Deborah Sullivan,
Client Relations Manager,
American Lease Insurance
Deborah Sullivan began her career at American Lease Insurance (ALI) in 2004 with an indefatigable work ethic that has fueled her considerable accomplishments.
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VISION FOR THE FUTURE: “My focus is on equipment insurance, on continually reviewing processes, procedures and systems to ensure that we’re even more effective tomorrow than we are today. I am fortunate to be part of a terrific team that is committed to providing our clients — and their customers — the insurance coverage they need with the best possible service.” |
”Debbie has grown with the company, building upon a background in insurance to broaden her experience with us and step into new roles without notice,” Steve Dinkelaker, president of American Lease Insurance, says. “Hired initially for data entry, she quickly moved into customer service. Then Hurricane Katrina hit, and our claims department realized we needed someone to reach out to customers immediately. Debbie immersed herself in risk assessment and helped us buoy our clients and their customers through that crisis. She has been a key contributor to our continued success and growth.”
Sullivan leads by example, encouraging the entire ALI team to work hard and smart and to take on new challenges with determination. She is eager to educate others, both clients and staff, to help them find the information they need to make considered decisions. She has mentored individuals within ALI and been instrumental in developing a strong, innovative team by recruiting new hires, recognizing skill sets and nurturing strengths and matching them to the needs of the organization.
In a previous role as ALI’s customer service manager, she overhauled the data entry department to make it more efficient, overseeing changes that took the agency from a paper-based business to one that is 100% electronic. Now, as client relations manager, Sullivan is equally adept at maintaining long-term relationships as she is establishing and cultivating new ones, initiating changes to make those relationships work more efficiently as clients’ needs change. With the most calming voice and reassuring manner, she makes it seem effortless.
In March of 2020, many ALI clients recognized they would have customers who would have to close or work in a limited capacity because of COVID-19, meaning they would not be able to make contract or insurance payments. Sullivan contacted all ALI clients individually to find out their specific challenges and discuss how ALI could help them handle those challenges. By being proactive with clients and working internally with ALI’s IT department to develop program changes to support individual client needs, she alleviated stress and reinforced client loyalty during an extremely trying period. In the face of significant negative pressures, she brought about positive change.
