A New Era for Big I Illinois: Brett Gerger Appointed CEO as Phil Lackman Retires
SPRINGFIELD, IL — The landscape of the Illinois insurance industry is set for a significant transition. The Board of Directors of Big I Illinois, the state’s premier association for independent insurance agents, has officially announced the appointment of Brett Gerger as its new Chief Executive Officer. Gerger, who has been a cornerstone of the organization’s educational and resource divisions since 2019, will assume his new duties on July 1.
This leadership change marks the end of an era for the association, as Gerger succeeds the long-tenured Phil Lackman. Lackman’s departure comes after a storied 31-year career, during which he helped shape the regulatory and legislative environment for independent agents across the state. As the organization pivots toward this new chapter, it has also announced a broader restructuring of its executive leadership team, signaling a focus on both continuity and innovation.
The Main Facts: A Strategic Transition
The appointment of Brett Gerger is the culmination of a deliberate succession planning process initiated by the Big I Illinois Board of Directors. As CEO, Gerger will be tasked with steering the association through an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, managing its expansive strategic planning initiatives, and overseeing business development. His mandate is comprehensive, encompassing financial oversight, public relations, and the vital bridge-building role between the Board of Directors and the association’s professional staff.
In tandem with Gerger’s elevation, the association has promoted internal talent to ensure stability and growth. Jennifer Jacobs has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, a role that will see her streamline organizational management. Furthermore, Kristi Osmond will step into the role of Education Director, a critical position tasked with maintaining the high standard of professional development that Big I Illinois is known for.
Chronology: A Career Built on Regulatory Expertise
To understand the direction in which Brett Gerger intends to take Big I Illinois, one must examine his extensive background in both the public and private sectors. His career spans 24 years, characterized by a deep, technical understanding of insurance regulation and state policy.
The Formative Years: Illinois Department of Insurance
Gerger’s professional journey began at the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI). Within the producer regulatory division, he cut his teeth on the intricacies of compliance, licensing, and consumer protection. His early years provided him with a ground-level view of how insurance law impacts the average agency, a perspective that would prove invaluable in his later leadership roles.
Climbing the Ranks: Regulatory Leadership
During his tenure at the IDOI, Gerger ascended to the position of Chief Deputy Director of Product Lines and Licensing. This was a pivotal role in which he managed a diverse portfolio, including:
- Property & Casualty: Overseeing the standards for state-wide coverage.
- Life & Annuity: Ensuring the solvency and fairness of long-term financial products.
- Health Insurance: Navigating the complex interplay between state and federal health mandates.
- Producer Regulatory and Licensing Units: Managing the professional requirements for thousands of agents across the state.
Public Sector Management
Before joining Big I Illinois, Gerger served as the group insurance division manager for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. In this capacity, he oversaw the planning and implementation of policy for the state’s internal insurance programs. This role required a high degree of fiscal responsibility, as he managed property, liability, and employee benefits for one of the largest employers in the state.
The Big I Illinois Era (2019–Present)
Since joining Big I Illinois in 2019 as the Director of Education and Agency Resources, Gerger has been instrumental in modernizing the association’s offerings. His work has focused on equipping independent agents with the tools necessary to compete in a digital-first economy, setting the stage for his eventual rise to the CEO office.
Supporting Data: The Magnitude of the Role
Big I Illinois represents a critical nexus in the state’s financial services sector. As the primary trade association for independent agents, the CEO of this organization acts as the chief lobbyist, educator, and strategist for thousands of business owners.
The scope of the CEO’s responsibilities includes:
- Financial Oversight: Managing the annual budget of the association to ensure the sustainability of member programs.
- Strategic Planning: Aligning the association’s goals with the evolving needs of the insurance market.
- Fundraising and Business Development: Securing the resources necessary to lobby effectively at the statehouse in Springfield.
- Liaison Duties: Serving as the primary conduit between the board—which represents the diverse interests of the state’s agencies—and the staff tasked with executing daily operations.
Phil Lackman’s 31-year tenure set a high bar for institutional knowledge. During his time, he oversaw the association through several industry crises, technological disruptions, and legislative shifts. The transition from Lackman to Gerger is not merely a change in personnel; it is a shift from a legacy-building phase to a transformation-oriented phase.
Official Responses and Executive Shifts
While the association has yet to release a lengthy manifesto regarding the transition, the internal promotions of Jennifer Jacobs and Kristi Osmond speak volumes about the board’s confidence in the existing team.
By promoting Jacobs to COO, the board is ensuring that the operational "engine room" of the association remains in familiar, capable hands. Jacobs is expected to focus on the efficiency of agency services, ensuring that members continue to receive the support they rely on for compliance and business growth.
Kristi Osmond’s transition to Education Director is equally significant. Education is the lifeblood of the Big I Illinois mission. With insurance products becoming more specialized and cybersecurity threats rising, the association’s educational curriculum must be more dynamic than ever. Osmond’s leadership will be judged by her ability to curate programs that address both the technical requirements of licensing and the forward-looking skills required to run a modern agency.
Implications: What This Means for Illinois Agents
The appointment of Brett Gerger comes at a time of significant disruption for the insurance industry. Climate change is impacting property insurance, the "insurtech" movement is changing how consumers buy policies, and state regulations are constantly in flux.
A Pro-Regulatory Stance
Gerger’s deep background at the Department of Insurance suggests that Big I Illinois will maintain a sophisticated, data-driven approach to its advocacy. He knows how regulators think, how they draft policies, and how they enforce compliance. For the average agent, this means that the association is well-positioned to navigate the legislative halls of Springfield with a leader who speaks the regulator’s language.
A Focus on Agency Modernization
Throughout his career, Gerger has demonstrated a penchant for process improvement. His work in the Department of Central Management Services and the IDOI involved managing large-scale, complex systems. It is expected that he will apply this same rigor to the Big I Illinois technology stack and member experience. Members can likely expect an increase in digital-first resources, better integration of agency management tools, and a focus on "future-proofing" agencies against market volatility.
Bridging the Generational Gap
As the industry faces a talent shortage and the retirement of a generation of agency owners, the association’s role in workforce development has never been more critical. Gerger’s experience in the education sector of the association suggests that he is well-attuned to the needs of the next generation of agents. Expect Big I Illinois to ramp up its efforts in recruiting, mentorship, and professional certification to ensure the independent agency channel remains a vibrant career path for new entrants.
Conclusion
The transition from Phil Lackman to Brett Gerger represents a seamless handover of authority backed by institutional history and a clear vision for the future. As Big I Illinois prepares for July 1, the message to its members is one of stability and forward momentum.
With a leadership team now comprised of Gerger, Jacobs, and Osmond, the association is poised to tackle the challenges of the 2020s with a unique blend of regulatory insight and operational expertise. For the thousands of independent agents across Illinois, this new chapter promises a continuation of the advocacy and support that has made Big I Illinois a pillar of the state’s business community for decades. As the industry continues to evolve, the association remains steadfast in its mission to protect the independent agency system, now under the steady, experienced hand of its new CEO.
