Principal Bios

Patricia K. Low
Chief Executive Officer and President, Dowell Insurance Agency, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Assurance Solutions, LLC.

Ms. Low’s experience in the insurance industry dates back to 1982 when she first joined Dowell Insurance Agency, Inc., as a salesperson primarily responsible for new business production. She was promoted to President in 1989, and added the role of Chief Executive Officer in 1990. Dowell Insurance and IAS do business worldwide, currently in 43 states and three continents.

Ms. Low has served the insurance and investment industry in various capacities over the course of her career. Ms. Low holds in excess of 40 professional licenses. In addition to successfully running her own firm, Ms. Low is also a principal of two insurance companies. She has been a principal and director of Garden State Insurance Company, Ltd., 1994 through 2002, serving on the Transition Committee, and chaired the Underwriting Committee and Executive Committee. Ms. Low served as Vice President in 1998, then President of Garden State Insurance Company 1999-2002.

As a principal and director on the board of Twin Oaks Insurance Company, Ltd. since 1996, Ms. Low served as the Chief Underwriting Officer and a member of the Investment Committee and Executive Committee.

Ms. Low has participated on the Agency Advisory Boards of several major commercial insurance companies including Fireman’s Fund, Hanover, Crum & Forster and One Beacon Insurance Companies, Ms. Low served as Chairman of each Advisory Board.

She also held numerous executive positions on the Professional Insurance Agents Association Board of Directors, been a member of the Executive Committee, and was Chairman of four statewide committees including the Legislative Committee, Underwriting Committee and Technical Committee. The Professional Insurance Agents Board of Directors elected Ms. Low Director of the Year in 1999 for her accomplishments. She retired from the Board in 2000.

Ms. Low is a Trustee of Hackensack University Medical Center and serves on the Board of Trustees.

Ms. Low did her graduate studies at Harvard University, 1999–2001 in Business Management. She earned her undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Upsala College in 1979.



Al Merusi
Senior Vice President, Operations

Mr. Merusi has been with the Dowell Agency since 1983, and has risen through the ranks to achieve the responsibilities of Vice President and General Manager of the firm. Mr. Merusi is responsible for human resources and technology. Mr. Merusi’s technology initiatives have allowed the firm to experience consistent growth and profitability. His dedication to employee benefit innovations has resulted in consistent and long term employee stability. These initiatives have been largely responsible for the firms “Best Practices” designation as one of the top 30 most outstanding agencies in the country by Reagan & Associates and Westinghouse Productivity and Quality Center.

Mr. Merusi provides operational service and support for all Dowell/IAS administrative, sales and marketing functions. This includes technological advances, telecommunications services, management of the Dowell/IAS administrative office functions, including client, product and program support services.

Mr. Merusi has over 23 years experience in the insurance industry, holds a CIC designation, and has a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University.



Laurette Merusi
Program Director, Jewelers Block

Ms. Merusi added the title of Jewelers Block Practice Leader in 2001. She began her insurance career in 1982 with State Farm Insurance Company. Ms. Merusi became affiliated with Dowell/IAS in 1986. Her responsibilities have included financial management and sales. In 2000 she was promoted to Program Manager for the Specie Division.

Ms. Merusi is primarily responsible for the full range of Jewelers insurance and risk management services, including designer exposures. Ms. Merusi represents accounts worldwide and has been recognized and published in various trade papers, including Women’s Wear Daily for her expertise in this area.

Ms. Merusi holds a BS degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, is married with two children, two dogs, two cats, and one horse, and resides in Vernon, NJ.