Berks alum parlays communication degree into award-winning career in insurance

WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks alumna Britany LaManna, who earned a degree in communication arts and sciences in 2012, has parlayed the knowledge and skills she acquired at the college into a successful career in the insurance industry. She was recognized as a “Rising Star” in the field by Insurance Business America magazine in December 2022, and she was named to the Millionaires Club 2022 for The Loomis Co., where she has worked for the last 11 years. This award recognizes her success in producing more than $1 million in new property and casualty premiums.

LaManna began her career at The Loomis Co., a national insurance brokerage firm headquartered in Wyomissing, just a few weeks after her college graduation in 2012.

“Communication arts and sciences fostered critical thinking and the ability to turn data into meaningful insights,” she said when asked how she parlayed her communication degree into a career in insurance.

This ability has served her well in her career.

“Communication in its broadest sense is so important,” she said. “I had an extremely positive experience at Penn State Berks in the communication arts and sciences degree program, and with the professors. It was a small, tight-knit group and we developed a synergy.”

When asked about LaManna, E. Michele Ramsey, one of her former professors, also cited how her degree helps her to succeed not only in her career but also in community outreach initiatives.

“Brit represents everything we would want a graduate in communication arts and sciences to be,” said Ramsey. “Whether she’s co-organizing a fundraising event for the Children’s Alliance Center or a golf event to benefit the Olivet Boys and Girls Clubs, or winning awards for her remarkable success in the insurance industry, Brit tackles all she does with care, kindness, heart and a strong intellect. She is a true communication expert, using her skills in interpersonal, group and organizational communication, and rhetoric to make her workplace and her community much better places.”

LaManna also credits her parents, who come from a long line of entrepreneurs, for her business acumen.

Starting as an account executive in commercial property and casualty, LaManna rose to senior executive of strategic accounts in the same division.

“Britney has skillfully worked her way up to senior executive, where she is a partner of a high-performing large risk management team,” said James Loomis Jr., chief operating officer for The Loomis Co. “LaManna’s role is to pursue and develop growth opportunities with new and existing insureds by properly identifying and monitoring risks, while implementing safety procedures and risk transfer techniques.”

LaManna was recently recognized by Insurance Business America magazine in its yearly “Rising Stars” issue, which honored the top insurance professionals age 35 and under. The publication invited insurance professionals across the U.S. to nominate the most exceptional young talent for its annual Rising Star list. The final list of 59 Rising Stars was determined by a panel of industry leaders.

“It is an honor to be recognized among such an esteemed group of emerging talent in the insurance industry,” said LaManna of the Rising Star award. “It is a wonderful career and I am thrilled to be leading the charge of the future of our industry.”