Ascende – an EPIC Company adds Gary C. McKinney to Southwest Region Business Development Team

HOUSTON, Texas -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Gary C. McKinney has joined the firm's Southwest Region Employee Benefits Consulting Practice in Houston (Ascende - an EPIC Company) as Business Development Manager.

McKinney is responsible for communicating the Ascende/EPIC difference and value to business leaders and the broader community. Through these interactions, he identifies opportunities to improve employee programs and administrative services, as well as to better manage costs and optimize a company's return on investment in their people. He collaborates with executive leadership and Ascende/EPIC subject matter experts to craft tailored solutions to advance each client's specific business goals.

McKinney began his career in HR leadership positions with Schlumberger, Ltd and Compaq Computer Corporation. He also served as the VPHR of Landmark Graphics Corp., a software company that assists the E&P industry with finding and developing hydrocarbons, and a wholly owned company of Halliburton. In addition, McKinney served as the CHRO for Valerus LP, a PE backed energy Services Company, and where he helped to drive 20% YOY annualized growth.

Prior to joining Ascende - an EPIC Company, McKinney worked as a CHRO for several Private Equity backed, rapid growth organizations and focused on leveraging human capital to meet both strategic and operational objectives. His emphasis on talent management and development allowed these organizations to maximize the return on their investments in people.

McKinney has also held leadership positions for professional organizations; the Human Capital Planning Society and the Information Services Human Resources Association, as well as serving on the Board of the Baylor Research Initiative and Collaborative.

McKinney received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Psychology from Presbyterian College. Professionally, he earned the Executive HR Certificate from Stanford University and the University of Michigan.

"Gary brings a wealth of knowledge combining his significant experience as a CHRO for some of the world's most successful organizations and supporting the needs of capital sponsors where private equity investments have been made," said Brett Haugh, EPIC's Managing Principal of the Southwest Region. "He has a solid perspective around the orchestration of benefit plans, communications, and the effective use of HR technology to align with business objectives. Gary is a committed, results orientated individual, with a passion for delivering creative, value-added solutions, and he has a reputation for providing thought leadership and a commitment to building strong, positive relationships that align with our core values. We are excited to have Gary join our growing operation in the Southwest Region and across the country."

Said McKinney, "As a senior HR professional, I am responsible for developing new business relationships, introducing the Ascende/EPIC approach and value, and helping our clients develop strategic solutions in all areas of human capital management and employee engagement and retention. This is truly an exciting opportunity for me."

Gary McKinney can be reached at:
Ascende - an EPIC Company
Office: 832-476-9942
Mobile: 713-557-4152
gary.mckinney@epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,000 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

More information: http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408-295-4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0313s2p-McKinney-300dpi.jpg

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