Bookman, Trought to Head American Collectors

American Collectors Insurance Inc., a national specialty provider of collector vehicle and collectibles insurance, announced the promotion of two senior executives. Jill Bookman has been named as the new CEO, and Melissa Trought becomes the new COO/CFO..

Thomas Kanyuk, chairman and co-founder of American Collectors Insurance, noted that the promotions recognize Bookman and Trought’s leadership roles in building the 28-year-old firm. “They’ve built strong agent-service and customer-service operations, and have expanded distribution of our products through relationships with independent agents and alliances with insurance organizations.”

Bookman, who previously served as VP-sales and marketing, said her vision includes expanding the availability of the company’s collector vehicle and valuable collectibles policies by further developing the company’s distribution capabilities. She also aims to enhance the company’s track record in customer service and technology.

“For years now, we have met or exceeded the service expectations of partner companies that are many times larger than our own company,” Bookman observed. She joined American Collectors in 1993 as an underwriter, and holds a degree in international relations and economics from the University of Delaware. A native of Mount Laurel, NJ, she resides in Jenkintown, PA with her husband and two children.

Trought, who previously served as VP-operations, said her focus is to continually seek ways to speed and streamline the customer’s experience with American Collectors. She managed the company’s digital imaging project, now in its second expansion, which has allowed many operations to be managed on a “paperless” basis. “We’ve grown accustomed to ‘over-delivering,’ and I believe that’s what sets our firm apart,” she noted.

Trought joined the firm in 1992 as an assistant to the secretary/treasurer. She is a Rowan University graduate, a native and resident of Moorestown, NJ, where she lives with her husband and two children.