Our People
Northern Insuring Agency, Inc. is the largest locally-owned, independent insurance agency covering the Northern New York Region with offices in Plattsburgh, Potsdam, and Glens Falls, New York.
Northern Insuring Agency Officers
In addition to his role as Chairman, Rod oversees Northern Insuring’s financials and continues to handle select clients. As a member of the sales team, he specializes in risk management for governmental entities and large business accounts. Rod holds a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University as well as the designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter. He is actively involved with the community, serving in a leadership role with numerous organizations.
Chairman
Roderic G. Giltz, CPCU
Deena is a third-generation Chief Executive Officer and the leader of Northern Insuring Agency. She provides vision, experience, and strategic thinking and is responsible for sound financial long-term planning. Personal passions include a commitment to sharing profits with the team, developing the next generation of leaders, and providing high level insurance and risk management guidance. Deena is highly recognized for her leadership and commitment to the local community. Deena is a notary public.
Chief Executive Officer
Deena Giltz McCullough, CIC, CRM, ACC
Named President and Chief Operating Officer of Northern Insuring Agency, Inc. in 2023, Edward J. Davis is the first non-family president since 1941. He is knowledgeable, dedicated and a strong strategist within the team.
Ed’s leadership enhances the corporate vision and drives the strategic plan, and he oversees the daily operations of the company.
Ed attended Massena Central High School and graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 1996 with a BS, majoring in Economics/Finance and minoring in Communication. He holds two designations, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager, and his leadership across divisions and throughout the organization continues to promote and develop a positive sales culture.
President & Chief Operating Officer
Ed Davis, CIC, CRM
Randy began working in an underwriting training program and returned in 1990 to the family-run agency. As Senior Vice President, Randy is a member of the sales team and specializes in risks for schools, as well as real estate, contracting and non-profit businesses. Randy leads the marketing team by nurturing relationships with insurance carriers. In his personal life, he is married with 3 children and an avid outdoorsman.
Senior Vice President
Randy Giltz, CPCU, CSRM, TRA, CIC
As a veteran of the agency, Brenda started at Northern Insuring in the mail room and worked her way into the role of CFO. Brenda’s responsibilities include overseeing the financial operations of the organization including payroll, accounts payable and receivables. She also retains her role as Talent Manager for the inside staff including Human Resource duties and benefits administration.
​
Chief Financial Officer
Brenda B. LaRose
Tammy began at Northern Insuring in the Personal Lines Division. In 2006, she joined the Business Insurance Division sales team handling a wide range of clients. In addition to her sales responsibilities, she is the Personal Insurance Division Talent Leader, responsible for coaching and mentoring employees.
​
​
​
Vice President
Tammy Bell-Martin, CIC, CRM, CISR
Jason’s duties include managing and overseeing network and information infrastructures. His exceptional IT skill-set paired with his jack-of-all-trades approach to problem-solving have made him an indispensable asset to the Northern Insuring team. In addition to IT work, Jason handles all grounds and maintenance work for all three of Northern’s offices.
​
​
Chief Information Security Officer
Jason Bruce, MST
In her eighth year of working with Northern Insuring, Tanya was promoted to Associate Vice President. Holding both her CIC and REBC designations, she works in both our Life & Employee Benefits Department, as well as our Business Insurance Division, and can aide with a variety of your company’s insurance needs.
Associate Vice President
Tanya LaShombe, REBC, CIC
Tiffany manages the sales staff in the Business Insurance, and Life & Employee Benefits divisions, including mentoring, monitoring performance, and taking on sales issues that may arise from time to time. She continues to provide custom insurance proposals for businesses of all size. She holds a Property & Casualty license and has earned her CIC designation.
Associate Vice President
Tiffany Garcia, CIC
Kristi attended Trinity College of Vermont and Binghamton University. She holds the NYS Life, Accident & Health Insurance license, VT Non-Resident Life, Accident & Health license, and NYS Property & Casualty license. She is authorized to offer Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D plans. She resides in Peru with her husband, children and numerous fur babies.
