Steve graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1978 with a business degree, and completed his MBA at Oklahoma University in 1980. Steve then started his career at Hank Moran and Associates, being trained in both commercial and personal lines of insurance. Steve joined Insurica in 1984, and won the national sales award twelve consecutive years until joining Rod Frates at C. L. Frates and Co. in 1996. Steve and Rod enjoyed a wonderful business partnership until Rod’s death in 2011. Steve purchased Rod’s ownership in the agency, and managed the agency until merging into Acrisure in 2014. Acrisure is a very large privately held insurance agency, with over 500 insurance agencies worldwide. By joining Acrisure, the agency was able to both represent many additional insurance companies to our clients, and have a much larger presence with these insurance companies. In October of 2018, Acrisure expanded by forming Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC in Edmond, and ask Steve to be the agency principal. Steve brought with him his staff and client base, as well as three other sales associates.
Shelia started her insurance career as a Bond Underwriter for CNA Insurance Companies in 1990. She worked for CNA for 10 years. In 2003 Shelia came to work on the agency side with Steve Payne and C.L. Frates Insurance agency team. Later she held a position as the Office Manager/Sr. Account Manager when Frates was purchased by Acrisure dba: Frates Insurance & Risk Management. In 2018 an opportunity to open another agency to expand the footprint of Acrisure was extended to a group of Producers to open the now Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC. Shelia has experience in Agency Management, Claims Management, and Sr. Account Management Services.
Bob, formed Masterson Insurance Group in 2009 after over 20 years in the automotive industry. He merged his agency in 2009 with another agency as a producer/agent. In 2014, he had the opportunity to join Acrisure dba: Frates Insurance & Risk Management. In 2018 Bob was part of the expansion of Acrisure dba: Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC Edmond, Oklahoma (IPA). Bob specializes in Insurance for Auto Dealers, Commercial property, and provides Health/Benefits to a large number of clients as well.
Jim started his insurance career in 1987 as a commercial property & casualty underwriter with Great American Insurance before moving to CNA Insurance where he served in several capacities including sales, underwriting, national program development & management, and distribution channel management. Jim became an agent in 2002 and joined Acrisure dba: Frates Insurance & Risk Management in 2012. In 2018 Jim was part of the expansion of Acrisure dba: Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC Edmond, Oklahoma (IPA). Jim is well versed in a wide spectrum of insurance products covering multiple industry groups. Jim is experienced in identifying exposures and assisting clients in managing their exposures.
Abbey started her career in insurance in 2008. She began working for C.L Frates and Company Insurance after a career in financial services. She came to work alongside her father, Steve Payne and continue the legacy of the grandfather, Mr. Jim Payne. She worked for C.L. Frates until it was sold to Acrisure and became Frates Insurance & Risk Management, LLC. In 2018 an opportunity to open another agency to expand the footprint of Acrisure was extended to a group of Producers to open the now Acrisure dba: Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC. Abbey has insurance placement experience for various types of commercial business, including oil and gas, trucking, real estate, restaurants, bars, small business, service companies, hotels, life and health benefits. She can also help you with your personal lines business to include homes, vacation homes, recreational vehicles, valuable articles and auto’s.
Jeanne Brown began working in the insurance field in the late 1980’s working as an assistant in commercial lines. Jeanne has worked as an Account Manager for Steve Payne, the managing partner, for many years. In 1999, she joined C.L. Frates Insurance Agency along with Steve. She has continued as an Account Manager during the purchase by Acrisure and the opening of Insurance Placement Alternatives, LLC. Jeanne brings oil and gas expertise and a wealth of commercial lines knowledge.
Maureen began her insurance career in 1999 following a move to Quincy, a small mountain town in northern California. Shortly after her arrival her insurance agent offered her a “temporary’” job filling in for his secretary who was on maternity leave. One thing lead to another and before long she obtained her agent license and was servicing the agency’s commercial lines accounts. Maureen moved to Oklahoma in 2005 and immediately began work at C. L. Frates Insurance as a commercial lines account manager. Maureen continues to work as an account manager on Steve Payne’s team since the move to Oklahoma.
Lisa obtained her license as an insurance agent in 2006 working at C. L. Frates and Company. She worked on bonds and eventually moved into small commercial lines. In 2009 she obtained her CISR designation. She continued her service through the acquisition of Acrisure and became Frates Insurance & Risk Management, LLC working with Oklahoma Hospital Association in large commercial property and management liability. She also worked on contractors and garage liability. She was part of the expansion of Acrisure dba: Insurance Placement Alternatives in 2018. Lisa is Bob Masterson’s Account Manager.
She has a degree from Oklahoma State University in Applied Science: Computer Information Systems with an accounting emphasis. Lisa is a current active member of the Oklahoma State Alumni Association. She also enjoys working on the non-profit association the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention where she serves on the board of the Oklahoma Chapter.
Michael started his insurance career with The Hartford in 2004. He worked for Hartford for 6 years in Oklahoma City as an Inside Sales agent. Michael went on to work in construction sales, automotive sales, and loan origination before coming back to insurance in 2013. He became a personal lines account manager with Acrisure dba: Frates Insurance & Risk Management from 2013 through 2015. He was then promoted to the personal lines department manager in 2015 through 2018. Michael was offered the opportunity to move within Acrisure to the newly formed Insurance Placement Alternatives in 2018. Michael has experience in Personal Lines account management and claims assistance.