
Jack Elliott, CIC, CISR, SOTP, CBCP, MPM, CFE
Chief Administrative Officer – CRC Group


Jack Elliott, CIC, CISR, SOTP, CBCP, MPM, CFE
Chief Administrative Officer – CRC Group

WHAT IS A DIFFERENCE MAKER?
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MEET OUR DIFFERENCE MAKER
Jack Elliott, CIC, CISR, SOTP, CBCP, MPM, CFE is Chief Administrative Officer for CRC Insurance Services, the second-largest insurance broker in the US. His insurance career began at an early age when his mom got him a job as a delivery driver. Jack would drive around delivering microfilm in his El Camino.
Jack was introduced to the insurance industry through a high school program that allowed him to escape a stressful home life. Both his personal history as a kid looking for opportunities for a better life and his successful insurance career motivate Jack to give back to his community.
He began working with CRC in 1999 in the Accounting Department. Jack has since climbed up the ranks and received several designations, including CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative), CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), SOTP (Sarbanes-Oxley Trained Professional), CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional), MPM (Master Project Manager), and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) and lives in Birmingham Alabama.

The New Auditor’s Challenge
Although many challenges arose on the path from the accounting department to the executive suite, Jack recalls one particularly challenging incident from his time as an auditor. One of the things that got Jack noticed early on in his career was his work in developing an internal audit program. From 2004 to 2012, the program was enhanced under Jack’s management to include compliance and training.
As a new auditor for CRC, Jack was asked to present to a group of underwriters inquiring about the audit program. Jack was stumped by a question. One of the underwriters asked, “What gives you, a brand-new auditor, the ability to audit underwriters who have done this all their life?”
Jack said, “I knew I didn’t have an answer, but I left there knowing that I could find the answer by having some letters after my name. Designations from The National Alliance help with credibility. They give you more confidence. I have my CSR Elite designation and was encouraged to earn it and further my education.”
Jack left college when he was 22 to help his ex-wife care for her grandparents. He went on to build a successful 30-year career in insurance but always thought about going back to finish his degree. Because of his thriving insurance career, college took a back seat so he could focus on work. Despite this, Jack knew he needed to continue his education in some way in order to remain successful.

Professional Development with The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
Jack began participating in courses from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research in 2006. He has since earned both CISR and CIC designations, signifiers of his deep and nuanced knowledge of insurance and account management. Because of his successful insurance career and his drive to give back to the industry, Jack has served on the Board of Governors of the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives and the Society of Certified Insurance. He is also Chairman of the Samford University Brock School of Business, Risk Management, and Insurance Advisory Board and serves on the GIS Board of Trustees.
“The CISR designation was the door that opened for me to start learning more about The National Alliance. It has given me so many career opportunities,” Jack says.

A Silver Lining During COVID
It is no surprise that COVID affected Jack’s goals. As the insurance industry evolved during the pandemic, Jack saw an opportunity in the chaos. His long-time mentor Gary Cooney reached out to ask if he would like to help him start an RMI program at Sanford University. His mentor also mentioned the fact that Jack had never graduated college. To Jack’s surprise, he offered him the opportunity to earn his college degree. Jack immediately said yes and began taking night classes so he could still work during the day. His arduous work paid off and he graduated in 2021.

Education Equals Credibility
“I tell students today that they are going to look very young walking into a client’s office or an underwriter’s office. Those letters after your name help people understand that you know what you’re talking about and that’s what I needed,” Jack says.
Jack is invested in creating career equity for students of all backgrounds. For this reason, he sponsored the CISR High School Program in a new Birmingham high school whose mission is to support students having difficulty learning in traditional high schools. The high school helps LGBTQ+ students, those who are bullied, and kids with learning disabilities.

Be Brave Enough to Be Yourself
Jack Elliot understands that being labeled as “different” comes with its challenges. However, with the right guidance and a little bit of courage, those things that make you different can also be great sources of strength.
“I was married for 28 years and have two wonderful boys. Family is incredibly important to me. A few years back, I came out as a gay man, and immediately I thought I had turned my family upside down. I was really worried that I had done something terrible to them. But they’ve been super accepting of me,” Jack says.
That difficult but incredibly meaningful life event has allowed Jack to grow and give back to his community. He sponsored the CSR high school program at the new high school to support the school, its unique students, and make career opportunities possible for them.
“It was such a relief to be able to share the part about my life that I have hidden for 46 years. I want to make sure high school students have the same opportunities I did and have a safe environment to thrive in.”
GIVING BACK
Jack believes that high school programs are important for students during critical points in their lives. Insurance programs within high schools give students a unique way into the industry that’s not available to everyone. In his efforts to give back to his community, he strongly advocates for the CISR High School Program.
“It’s a win for everyone. It’s a win for the students because they get an opportunity they do not generally get,” he says.