Consultant with Rogers Benefit Group, where she ran the Massachusetts sales office, establishing and maintaining broker relationships through a consultative approach in education through innovative products exclusive in the marketplace. Here she gained expertise in renewal analysis, policy recommendations, administration, and enrollment process/meetings.

Pauling received her B.S. in Business Management from Central Connecticut State University and currently holds her M.A. health and life insurance license.

 

Natalie Austin

Natalie Austin

Natalie Austin, Personal Lines Account Manager. Natalie has over 15 years of experience in personal lines insurance. Prior to joining Knight in 2019, Natalie worked with the Anchor Group, Morse and the Holman Insurance Agencies where she handled a large diverse group of businesses including high net worth clients. Natalie prides herself in customer service and assisting clients in identifying their risk and protecting their net worth in the most cost-effective way possible.

Natalie is an Airforce veteran and graduate from Quincy College. She also holds her MA property and casualty license.







Kelly Stanton

Kelly Stanton

Kelly Stanton, Account Manger. Kelly has over 7 years of Commercial and Personal Lines insurance experience most recently specializing in Flood mapping and placement. She consistently applies her enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for insurance to all her client interactions.

Prior to joining Knight International in 2021, Kelly began her insurance career with Flavin and Flavin during the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. There she successfully worked with clients as well as The City of Quincy to educate, mitigate, map and secure elevation certificates to over 250 local residence.

Later, Kelly went on to work with Eastern Insurance Group where she expanded her overall industry and coverage knowledge. Her career has a proven record of excelling in service and management of new and existing accounts. Her personal attention to each client and outgoing personality has helped her to build a positive reputation in the insurance industry and long-lasting relationships with clients.

Kelly received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Salem State College. Kelly is also a Notary Public and currently holds her Massachusetts and Florida property and casualty license.