The Executive Team

David Racich
President & CEO

David Racich
President & CEO

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

To oversee the day to day operations and overall strategies of the business.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

I was raised in the south suburbs of Chicago by two school teachers until we moved as a family to Arizona in 1994. I’d like to think I maintain the morals and values instilled in me while growing up in the midwest. I have one younger sister who I am still very close with and we are both now raising our kids together in AZ.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Graduating college top in my class.

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

I was a success if I made a difference that day. Whether it be a difference to the company or to a member of our team, having a positive effect is what makes me feel successful.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

My Grandpa Joe Spinozzi” or as we all called him, Pep. I was an unapologetic and take-everything-apart little Italian boy, and my Grandpa was a tough war veteran. He would see my loud antics and always said to me, “Who will you be when you grow up? You’re crazy!” Even though I was an opposite to my Grandfather, he and I were the closest. He passed away when I was in 8th grade, and by the age of 19 I had started my first company. I would always say before I fell asleep, in my prayers “I wish you could see me now Grandpa - I wish you could see what I am building. I know you would be proud!” He taught me patience, perseverance, and discipline.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Travel. Live close enough to the ocean to where I can hear and see it. Watch my children grow old, get to meet their grandchildren and their children

What would be your “walk-up song”?

Rise and Shine, Give God the glory!

Eric Palmer
Chief Marketing Officer

Eric Palmer
Chief Marketing Officer

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Chief Marketing Officer. My primary job is to make the phones ring!

Tell us about your hometown and family:

I was born right here in Phoenix, Arizona (they call us natives)! My entire family is from Missoula, Montana.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment is having a hand in the growth and molding of our employees. It is both rewarding and a pleasure to see my coworkers become more proficient and polished in their roles each and every day.

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

If my heart rate is normal, the day was a success.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

Ted Williams. Both because he is a great baseball player and fisherman.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Go fly fishing in Argentina. Go on a 20 day mountain biking and fly fishing trip in New Zealand. Run for President of the United States.

What would be your “walk-up song”?

Anything by Tupac or Little River Band.

Awards & Recognitions

Charles Truhlar
Chief Distribution Officer

Charles Truhlar
Chief Distribution Officer

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Chief Distribution Officer Responsible for distribution, operations, and sales

Tell us about your hometown and family:

Manhattan, Illinois. 8 brothers and 3 sisters - 12 in all! I opted for a smaller version with 4 sons and 1 daughter. For me that was plenty…

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Locking down my wife...what a catch!

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

Did I make someone’s life better? I live my life by my motto…”I’m not here to make everyone happy, but to make them better”.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

Jesus Christ. Arguably the most influential and controversial human that ever lived throughout history.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Chef School, Cafe tour (where I play music and perform in little venues for a few months straight while doing nothing else!), and attend the Phoenix Open (checking this one off in February!)

What would be your “walk-up song”?

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

Leadership

Joe Racich
Advisor

Joe Racich
Advisor

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

I have been deemed the title “ADVISOR”. It was Senior Advisor but since I was the only one I didn’t want everyone to think Senior was referring to OLD.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

Born and raised in the Steel Town of Gary, Indiana. My dad, after he graduated from High School, worked in the Steel Mill all his life. My mom had an important job that she was fantastic at. During those days her title was, “Housewife”. During WWII she worked in the Steel Mill as a Tin Flipper. I have two older sisters who are both beautiful and loving.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Raising David and Kristy and watching them grow up to be fine upstanding individuals who have become excellent parents and spouses.

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

My workday today is much more different than back in the day. Growing up in a Blue Collar home putting in a hard day's work was in my blood BUT being able to get home and spend time with my kids made all the hard work a success. Be it, Little League and Softball, Basketball or Volleyball was important to me to be there for them. /div>

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

I never met my Grandparents so I think that would be awesome to meet them and talk to them about so many things. I don’t think we would understand each other as they all just spoke Croatian. But if it were possible I am sure GOD would translate.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

I have accomplished many of them already so probably what’s left revolves around playing golf in the 70’s; keep playing the guitar so others could actually figure out what I am playing, and spending more time with my grandkids as they get older.

What would be your “walk-up song”?

The Allman Brothers instrumental song, Jessica.

Frank Esquibel
Director of Technology

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Frank Esquibel
Director of Technology

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Director of Technology - Implement GREAT Tech!

Tell us about your hometown and family:

Grew up in Cheyenne, WY where the rest of my relatives still live and I only visit in the summer. Relocated to Tempe/Scottsdale in college and now live in Cave Creek with my wife, dog and two sons.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

How long my work day lasted… Weird hours in our industry so it’s always good to get done at a normal time!

