Executive Team
Our Leadership
David Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 515-246-1200
E-mail: David.Murray@ARAGgroup.com
As a 20-year veteran of ARAG, David has repeatedly seen how our product changes people's lives and is committed to developing strategies that allow for market expansion and higher service levels. He has been instrumental in driving an innovative business model that allows for new distribution channels, products and infrastructure that support group and individual products.
Over the course of his career, David has reorganized the structure of multiple companies acquired through mergers to position the company for market flexibility. He has driven initiatives ranging from creating new financial modeling to negotiating telecommunications contracts which resulted in cost savings, higher efficiency or increased market revenue. David is uniquely qualified to advance ARAG in market prominence because he consistently demonstrates how to lead with integrity and purpose.
Whether leading the executive team or coaching little league, David is committed to living by the Golden Rule. "I intend to treat people the way I want to be treated in every role I serve at ARAG." David consciously incorporates this practice into our business conduct, growth initiatives, marketing strategies, employment practices and financial policies.
Education: David earned his bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, and his Master’s of Business Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Commitment to Community: David is a member of the Central Iowa Private Enterprise CFO Forum, and coaches junior soccer, wrestling and baseball teams in Carlisle, Iowa.
Erin Barfels, Chief Human Resources Officer
E-mail: Erin.Barfels@ARAGgroup.com
In her role on the executive team, Erin advocates for employees by developing strategies for workforce planning, compensation, benefits and organizational development.
As a steward of our corporate culture, she guards and grows the competitive advantage our climate provides. Driven by the belief that our people are our greatest strength, she develops strategic programs that allow us to attract, retain and develop distinctively talented people who can create a substantive difference in the market.
With a career-long dedication to human resources, Erin chose ARAG for "the authentic passion employees have for what they do, what they bring to the marketplace and the difference they make in our members' lives." Her strong yet caring leadership style has helped to inspire the culture, values, benefits and individual growth opportunities making ARAG an exceptional company, where individuals can enjoy a rewarding career while making a difference in the lives of ARAG's customers.
Education: Erin earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree with an emphasis in human resource management from Iowa State University.
Commitment to Community: Erin is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has served on speaking panels for the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), Women's Networking groups, and patient advocate panels. She previously served as an executive member of the Creative Good Council where she spearheaded a team focused on HR Strategy and HR Issues within organizations.
Erin is also actively involved in organizations focused on children and families in need. She is passionate about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and was named the 2011 Woman of the Year for her fundraising efforts. She serves as a board member for Variety - The Children's Charity, and has served as a VIP fundraiser for their annual telethons since 2003.
Ann Cosimano, General Counsel
Phone: 515-246-1200
Email: Ann.Cosimano@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.
Ann Dieleman; Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer
Phone: 816-891-9888
E-mail: Ann.Dieleman@ARAGgroup.com
Ann is personally committed to educating consumers about their legal rights and empowering them to act. She brings this passion for lifelong learning to her role leading the Product Development, Marketing, Client Management and Business Development teams.
With nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the financial services industry, Ann applies both insight and intuition to developing new markets, products and distribution channels. She believes that whether customers connect with us over the phone, through social media, or our interactive website, the underlying relationship is what matters most – and she focuses extensively on building and maintaining relationships based on trust and respect.
Education: Ann received her bachelor's degree in business and communications from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and her Master's from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She holds an associate's degree in customer service designation from the Life Office Management Association.
Commitment to Community: Ann is an executive member of the Creative Good Council. She is a member and former board member of the American Marketing Association, a member of the Direct Marketing Association; a member of LIMRA International, Professional Insurance Marketing Association and Inter-Company Marketing Group (ICMG).
Inspired by the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, Ann's heart, and her spare time, is committed to helping the hungry and disadvantaged. She continually finds ways to make a difference by organizing collections for domestic violence shelters, food bank donations, coats and blankets for the homeless and other efforts in the community.
Dennis Healy, Vice President Group Sales
Phone: 855-422-1673
Email: Dennis.Healy@ARAGgroup.com
As a member of the executive team, Dennis leads the organization in building a strong and diversified distribution system. He has over 20 years of insurance industry experience, with a primary focus in the sale of group voluntary benefit products to employer groups of all sizes. He is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with distribution partners and employers to position legal solutions as an important part of an employer's overall benefits offering.
Dennis is driven to make a difference by exploring new directions for growth. He believes that ARAG has "a tremendous opportunity to provide a benefit that people genuinely need at any age and can afford at almost any income. As more people become aware of legal solutions, we are well positioned to fill a largely unfilled need."
Having proven that he can generate impressive results in other markets, Dennis is excited to lead a distribution team focused on setting new standards for professionalism and success while providing a truly valuable benefit to our customers.
Education: Dennis has a bachelor's degree in Management from Keene State College in New Hampshire. He has been published frequently in trade publications and is a featured speaker at industry conferences and seminars.
Commitment to Community: Dennis is active in many sports and instills his enthusiasm for sportsmanship and healthy competition by coaching youth baseball and basketball programs in the Boston area.
Mark Hennessey, Chief Operating Officer
Phone: 515-246-1200
E-mail: Mark.Hennessey@ARAGgroup.com
Mark leads Operations, Enterprise Risk Management, Audit and IT. His primary charge is to drive innovation and ideas that contribute to operational excellence and revenue growth.
Mark's experience includes sales, IT, business operations, business development and joint ventures. Regardless of his function, he is deeply committed to people first and developing relationships above all. Mark believes that "too often, technology consumes us. A simple phone call or face-to-face meeting can make a lasting impression and is much more impactful than technology could ever attempt to be." Mark has a strong conviction to what we do and the impact it makes on member's lives and carries that into relationships with clients and fellow team members.
Education: Mark has a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from Drake, and a bachelor's degree in finance from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He earned his Masters of Business Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Commitment to Community: Mark has served on the Ankeny Fire Department for the past seven years as a Firefighter/Emergency medical technician (EMT.) Many nights have been spent responding to citizen's calls for help. Whether it's a residential fire or an elderly person who has fallen, serving the community is one way in which Mark hopes to make a difference in people's lives.
Andrea Morse, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 515-246-1200
E-mail: Andrea.Morse@ARAGgroup.com
As Chief Financial Officer, Andrea oversees all aspects of financial-related activities for the company. This includes the direct responsibility for accounting, underwriting client support services and forecasting with a strong involvement in strategic planning.
Andrea's enjoys working with people from all levels of the company to insure the business is run smoothly. "We have a very supportive, relationship-focused culture; there is mutual respect for everyone and everyone is encouraged to ask questions and learn." Whether explaining financial results to clients or how the business works at all employee meetings, Andrea is passionate about helping people understand ARAG's financial perspectives and how they have been successful.
With a deeply rooted reputation for accounting expertise, Andrea is recognized by many in the industry as one who will always strive to do the right thing. She blends a 20-plus year career of accounting expertise with careful financial pragmatism resulting in solid decisions that benefit the business and its members equally.
Education: Andrea has a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Northwest Missouri State University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Commitment to Community: Andrea seeks out opportunities to help the less fortunate and donates her time and efforts to Children & Families of Iowa, Meals from the Heartland and the Ronald McDonald House.