Staff

Agent Recruiters

 

Sharon Sawyer

Vice President
Recruiter, Colorado

I am the Vice President of ICA Agency Alliance, Inc. as well as the Recruiter for Colorado for the last 17 years. I have been in the insurance industry since I was 8 years old; my mom was an agent. My experience spans from being a captive agent

an independent agency owner, as well as upper management for a large carrier. When I am not recruiting, I enjoy my husband Mark, Harley riding, golf and traveling most in Mexico where we hope to retire someday. We have two sons, and our granddaughter just turned 15. We are animal lovers and currently own 2 small fur babies, Harley is turning 17 years old. We recently rescued a stray mutt and loving the boy. My most success is not only my private life, but my career with ICA Agency Alliance where I am able to help independent agencies grow and prosper.

 

James Matthews

Director of Business Development, California

I have over 25 years experience in the insurance industry performing sales, marketing, training and assisting agents in growing their businesses. I enjoy traveling, golf, museums, great food and reading. I have one son working in technology

in Silicon Valley and a daughter finishing her senior year in college at San Jose State University. I look forward to assisting our ICA/SIAA Agents in getting on board and being successful in their agencies.

 

Jim Pope

Agency Development
Field Specialist

Hi! I’m Jim, a life long insurance nerd. I have a degree in risk management and insurance with experience in both corporate and agency development.

Agency Underwriting

 

Susan Chavarry

Access Plus
Manager

I have been in the insurance industry for many years. I had my own Insurance Agency for a while, but my primary goal has always been to help others and I love options.

I felt that a better way to serve would be to join a fantastic company that has numerous carriers to be able to offer everyone additional options, too. When I am not being a workaholic, you will find me hiking with my grandkids. We love our Colorado Mountains and brilliant blue skies.

 

Violet Kasa

Commercial Lines
Underwriter

I am an insurance professional with extensive experience with commercial underwriting insurance. I evaluate each risk to determine appropriate coverage and placement while maintaining a profitable book of business and

a low loss ratio. I love to spend my spare time with my hubby, kids, and grandkids, outdoors hiking, boating, fishing, and gardening.

 

Jason Gallob

Personal Lines
Underwriter

As a Colorado native, I am an outdoors man. When I’m not spending time outdoors or with family, I’m working with insurance and have been for over 7 years.

 

Tisha Richardson

Personal Lines
Underwriter

I am a Texas native and have been in the insurance industry for over 5 years. My family relocated to Colorado a year and a half ago

and I have loved every minute of it. I enjoy anything outdoors with my husband and two kids and of course, I am a Dallas Cowboys fan.

 

Martin Tapiro

Member Services

I have a strong background in management and tech support, along with 2 years of insurance experience. I am A+ and Asurion certified. Proud dog owner and a nerd at heart! I’m also an avid board gamer and card game player.

 

Alicia Perry

Personal Lines
Training / Underwriting

I am a Colorado Springs native. I am married and a mom to 2 daughters. I stay busy outside of work with all my family’s sports activities. I’ve been in the insurance industry for 10 years and specialize in personal lines.

 

Steve Carlson

Commercial Lines
Underwriter

My insurance career started in 2004. I’m proud to be Colorado Native and Army Veteran and am also an alumni of University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. I have a passion for the outdoors and I enjoy mountain biking and camping with family and friends.

 

Ashley Campbell

Commercial Lines
Account Manager

Words I live by, “Life’s a roller coaster and I am hanging on for the ride.”
You never truly know what curveballs life will throw at you, but you know that we are here when something goes wrong. It’s part of why I am so passionate about insurance. I have been enjoying my career path

and helping other since 2017.
I admit to being a bit of a nerd. I love Dungeons and Dragons, watching science fiction, playing pool (billiards), and spending time with my hubby. Currently no kiddos but I do have a few fuzzies.

Novella Gomez

Personal Lines
Account Manager

I am a Colorado native. I have been in insurance for 5 years. I have a daughter, that has given me a 15 year old granddaughter & a 5 month old grandson. When not spending my time with my grandkids, I enjoy outdoor activities, cooking and vacationing different places.

Insurance Education

 

Barbara Ruppert, AAI

Education & Training
Manager

I joined ICA Agency Alliance in 2011 as a commercial lines access plus underwriter. In 2014 I created and started the ICA Agency Alliance Education and Training Department. I have over 35 years experience in the insurance industry, and when not working, I enjoy home remodeling, cooking, reading, and gardening. My husband and I live in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

Adam Zeidler

Senior Education and Sales Instructor

I joined the insurance industry back in 2007 working in a small independent agency in Woodland Park, Colorado. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys. I also enjoy watching the Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche.

