Our People

Katie Iannetta (BA '04 Mount Vernon Nazarene University) has been an account representative since 2007. She works with alumni associations in the mid-west.

She joined one of CIR's precursor companies, AIA, in 2005 as the Coordinator of Creative Development. The relationships she developed with clients in this position made her transition into the Sales and Client Relations department an easy one.

Katie is a marathon runner and spends much of her free time training. She is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys cooking, traveling and the arts.

Bernie (BA '72, MA '75 The Ohio State University) has been an account representative since 2006. She works with alumni associations in the southwest U.S., California, New York and South Carolina.

Before joining one of CIR's precursor companies, AIA, Bernie spent more than 15 years in alumni relations at UC San Diego and UT Memphis. During her careers as an educator, program coordinator, alumni director and independent consultant, she has lived in Columbus, Memphis, and San Diego but now lives in Charleston with her husband, Bubba, who shares a background in alumni work.

Bernie spends her free time golfing, volunteering and attending athletic events.

Tom (BS ’86, University of Oregon) joined CIR in 2009 to focus on student health and alumni insurance programs on the West Coast.

Prior to joining the CIR Sales & Client Relations team, Tom served as Assistant Vice President of National Accounts for Chase Education Finance. Before that he was the Director of Marketing and Membership for the University of Oregon Alumni Association, a long time CIR alumni client. Tom knows what it’s like to work on a college campus and considers himself a resource for his clients.

Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, running, reading and camping.

Kathy Laabs (BBA '98, MBA '04 University of Iowa) has been an account representative since 2005. She works primarily with alumni associations on the east coast and central United States.

Before joining one of CIR's precursor companies, AIA, Kathy spent more than seven years in alumni relations at the University of Iowa Alumni Association. While at Iowa, Kathy was an active member of the Council of Alumni Marketing and Membership Professionals and a volunteer Committee Chair for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Kathy spends her free time playing with her two daughters and reading and running when she gets the chance.

Ron Phillips (BS '69 University of Southern Mississippi) is Vice President of Sales and Client Relations. He works with alumni associations in the southern United States.

Before joining one of CIR's precursor companies, AIA, in 1998 Ron spent more than 30 years at the University of Southern Mississippi where he was the Executive Director of Alumni Affairs. He honed his insight into the insurance business when he served two terms as Chair of the National Educational Alumni Trust (NEAT).

Ron spends his free time with friends on the golf course and with his wife, Jimmie, enjoying their home in Asheville, North Carolina.

Hillary (BA '01 The Pennsylvania State University) has been an account representative since 2007. She works with alumni associations primarily in the mid-Atlantic.

Hillary joined AIA, one of CIR's precursor companies, in 2005 to coordinate the many internal procedures, client events, and communications that enable the Sales & Client Relations department to operate smoothly. Hillary came to AIA from Pittsburgh, where she worked in outreach programming for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

Hillary is devoted to family activities with her young son and husband. When she has time to herself, Hillary enjoys scrapbooking and reading.