Kristi is a notary public.
Associate Vice President
Kristi Johnson, REBC
Zoom specializes in employee and customer emotional support. She often greets people at the door with a wagging tail. Zoom has trained all her life for this position. In her spare time, Zoom likes to chase stuffies, roll around on the floor, steal socks and shoes, and sniff under desks for crumbs.
​
​
​
​
Comfort, Happiness or Welcome Officer (CHoW)
Zoom McCullough
Plattsburgh Office
Emotional Support Division
Start Year: 2020
​
Business Insurance Division
Sam began in the accounting department and now manages 9 direct reports in the Business Insurance Division. She holds an Associates Degree in Business from Jefferson Community College, is a Notary Public, and licensed in Property & Casualty.
Manager, Business Insurance Division
Samantha Cross, CISR Elite
Ashley graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Global Supply Chain Management. As supervisor, Ashley conducts department meetings and assists with agency insurance licenses and education. She also specializes in processing and servicing Business Insurance Accounts. She is licensed in Property & Casualty.
Supervisor, Business Insurance Division
Ashley Hardman, CISR
Chris brings a high level of support to sales executives and specializes in New York State School Crime coverage. She attended SUNY Canton and received her Associates Degree in Business. She is licensed in Property & Casualty.
Senior Account Executive
Christine Davis, CISR Elite
Selena services a variety of business accounts, specializing in contractor insurance and bonding. She has an extensive knowledge of both small and large business accounts and holds a NYS Property & Casualty license . In addition to insurance, Selena is our in-house organizer for United Way of the Adirondack Region. Personally, she is also a licensed cosmetologist, support branch member of the South Plattsburgh Fire Department.
Selena is a Notary Public
Executive Assistant &
Business Insurance Specialist
Selena Banker, CRIS, CISR Elite
Sarah specializes in processing and servicing Business Insurance accounts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from SUNY Plattsburgh and is licensed in Property & Casualty. In addition to insurance, Sarah handles the advertising and public relations for Northern Insuring, and manages the various computer programs used throughout the agency.
Senior Account Executive & Systems Manager
Sarah Cronk-Duquette, CISR Elite
Theresa assists the sales staff and their assistants with the day-to-day servicing needs on their accounts. She continues to grow and expand her knowledge of the insurance industry.
Business Insurance Support Specialist
Theresa Higgins-Witkiewicz
Bryce earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Elmira College. At Northern Insuring, he provides tailored insurance proposals and risk management approaches for businesses throughout Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, and Essex counties. Away from the office, he is a hockey coach for the North Country Youth Hockey and Adirondack 46ers organizations.
Senior Sales Executive
Bryce Hanson, CIC, CISR
Plattsburgh & Potsdam Offices
Email: bryceh@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2131
Start Year: 2016
Collin joined the Business Insurance Division, first as a Marketing Coordinator before moving to a Sales Executive role in the summer of 2020. As the fourth generation of the Giltz/McCullough family to work at Northern Insuring, Collin is dedicated to helping local businesses protect what they love most all while forging connections in the North Country.
Marketing Director
Collin McCullough, CIC
Sarah brings more than a decade of insurance and customer service experience. Sarah is a Regents graduate of Hudson Falls Central School District and holds her Property & Casualty license. She spends her free time with family and her fur babies.
Account Executive
Sarah Genier, CISR
Melissa is dual licensed in the State of New York for Property & Casualty as well as Life, Accident & Health. She is actively involved with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves as an ambassador. She serves as Board President for the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation Board and a board member for Common Roots Foundation.
Senior Sales Executive
Melissa Davidson, CIC
Amanda specializes in customer service as the frontline in greeting people via phone or in person. She assists with numerous administrative duties support for the business insurance team and handles the licensing and education for the entire agency. Amanda holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from SUNY Canton.