 

Justine Ruppert

Education and Sales Instructor

I have been in the insurance business for about two years now. I have worked for both a large company and small agency in that time and have come to find my home here at ICA. Having gone to college for graphic design, this was quite the career change. I love to help others learn in a creative way so I am grateful for the opportunity ICA has created for me. I still create art on the side with freelance fine art and graphic design, so I really feel I’m getting the best of both worlds!

 

Jason Diffner, CIC, AU

Education and Sales Instructor

I started my insurance career in 2001 underwriting medical malpractice insurance for a regional carrier headquartered in Seattle. I worked for Risk Placement Services (RPS) from 2014 to 2018, underwriting multi-lines commercial focusing on social service and non-profit exposures. During my career, one of the things I enjoyed most was educating and training co-workers and clients.

With that passion, I am excited about the opportunity here with ICA to help insurance professionals develop their insurance education.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and five children. When not spending time with family, you will probably find my nose in a book.

 

Andrea Powell

Education and Sales Instructor

I recently joined ICA after moving from Arizona to Colorado. I’ve lived in Arizona all my life and decided I’ve had enough of the heat. I’m married, have 4 grown children and 2 Grandchildren. I love traveling, nature walks and reading.

Insurance has been my lifetime profession and passion. I understand insurance is a critical part of our lives and truly value the trust each and everyone of my customers places in me. I feel honored to be a part of the ICA team of insurance professionals and look forward to making a difference in the lives of those that I cross paths with.

Corporate Office

 

Phillip Fox

President

As President of Insurance Centers of America, Inc. and its subsidiary company ICA Agency Alliance, Inc., it has been a pleasure to work with the customers, staff, and agents associated with our organization. Without the trust and support of our customers, ICA would not be the success we have enjoyed for the last 40 years

in our marketing states of Colorado and California. I would like to personally thank those long time loyal and new customers for allowing ICA to be their insurance representative.

My insurance career started in the late 1970’s first as an insurance agent and then, shortly afterword, owner of Insurance Centers. I was joined in the ownership of the company by a long time, yet very young, employee Tammy Beaudette who started with the company shortly before I bought the insurance agency. Together we have owned, managed, and operated Insurance Centers for one very long time, thanks again to our customers, staff, and agents.

The breadth and depth of ICA has changed dramatically through the years from a minimal local independent insurance agency in Colorado Springs to a multi-state operation with over 130 contracted agents and currently a staff of 27 employees with great experience and knowledge of the property and casualty insurance business. ICA is affiliated as a territorial manager of SIAA (Strategic Independent Agents Alliance), the largest independent insurance agent association in the country. This has allowed ICA and its customers to enjoy the benefits of being part of a significant industry leader, the even better benefit of a local and personally engaged independent insurance agency. ICA’s staff has been serving the Colorado and California areas for a long time with the best service, writing insurance companies and products available. We hope to continue offering those services for a long time in the future.

 

Tammy Beaudette

Executive Vice
President

My insurance career began during my senior year in high school back in 1979 working part time at a State Farm office. I became aware of an opening at, then, Al Welsh Insurance Center in 1980 and made the big move from State Farm to an Independent Agency. My mother was worried.

She wasn’t sure that an Independent Agency would be around in years to come but was certain State Farm would be. I took a chance, that was nearly 40 years ago.

The agency has evolved into a large multi department agency through the direction of Phil Fox. Phil purchased Al Welsh Insurance Center in 1981 and the journey began. He has an uncanny ability to see the potential in people and I am very grateful that he saw potential in me. I joined him in ownership of the agency many years ago and together we’ve worked to provide solutions for our customers with their insurance needs and a work atmosphere that helps us retain the best employees. We have had the great fortune of having longtime customer and employee relationships. Even after all these years, I still look forward to coming into the office to help our clients.

Life outside of the office is family oriented. I love spending time with my kids and now grandkids, camping, fishing, hunting and just about anything outdoors.

 

Charlene Whelen

Vice President/COO

ICA Agency Alliance, Inc.

I have been in the insurance industry for many years and I’m passionate about helping our agents and ICA Agency Alliance to be very successful. I enjoy fishing, camping and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Marketing Department

 

Tim Warren

Technology &
Marketing Manager

I have 20 years of insurance industry experience and the last 16 years have been here with ICA. Being a tech head opened up being the IT/marketing guy.

I spend my spare time working on computers, playing video games and working on cars.

 

Adam King

Assistant Manager of
Marketing & Technology

You just got here! This is crazy! So call me maybe (Ext 112)

 

Sarah Bakker

Marketing &
Graphic Design

My passion has always been art, whether it is photogrpahy, designing, or music, it’s what makes me happy. I have been a graphic web designer for 10 years

and have found I really enjoy coding websites too. When I’m not working on the computer, you can find me outside walking my cats, hiking, biking and photographing the beautiful Colorado landscapes.

