Provider Relations Team
A Team that is Led by Attorneys
The ARAG® Provider Relations team is led by attorneys and dedicated to providing you ongoing support. Our specialists are available to answer your questions, listen to feedback and maximize your partnership with ARAG. For all your questions regarding ARAG, please contact one of our Recruiting Specialists at 866-272-4529 ext. 3.
Ann Cosimano, General Counsel
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
Ann directs the company's Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, Customer Service, Provider Relations and Claims departments. Having started her career as an attorney in the non-profit world, Ann brings a full understanding of – and deep respect – for members experiencing legal matters.
Ann genuinely cares about improving the lives of others and demonstrates that as an active volunteer. She aligns those values with her role as an executive leader believing "our product supports a social good and helps people at a time that is most stressful."
Education: Ann received a bachelor's degree in psychology/sociology and pre-law from Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, and attended Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, where she received her Juris Doctorate.
Commitment to Community: Ann serves on the Board of Directors of the American Prepaid Legal Services Institute (API). She is a member of the Polk County Women Attorneys, Polk County Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Ann is very passionate about causes that help children. She is actively involved in the ARAG Cares Program, which provides education and free legal services to residents of the Family Violence Center in Des Moines. Ann is also involved with the Make a Wish Foundation, Amanda the Panda, and Robin's Nest Children's Home in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Nicolle Schippers, Corporate Counsel
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
In her role at ARAG, Nicolle evaluates contracts and all attorney communications and processes to develop more user-friendly tools and resources. She manages the Regulatory Compliance team, which creates all Plan Documents and ensures all state and federal regulatory requirements are met. Nicolle also manages the Provider Relations Management Team to ensure all prospective and current network attorneys' needs are met as well as to effectively negotiate and place referrals with out of network attorneys.
Prior to ARAG, Nicolle worked five years in the Air Force as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) during which time she held the roles of criminal prosecutor, family law attorney, claims and tax attorney, and defense counsel.
Education: Nicolle received her Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University, and attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines where she received her juris doctorate degree.
Commitment to Community: Nicolle serves on the Small Law Department Committee of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). She also served on the board and is currently a member of the Polk County Women Attorneys as well as the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys. Other memberships include; Polk County Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Prepaid Legal Services Institute and the Association of Corporate Counsel. She is also involved in children's ministries and youth outreach programs.
Jean Clauson, Provider Relations Recruiting Manager
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
Jean joined ARAG in 2008 with 10 years of recruitment management experience and four years of experience in the legal industry. At ARAG, Jean's primary focus is to build a strong Attorney Network through targeted recruitment campaigns to build awareness of legal insurance plans and promote the benefits of joining the Attorney Network.
Education: Jean attended Drake University majoring in Law/Political Science/Sociology.
Nancy Westberg, Provider Relations Manager
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
Nancy joined ARAG in 2009 as a Provider Relations Consultant and then took on her new role as Provider Relations Manager. Nancy leads the team charged with the negotiation and placement of referrals with Non-Network Attorneys as necessary and identification of recruitment candidates to fill areas of need on the ARAG Attorney Network. She also leads the special investigations unit to help ensure necessary processes are in place.
Education: Nancy attended Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny, Iowa.
Emily DeKruif, Provider Relations Recruiting Specialist
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
New to ARAG in June 2010, Emily enjoys educating and developing relationships with attorneys to assist in participation on the network. Emily’s responsibilities include recruiting attorneys in areas of need, informing of the process to join the Network and overall helping attorneys have the best experience possible when joining. She will utilize her marketing degree and previous recruiting experience to aid in adding top talent to the Network.
Education: Emily received her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and general business from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Peggy Garland, Provider Relations Specialist
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
As a Provider Relations Specialist, Peggy is responsible for delivering on our network guarantee of finding an attorney to provide service to plan members for their legal needs. She researches and analyzes locations, specialties, and other specifications to help build the provider network while ensuring the highest level of service is provided to our members.
Education: Peggy received her Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with a focus on Logistics Management from the Community College of the Air Force.
Commitment to the Community: Peggy serves as a leader of her church's 8th-and-9th grade youth group program managing the development and implementation of various projects including collection and distribution for local food banks, and coordinating efforts to serve various non-profit groups overseas.
Mason Lundy, Provider Relations Specialist
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
As a Provider Relations Specialist, Mason is responsible for delivering on our network guarantee of finding an attorney to provide service to plan members for their legal needs. He researches and analyzes locations, specialties, and other specifications to help build the provider network while ensuring the highest level of service is provided to our members.
Education: Mason earned a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Commitment to Community: Mason is actively helping with fundraising events to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He and his family also support the annual Light the Night Walks.
Tracy Ruser, Provider Relations Recruiting Specialist
Phone: 866-272-4529 ext. 3
Email: Attorneys@ARAGgroup.com
Tracy joined ARAG as a Recruiting Specialist in 2009. Tracy is responsible for development and retention of the attorney panel through prospecting and educating attorneys nationwide to drive increased awareness of the ARAG Attorney Network.
Education: Tracy received her bachelor's degree in finance from Upper Iowa University.