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

Frank Sinatra in Vegas for a cocktail to discuss being the “coolest” Frank.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Golf at Augusta National. Golf at The Old Course at St Andrews. Golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

What would be your “walk-up song”?

“Metallica - Enter Sandman”.

Awards & Recognitions

Meteena Edwards
Marketing Development Manager

Meteena Edwards
Marketing Development Manager

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

I am the Marketing Development Manager at Brokers Alliance. My responsibilities include managing our email marketing, social media activity, and print advertising in addition to coordinating training opportunities for our agents. I love that there is always something new and exciting in development for our agents to take advantage of.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

I am originally from Maine. I moved to Arizona in 2009. Most of my family is still back east but I love living out here.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

For sure raising my son, Evan, to be this smart, independent young person with an amazing sense of humor. Now if I could just get him to brush his teeth without being reminded 15 times...

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

If I was able to provide support to coworkers and our agents by providing the tools and resources they need for success, then that is a good day.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

I think I would meet Hunter Thompson. I’m not great at small talk so I’d love to be able to just sit and listen to him ramble. I think that would be incredibly entertaining.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Lay on a beach in Thailand, hike the Appalachian Trail, and visit the Badlands.

What would be your “walk-up song”?

Pepper by the Butthole Surfers

Awards & Recognitions

Tayler Gamboa
Director of Finance

Tayler Hagan
Accounting & Commissions Manager

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Director of Finance - I manage the accounting and commission division and the reporting of financial data.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

I am from Heber/Overgaard, AZ located a few hours East of Fountain Hills in the White Mountains on the Mogollon Rim. I actually lived the first few years of my life in Fountain Hills and was lucky enough to come back where my family all is and work at Brokers Alliance.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I have a hard time being proud of myself, because I am always looking at the next big thing to accomplish and don’t look back.

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

I set expectations for myself every day and what I need to accomplish, knocking all those off the list before the end of the day and doing even more is a successful day. I feel successful when I also help make others succeed with their day.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

My mom’s grandpa. Everyone in my family talks about what a great man he was, he passed away while my mom was pregnant with me.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Travel around the world, of course! 1. Italy 2. Australia 3. Ireland

What would be your “walk-up song”?

“America’s Sweetheart” Elle King

Awards & Recognitions

Shaon Shamsul
Director of Operations

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Shaon Shamsul
Director of Operations

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Director of Operations. I live, breathe, and dream about reporting… or as they refer to it in the streets, snitching.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

Columbus, Ohio is not only home of THE Ohio State University, but also Lil Bow Wow! I’m the eldest in a family of 5, although I look and act the youngest.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Getting retweeted by Lil Kim. Second would be being a first generation college grad.

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

If Charles is smiling at me. I’m not kidding.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

I would meet Hillary Clinton in 2009 and tell her not to delete her emails.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

Owning a vicious rottweiler who is only nice to me, landing in the main cast of a reality tv show and/or scripted comedy, and being told “you look great for your age!”

What would be your “walk-up song”?

Moonlight Sonata, of course!

Awards & Recognitions

Nicole Swartwout
Director of Marketing

Nicole Swartwout
Director of Marketing

What is your title and primary responsibility at Brokers Alliance?

Communication! My role is to analyze, plan, and execute internal and external communications. This involve my passions for research, training, and creativity. Who is Brokers Alliance? What value do we bring to our partners and our community? In addition to "the 7-P's," communication is the key to success in business, in relationships, and in life.

Tell us about your hometown and family:

I am an Arizona native, born in Flagstaff, AZ. But, my family roots go back to Bohemia (a.k.a. Czechoslovakia, which is now the Czech Republic)... basically the name of my heritage country has changed multiple times in a single generation. It is easier just to relate to the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Making it into a firefighting academy! I was able to show my daughter that no matter your gender, age, or current life situation, "If you want something bad enough, you CAN do it!"

At the end of your workday, how do you measure if it has been a success?

By the wine selection and the company I choose to drink it with.

If you could meet any one person, living or dead, at Starbucks for a coffee, who would it be and why?

Without question, I would forward the opportunity to my son. I want more than anything for him to have one more conversation with his late Papa.

What are the top three items on your bucket list?

1. Spend a month in New Zealand with NO electronic devices and my person.

2. Joint purchase our childhood cabin in Happy Jack with my brother. We called it "J.A.H.U.", an ode to our last name and that it was our summer home as kids. (Jelinek Alternative Housing Unit).

3. Retire and buy a house on a golf course. Specifically, off Tee Box # 10 at the Sedona Golf Resort.

What would be your “walk-up song”?

"Craving You" by Thomas Rhett. ❤️ When I write a book on my life and it is made into a blockbuster movie, this will be the trailer soundtrack.

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