Kirsten M. Early, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Kirsten Malonoski Early is a recognized global leader in third-party administration and insurance technology with over 20 years of experience transforming how organizations manage risk and claims worldwide. As CEO of First Call Claims Solutions, Kirsten leads the company's vision of delivering innovative, client-focused solutions that simplify complex insurance challenges. Her approach combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to operational excellence and measurable results.
Kirsten’s career spans international markets and includes leadership roles with some of the industry’s most respected organizations. She previously served as SVP of the InsurTech Practice at Encora Inc., where she spearheaded digital transformation initiatives across insurance, healthcare, and financial technology. Her international experience includes serving as Global Head of TPA at McLarens in London and Managing Director of Broadspire UK at Crawford & Company, where she managed large-scale outsourced claims programs for Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 clients. At Crawford, she also led global markets development, building strategic relationships with multinational carriers, brokers, and corporations across the globe. Earlier in her career, Kirsten pioneered global claims initiatives as Assistant Vice President at ESIS, Inc. (an ACE Insurance Company), developing comprehensive international TPA operations and establishing best practices that set new industry standards.
Kirsten brings a distinctive blend of legal training, financial acumen, and operational leadership to her work. She holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and an MBA in Finance from Drexel University, complementing her B.A. in Economics from Columbia University. This multidisciplinary background enables her to navigate complex regulatory environments while driving business growth and innovation. Known for her entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on leadership style, Kirsten is passionate about solving complex business problems with straightforward, effective solutions. She believes in building strong partnerships, empowering teams, and delivering quality outcomes that make a real difference for clients.
Anthony Clanton, CPCU, AIC, ARM
Chief Revenue Officer
Anthony Clanton brings a powerful combination of technical expertise and strategic leadership to his role as Chief Revenue Officer at First Call Claims Solutions. With over a decade of experience managing complex global insurance programs and driving revenue growth, Anthony is focused on building lasting client relationships, maximizing revenue opportunities, and ensuring exceptional service delivery across every touchpoint.
As CRO, Anthony oversees First Call’s sales, marketing, and account management teams, establishing revenue targets and creating scalable processes that fuel sustainable growth. His approach centers on understanding client needs, identifying opportunities for innovation, and fostering partnerships built on trust, satisfaction, and long-term value. Before joining First Call in 2024, Anthony spent over five years at Brown & Brown, where he advanced to Vice President and Casualty Claims Consultant Team Lead. In this role, he provided strategic advocacy and program analysis to clients, developed solutions to manage loss costs, and led vendor oversight through process mapping, claims reviews, and quality audits. His ability to bridge the gap between production teams and risk services helped clients achieve their risk management goals while navigating complex renewal negotiations and claims challenges.
Anthony’s foundation in global account management was built during nearly seven years at Crawford & Company, where he progressed from Multi-Line Adjuster to Senior Global Account Executive. He managed international and domestic insurance programs for Fortune 500 clients and major insurers, developing global pricing models, implementing claims systems, and leading cross-functional teams across multiple countries and lines of coverage. His work included designing key performance indicators, conducting quarterly claim reviews on complex losses, and ensuring consistent service delivery worldwide—skills that directly translate to his revenue leadership today.
Anthony holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Mississippi and has earned multiple industry designations, including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Property Technical Certification. This technical foundation allows him to speak the language of clients, understand their challenges at a granular level, and deliver solutions grounded in deep industry knowledge. Anthony believes that revenue growth and client satisfaction go hand in hand. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and a relentless focus on delivering results that matter. Whether he’s working with internal teams or building relationships with clients and partners, Anthony is dedicated to creating value that lasts.
Ariel Buntin
Senior Vice President of Operations
Ariel Buntin is the driving force behind operational excellence at First Call Claims Solutions, where she has spent nearly 12 years building a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and client-focused service. As Senior Vice President of Operations, Ariel is passionate about making things work better—whether that's streamlining processes, solving complex challenges, or ensuring teams are connected and aligned in pursuit of shared goals.
