About Educational Concepts Unlimited, Inc.

Educational Concepts Unlimited, Inc. is an Illinois-based company, and a leader in providing continuing education courses for Insurance Professionals and other professionals include Funeral Directors and those involved in banking and securities. In addition, we offer pre-licensing and Series 6 & 63 continuing education. On-site training is available, tailored to meet the needs of an agency or company.

We have been providing pre-licensing and continuing education to insurance professionals in many states for over 20 years. Our mission is to provide quality instruction, materials and study aids for those using our services. Our qualified staff will assist you with your needs for training at our location or yours. We can tailor the training to fit your needs.

Our Founders were insurance and educational professionals who understood the principles of insurance and sound training. From the beginning we've provided pre-licensing education to insurance industry candidates, thus allowing them to meet Illinois state requirements. 90% or more of our students pass the state exam on their first try.

Company History

In 1987 our company was started in Belleville, IL by Dr. Kenneth and Shirley Holmes. Our current offices are located at 3301 West Main, Belleville,IL 62226. Training director is Tom Ripperda, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF. Tom started in the insurance business in 1971 and joined ECU in 2000. Our instructors average over 30 years in the industry. George Hickey joined ECU in 2000 and retired in 2011, Ray Farmer in 2007, Roger Relfe, and Bruce Knopp.

Office Staff

Sandy joined ECU in November of 2004 as secretary and was promoted to office manager in 2005. ECU found a jewel in Sandy. Sandy is retiring on September 1, 2011.

Michele joined ECU on March 29, 2010 as Customer Service Representative. Michele handles all the class registrations, state reporting and customer service. Michele is grandmother of one with more on the way.

Barb joined ECU in 2000 as the secretary. She does our design work and proofing of our materials. When the workday is done, Barbara spend her time on being a nature photographer, artist, poet and a proud grandmother of two granddaughters.

Instructors

George joined ECU in 2000 as a Life & Accident and Health Instructor after a 25 years of insurance sales and management.George retired on August 1, 2011. Thanks for your service, George.

Ray Farmer Long

Ray joined ECU in 2008 as an Instructor after a 35 years of insurance sales.He teaches the life, accident and health classes.

Bob joined ECU in 2010 currently he teaches our weekend Life and Accident classes. He brings over 10 years of experience in the life/accident & health field.

Roger joined ECU in 2010 and conducts many of our Ethics Seminars. He brings over 20 years of experience in insurance industry.

Training Director

Tom Ripperda

Thomas H. Ripperda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois. His designations from the American College include Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), Charter Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow(LUTCF). Tom has been in the insurance industry since 1971 and is a Past President of NAIFA-Sikeston, MO and NAIFA-Eastside, IL. Today, he spends his time writing and conducting continuing education seminars for various professionals across the country. In the past, Tom served on the Board of Directors for NAIFA-Illinois. Outside of work, Rotary is his passion. He is a Past President of Rotary Club of St.Clair County (West) and slated to be District Governor for District 6510 in 2012-13. On October 30, 2008, Tom was awarded the Belleville's Citizen of Character Award for his community service work. In October of 2009, District 6510 awarded him the District Rotarian of the Year for his local and international service. In May 2011, Tom received the Carolyn Chapman Community Service Award from the Willard Scrivner Health Foundation