Amanda is a Notary Public
Business Insurance Support Specialist
Amanda Terrance
Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Plattsburgh State University in 2019. She is licensed for Life, Accident & Health, and Property & Casualty insurance. She works alongside the Business Division sales staff to make sure clients are placed with a carrier best fit for their needs. Elizabeth is also a notary public.
Marketing Lead
Elizabeth Lavigne
Plattsburgh Office
Email: elizabethl@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2138
Start Year: 2021
Karen holds an Associates in Science degree from Paul Smiths College. Karen is licensed for Property & Casualty insurance and specializes in processing and servicing Business Insurance Accounts for the Plattsburgh office.
Sales Executive Assistant
Karen Bernardi
Caryn is a North Country native, and comes to Northern Insuring with nearly 20 years of customer service in various fields, including personal insurance. She holds a NYS Property & Casualty license.
Sales Executive Assistant
Caryn Harrington
Life & Employee Benefits Division
Karen has a background in medical practice management and holds a license in Life, Accident & Health. In addition, she is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Karen is the liaison between clients and carriers, to answer day-to-day questions and concerns. She manages company inquiries and client files, resolves service problems, and finalizes policy adjustments.
Supervisor, Life & Employee Benefits
Karen Barber
Christina comes from a background in claims management in the health care arena and 20 years of customer service. She holds a license in Life, Accident & Health.
Christina is the liaison between clients and carriers, to answer day-to-day questions and concerns. She manages company inquiries and client files, resolves service problems, and finalizes policy adjustments.​
Christina lives with her husband and three children in Northern New York and enjoys camping with her family.
Sales Executive Assistant
Christina King
Plattsburgh Office
Email: christinak@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2156
Start Year: 2024
Personal Insurance Division
Senior Manager, Personal Lines Division
Melissa Kokofsky, CISR Elite
Supervisor, Personal Lines Division
Paula DeAngelo, CISR
Sales Executive Assistant
Tami Vaughan
Senior Retention Specialist
Nick Bouyea, CISR
Senior Account Manager
Rhonda Rosick
Sales Executive
Ashley Kalman-Smith
Customer Service Specialist
Kim Polhemus
Administrative Support Division
Melissa graduated from Beekmantown Central School in 1986 and has worked her way up through Northern Insuring, becoming Senior Manager and Sales Coordinator of the Personal Insurance Division. She holds a Property & Casualty license along with a Certified Insurance Service Representative Elite designation.
Melissa graduated from Beekmantown Central School in 1986 and has worked her way up through Northern Insuring, becoming Senior Manager and Sales Coordinator of the Personal Insurance Division. She holds a Property & Casualty license along with a Certified Insurance Service Representative Elite designation.
Michael-Ann is a 2004 graduate of AuSable Valley Central School District. In addition to handling the accounting for Northern Insuring, she manages the Administrative Support Division, assisting all divisions within the agency.
Manager, Administrative Support Division
Michael-Ann Strack
Plattsburgh Office
Email: michaelanns@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2133
Start Year: 2007
Melissa graduated from Beekmantown Central School in 1986 and has worked her way up through Northern Insuring, becoming Senior Manager and Sales Coordinator of the Personal Insurance Division. She holds a Property & Casualty license along with a Certified Insurance Service Representative Elite designation.
Melissa graduated from Beekmantown Central School in 1986 and has worked her way up through Northern Insuring, becoming Senior Manager and Sales Coordinator of the Personal Insurance Division. She holds a Property & Casualty license along with a Certified Insurance Service Representative Elite designation.
Taylor graduated from Peru Central School District in 2009. She comes to Northern Insuring with more than a decade of administrative experience. She assists all departments within the agency with clerical duties, as well as assists with event planning and public relations. Taylor lives with her husband, four children, and two dogs in Plattsburgh.
Administrative Assistant
Taylor Manabat
Plattsburgh Office
Email: taylorm@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2144
Start Year: 2024