Ariel’s journey at First Call tells a story of dedication, growth, and impact. She joined the company in 2014 as a Claims Specialist and quickly demonstrated her commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Her natural ability to connect with people and identify opportunities for enhancement led to her role as Performance Assessment Coach, where she helped team members reach their full potential. From there, Ariel steadily advanced through leadership roles—Director of Operations, Regional Director of Operations, and Vice President of Operations—before being named Senior Vice President of Operations in 2023. Each step of her career has been marked by her unwavering focus on building stronger internal systems that translate directly into better outcomes for clients.
What sets Ariel apart is her belief that operational success starts with people. She understands that when internal teams are connected, supported, and working in sync, clients can feel the difference in every interaction. Her leadership style emphasizes relationship-building, cross-functional collaboration, and creating an environment where quality and service aren’t just goals but the foundation of everything First Call does.
Ariel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Lipscomb University, where she developed a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation. These insights inform her approach to leadership and organizational design. Her background allows her to see beyond processes and systems to the people who make them work.
For Ariel, the most meaningful part of her work is seeing the real value First Call brings to partners every day. She’s driven by a commitment to doing the right thing, for colleagues, for clients, and for the communities First Call serves. Her leadership ensures that operational excellence isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about building trust, delivering on promises, and making a lasting impact.
Robert Wales
Vice President of Sales
Robert Wales brings over a decade of proven sales leadership and strategic partnership development to his role as Vice President of Sales at First Call Claims Solutions. With a track record of consistently driving market growth, Robert is dedicated to building lasting client relationships and delivering solutions that create real value.
Before joining First Call in 2024, Robert honed his expertise across the financial services and payments industry, leading high-performing sales teams and managing complex banking partnerships. His ability to align strategic vision with execution resulted in sustained growth and expanded market presence. Robert’s prior experience also includes working at as sales director at First Data Corporation (now Fiserv) where he managed a team of 12 across more than 15 bank partners, conducting strategic reviews and consistently surpassing quotas while growing market share. Earlier in his tenure as Regional Account Supervisor and Account Manager, he ranked in the top 3 among 45 sales representatives year over year, building exceptional rapport with businesses and introducing innovative payment solutions that strengthened banking relationships. His background also includes managing high-risk ACH sales and compliance as US Business Development Manager at Ceevo, where he navigated complex regulatory environments while driving business growth in the U.S. market.
Robert earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of Mississippi, where he also served as Athletic Facility Supervisor, managing student employees and overseeing game-day operations. This early experience that taught him the importance of leadership, preparation, and teamwork.
Robert’s approach to sales is built on trust, transparency, and results. He believes in understanding each client’s unique challenges and delivering tailored solutions that drive measurable outcomes. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and a relentless focus on exceeding expectations.
Jessica Russell
Director of People & Culture
Jessica Russell is an accomplished human resources leader with over a decade of progressive HR experience spanning the insurance, healthcare, and corporate sectors. As Director of People & Culture, she leads the organization's talent strategy, employee engagement initiatives, and culture development efforts.
With a proven track record of building people-first workplace cultures, Jessica brings extensive expertise in employee relations, talent acquisition, organizational development, and strategic HR business partnership. Her career has been marked by steady advancement through increasingly senior roles, demonstrating her ability to drive meaningful impact across all facets of the employee lifecycle.
Before joining First Call Claims Solutions, Jessica served as Human Resources Business Partner II at AAA-The Auto Club Group, where she partnered with leadership to align HR strategies with business objectives. Prior to that, she spent nearly five years at IAT Insurance Group, progressing from Associate Human Resources Generalist to Human Resources Business Partner. During her tenure at IAT, she provided critical employee relations support, supported recruiting efforts across the United States, and tracked key workforce trends through exit interviews and new hire surveys.
Jessica’s early career included roles that helped her develop a comprehensive foundation in benefits administration, FMLA compliance, talent acquisition, and HRIS systems.
Known for her collaborative approach and dedication to building workplaces where employees feel empowered, challenged, and valued, Jessica drives initiatives that attract and retain top talent while cultivating a culture of trust, engagement, and growth.