Our People

Rachel Flores (BA '00, Mount Vernon Nazarene University) joined one of CIR's precursor companies, AIA, in 2000 and has been an account representative since 2002.

She works with alumni associations in the northeastern United States, many of these associations are members of the National Educational Alumni Trust (NEAT), an organization created in 1972 to provide alumni associations the means to offer insurance products to their constituents.

When Rachel is not working, she makes the most of her time by spending it with daughter. Rachel also enjoys photography, scrapbooking and leads a book club.

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 Kennedy (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 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.

Kathy Laabs (BBA '98, MBA '04 University of Iowa) has been an account representative since 2005. She works primarily with alumni associations in the northwestern 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 reading, cooking, and travelling.

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 Rumburg (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 a devoted Steelers football fan and enjoys scrapbooking and interior decorating on the weekends.