McClone Insurance has been named a 2026 Pinnacle Award winner by Applied Systems, the largest provider of insurance technology in the industry. Applied’s highest customer honor recognizes organizations that are helping shape how technology is used to improve the way insurance agencies operate, serve clients and support their teams.
For McClone, the recognition reflects a broader commitment to staying at the forefront of an industry that continues to evolve, and using technology in ways that make a meaningful difference for the people the agency serves.
“A lot of what got us here is cultural. We’re willing to challenge how we’ve always done things and put in the work to make them better. Staying close to where the industry is going gives our team better tools, creates more capacity to focus on our clients, and helps us continue raising the bar on the experience we deliver. I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work that got us here.”
Dustin McClone, President and CEO
McClone transitioned to Applied in 2019. Since then, team members across the organization have participated in pilots, tested new capabilities, and provided feedback that has helped influence how Applied’s technology evolves. That involvement gives McClone early visibility into emerging tools and a voice in how they are developed, while helping the agency identify where technology can remove friction and improve the client and employee experience.
“We’ve never wanted to be first just to be first, and we’ve never wanted to be last. We want to do it the right way,” said Sarah Klapperich, Vice President of Client Experience. “What’s exciting about our relationship with Applied is that we’ve had opportunities to help shape what comes next. We know where our teams experience friction, we share that feedback and we try to be part of the solution. Ultimately, that means making work easier for our team so they can spend more time focused on relationships and delivering a better experience.”
One example of that partnership is McClone’s involvement in the development of Applied’s new agentic workflows. McClone was the only agency selected to participate in the early testing within Applied Epic, including an in-person working session at McClone’s Madison office that brought together members of Applied’s product team from across the United States and Israel to collaborate directly with McClone.
For McClone, opportunities like this aren’t about adopting technology simply because it’s new. They provide an early look at tools that could improve consistency, reduce administrative work and give team members more time to advise, problem-solve, and serve clients.
“This is a huge accomplishment for us as an entire team,” Klapperich added. “There has been a tremendous amount of time and effort put into this over the years, from reception and accounting to account executives and so many others. It means a lot to have that work recognized.”
Ashley Rothmann, Director of Marketing
Ashley Rothmann is the Director of Marketing at McClone, where she leads the agency’s brand, communications, public relations, and marketing strategy. With more than 14 years of experience, she is focused on making complex topics easier to understand and helping McClone communicate in a way that feels clear, useful, and human. Because Ashley did not grow up in the insurance industry, she brings an outside-in perspective to how McClone talks about insurance, risk, benefits, and the work behind them. She works across the organization to turn expertise into stronger stories, useful content, and a brand people can understand and trust. Ashley earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading a good book, trying new things in the kitchen, spending time with her family, and just about any sport, whether she’s playing, watching, or keeping up with her kids.
