Meet the team
As the Chief Growth Officer and Partner at Preferred Insurance Center, I have a decade of expertise in risk management for the manufacturing and social service sectors. I excel in negotiating comprehensive commercial line coverage and ensuring customer satisfaction. I am a skilled leader, trained in top industry programs like Sandler and Keystone's Top 20, dedicated to empowering my team and driving business growth. My mission is to streamline risk management, helping our clients succeed in complex environments.
I started my insurance career in 2010 as a licensed insurance sales agent specializing in personal lines with a national independant agency. In 2013, I joined team Preferred learning the day to day operations focusing on efficiencies and stream lining process and procedure within our personal ines side of the industry. I absolutely love my job, our team, and the experiences with the new and ever-changing curveballs the industry brings. In 2010, she married her high school sweetheart, Joe, and they have two amazing daughters, Norah and Isla.
Andrea is an accomplished Senior Account Manager in Commercial Insurance, boasting over 8 years of industry experience. With a passion for exceptional service and strong client relationships, she is a trusted advisor to numerous businesses. Known for integrity, professionalism, and a results-driven approach, Andrea has earned the respect of clients and colleagues alike. She upholds high service standards, leveraging her expertise to help businesses thrive in a dynamic insurance landscape. Committed to continuing education, she stays abreast of insurance trends affecting her clients. Outside of work, Andrea volunteers with nonprofits to better her community.
Matt Emberga, a seasoned professional currently working at Preferred Insurance Center. With a robust background spanning various departments including Business Insurance, Farm Insurance, and Commercial Insurance Marketing, Matt's expertise shines through. As a back office expert, Matt brings over two years of invaluable experience in customer service support and 2 years of experience in the Insurance field to the table. His dedication to delivering top-notch service and building meaningful connections with people sets him apart. Matt is deeply committed to upholding a culture of excellence and genuine care within the community, making him a highly sought-after teammate in the agency.
Symone Schneider, a Personal Lines Account Manager, at Preferred Insurance Center who thoroughly enjoys being a part of this industry and team. I reside in Celina, Ohio with my husband Chris and our 4 children. Some of my favorite things include boating on our town lake, vacationing, football season, and honestly anything outdoors that includes a sunny day with family & friends!
I am married to my husband Steve and we reside in Neptune with our son, Landon. We enjoy spending time with family, vacationing, camping and just making memories. Preferred has become so much more than just an employer. My teammates are a second support system that has turned into lifelong friendships. I love the opportunities this position creates by working with our community and local charities. I learn something new everyday and take pride in my work that I hope is reflected in the service I provide.
I was raised in Maria Stein and grew up with a passion to watch and play sports. I attended Wright State University in Dayton and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. I decided to come back to Mercer County in 2016 and got married to my wife Rachel in 2023. I am now working with a fantastic group of people and have a new respect for this area after seeing how much love and support we have. I am looking forward to growing with this company and actively helping our communities in the process.
My name is Aubrey, and I reside in St. Marys with my husband, Travis, and our two kids. I enjoy being outdoors with my family, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. I also enjoy reading a good book with a cup of coffee.I am a personal lines account manager here at Preferred, and I love the challenge of this job, along with my teammates who have become good friends. I enjoy working with the community and our local charities. This is more than just a job, we all work together as a team to provide our clients with peace of mind knowing our team cares.
As the President of Bonds, Nevin specializes in SBA, standard and non-standard construction bonds, commercial bonds, and supply bonds. Prior to joining Keystone, Nevin was the Assistant Vice President of Surety and Insurance at the HDH Group, where he worked with clients to lower the seen and unseen costs of insurance while increasing bond capacity and positive financial standing. He also served as CEO for Velocity Financial Services. Nevin is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance.
Consultant in the employee benefits space with concentration in all facets of healthcare industry – managed care contracting, direct-to-employer contracting, claims processing / administration, rate / actuarial analyses, and myriad cost reduction strategies on the self-funded space. Joe drives value to our agencies in several ways: subject matter expert in employee benefit plans, structuring best potential outcomes for their clients and generating growth through external business development. Past projects have afforded the opportunity to deal with the government at the Federal, State and Local levels. Industries of concentration include hospital / physician / provider organizations, manufacturing, distribution, banking, and real estate. Proven ability to increase direct and indirect revenue through the creation of strategic partnerships and alliances. Joe is a graduate of John Carroll University with a degree in Business/Operations Management. He and his wife Jen have two college-aged daughters.
As our Chief Claims Officer, Katherine, is a 28-year veteran of insurance claims, 26 years working at insurance carriers. She assists agents with coverage questions ensuring their customers receive the full benefits of coverage afforded under their policies. She also assists agents in ensuring their clients receive prompt and thorough claims handling, proper liability determinations and damages decisions. Monitoring complex claims and large exposure claims are key elements of her services. Prior to joining Keystone, Katherine was the VP of Claims for Acadia Insurance, a regional company of W.R. Berkley. Prior to joining Acadia, Katherine held numerous roles with The Hanover, including Director of Home Office Claims Quality, Manager of Claims Learning and Development, Manager of Casualty Claims, and years as a claims litigation team leader and adjuster. Katherine holds professional designations of CPCU, CRIS, SCLA, and AIC. She also is a graduate of Husson University with an MBA in Risk Management and a graduate of University of Southern Maine with a MS in Counseling.
Michael Kuiros serves as the Director of DOT and Fleet Services at Keystone. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, Michael plays a pivotal role in enhancing the safety and efficiency of fleet operations of all sizes. With a focus on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, Michael is well-versed in the complexities of compliance within the transportation industry. His deep understanding of these regulations allows him to provide valuable insights and guidance to the organization's partners, ensuring they remain in compliance and minimize risk exposure. Michael holds his Property and Casualty License in Pennsylvania, which enables him to leverage his expertise to assist our organization's partners and their clients in improving their risk profiles, ultimately making them more attractive to the insurance marketplace. Michael obtained his bachelor’s degree in safety management from Slippery Rock University.
Ted Beach is dedicated to developing long-term relationships with his clients as he helps them determine their objectives, develop a plan, and deliver solutions. He focuses on educating his clients and providing clear explanations and up-to-date information in a way that is easy to understand. Ted’s passion is to devote his services and time helping people take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and related products. His focus is to help advisors and their high- net-worth clients and business owners leverage their assets and help increase their legacy through tax- efficient planning. Ted graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 licenses, in addition to numerous insurance licenses.