CEO and President, Lincoln “Linc” J. Merrill Jr.
Previously, Linc served as Vice-President of Allmerica Financial Corporation and brings nearly two and a half decades of insurance knowledge and management experience to the helm of Patriot.
Linc’s track record of success has taken him through several key areas of insurance operations. These areas include underwriting, claims, loss control, information technology, human resources, government relations, marketing and the duties of an independent agent.
Linc is a strong proponent of community service and sponsorship. He is an active member of several local and regional organizations, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Southern Maine. During his career he earned the professional designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter
(C.P.C.U.). Additionally, Linc has served on the Maine Workers Compensation Residual Markets Pool Board and the Maine Medical Malpractice J.U.A.
Linc is committed to guiding Patriot to its goal of becoming the leading insurer in New England.
Chief Financial Officer, Donald W. Sirois, CPA, CFE
Don comes to Patriot with a wealth of financial management experience. His professional experience includes the positions of Executive Director of Government Programs, and Vice President of Internal Audit and Compliance for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine. Additionally, Don spent several years at the post of Director of Financial Affairs and Solvency for The Maine Bureau of Insurance.
Don holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine. Currently, he is a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Society of Financial Examiners.
Vice President of Claims, Cynthia O. DeLong
Cyndy comes to Patriot with over twenty five years experience in property and casualty claims. She has made notable achievements in the last twenty years with Allmerica Financial/Hanover Insurance Company (Maine branch). She began her career in claims as a multi-line adjuster for Sentry Insurance Company in Concord, Massachusetts.
Her tenure at Hanover broadened her role from Claim Specialist to a leadership position. Cyndy served in the capacity as Claim Supervisor and then as Claim Manager. After devoting 15 years to the Claim Manager position in Maine, she was promoted to the greater responsibility of Regional Claim Manager. She successfully handled all staffing, and the direction of both personal lines and commercial lines claims in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Cyndy holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, as well as the Associate in Claims (AIC) designation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from the University of New England. She is a member of the Maine Claim Managers Council and is an arbitrator and special arbitrator for Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Vice President of Insurance Operations, Charles D. Brakeley, Jr., CPCU, CLU
Chuck brings over 25 years of insurance experience to Patriot. He began his career in Personal Lines Underwriting with Aetna Life & Casualty in Springfield, MA. He progressed through positions in Springfield, Brockton, Boston and Portland to become a Marketing Branch Manager responsible for Life, Annuities and Personal Lines. After switching to Hanover Insurance Company, Chuck was a Personal Lines Manager for Maine and New Hampshire. Most recently with Hanover he held the position of Marketing Manager for Small Commercial Lines, Personal Lines and Groups.
Chuck has also been active serving on Industry Boards for the Maine Auto Insurance Plan, the Vermont Auto Insurance Plan, and the New Hampshire Auto Reinsurance Facility.
In addition, Chuck holds a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Middlebury College, along with several insurance designations. The designations include Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Associate in Automation Management.