Insurance Centers Staff

 

Tammy Beaudette

Executive Vice
President

My insurance career began during my senior year in high school back in 1979 working part time at a State Farm office. I became aware of an opening at, then,

Al Welsh Insurance Center in 1980 and made the big move from State Farm to an Independent Agency. My mother was worried. She wasn’t sure that an Independent Agency would be around in years to come but was certain State Farm would be. I took a chance, that was nearly 40 years ago.

The agency has evolved into a large multi department agency through the direction of Phil Fox. Phil purchased Al Welsh Insurance Center in 1981 and the journey began. He has an uncanny ability to see the potential in people and I am very grateful that he saw potential in me. I joined him in ownership of the agency many years ago and together we’ve worked to provide solutions for our customers with their insurance needs and a work atmosphere that helps us retain the best employees. We have had the great fortune of having longtime customer and employee relationships. Even after all these years, I still look forward to coming into the office to help our clients.

Life outside of the office is family oriented. I love spending time with my kids and now grandkids, camping, fishing, hunting and just about anything outdoors.

 

TJ Klassen

Personal Lines
Account Executive

I have been in the industry since 1984 and have been an insurance broker selling personal lines for over 13 years. I love helping people understand their policies so they are protected.

 

Sam Strecker

Senior Commercial Lines
Account Manager

It all started back in 2004 when I was about 15 or 16. My folks got me a car and told me it was my responsibility to pay for the gas and insurance,

so I asked my mom for a job (Tammy). I began working at Insurance Centers of America as the assistant account manager to the Commercial Lines Department. During that time I developed our organizational systems for documentation, which we still use today. Then in 2013 I decided it was probably about time I became a licensed agent. After passing the insurance exam I became an account manager, a position I still hold today, and then in 2017 took on majority of the admin responsibilities for our management systems. At 15/16 it wasn’t even a thought to make insurance a career for myself, but I’m glad that’s where life has brought me. I’m a Colorado Springs native and like most Coloradans enjoy the outdoors, micro-brews, and spending time with the people I love!”

 

Charlotte Kopera

Personal Lines
Account Manager

I started working in insurance 4 years ago, wanting to understand my own coverages. I am now licensed for property, casualty and life insurance.

I have 3 children, two being grown with their own children. I have lived in Colorado springs since I was 1 year old pretty much a native! Love the outdoors!

 

Kathleen Trujillo

Personal Lines
Account Manager

I started my career in 2009 working as a receptionist for Brown & Brown Insurance, one of the largest insurance brokers in the world. This is where my passion for helping others through the channel of insurance grew.

While raising my daughters and attending college full-time I studied to become a licensed insurance agent. I quickly earned a spot on the personal lines team as an account manager. I worked closely with my clients to create an insurance protection plan that fit their individual needs. In 2014 I relocated from Taos, NM to Colorado Springs and worked for USAA for a little over 5 years servicing and writing insurance in all 50 states working very closely with military families. In October of 2020 I launched my own insurance agency here in Colorado Springs. The financial devastation of the pandemic did not allow for my business to continue and I made a tough choice to close my doors in February 2021. In May 2021, I joined the team here at Insurance Centers of America as a Personal Lines Account Manager. I’m excited to be working with such honest, knowledgeable, and courteous insurance professionals and look forward to many years with this great company.

 

Justin Hartleib

Personal Lines
Account Manager

Hi, I’m Justin. Originally from North Dakota, I moved to Colorado at the age of 18. I have been in the insurance industry since 2006, and I am very excited to be part of the Insurance Centers of America Team.

In my free time I love camping with my wife Alisa and dog Barney. I also like anything vintage from cars and motorcycles to vinyl records and video games.

 

Cheryl Renteria

Commercial Lines
Account Manager

I have been at Insurance Centers of America for 8 years and been in the insurance business for 33 years.

Besides insurance, I enjoy the working out at the gym and being outdoors.

 

Jessica Holder

Commercial Lines
Account Manager

I have been in the insurance industry since 2013, and I started at ICA in June of 2017. I love working for a company that truly values

their customers and provides them with the coverage they need and coverage that they understand. In my spare time I enjoy hiking with my pup Yoshi, spending time with family and friends and reading.

 

Chris Viton

Account Executive

I have been in the insurance industry for the past seven years and worked with a local American Family Agent here in Colorado Springs. A native of Illinois I worked in Bank Management in the midwest

for many years before moving to Colorado with my wife and son in 2013. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, photography, and woodworking.

 

Glen Kasa

Agency
Operations

I moved to CO in 2004 and got married to my beautiful wife, Elena, in 2009. We’ve been blessed with two wonderful children,

Bella in 2010 and Noah in 2014. I’ve been in the insurance industry since 2013 and thoroughly enjoy every aspect of working with and helping people. One of my goals in life is to hike every 14er in CO.