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
Chairman
Roderic G. Giltz, CPCU
Chief Executive Officer
Deena Giltz McCullough, CIC, CRM, GPCC
President & Chief Operating Officer
Ed Davis, CIC, CRM
Chief Financial Officer
Brenda B. LaRose
Vice President
Tammy Bell-Martin, CIC, CRM, CISR
Vice President
Tiffany Garcia, CIC
Vice President
Collin McCullough, CIC
Chief Information Security Officer
Jason Bruce, MST
Associate Vice President
Tanya LaShombe, REBC, CIC
Associate Vice President
Kristi Johnson, REBC
Associate Vice President
Bryce Hanson, CIC, CISR
Business Insurance Division
Senior Manager, Business Insurance Division
Samantha Cross, CISR Elite
Manager, Business Insurance Division
Ashley Hardman, CISR
Senior Account Executive
Christine Davis, CISR Elite
Executive Assistant &
Business Insurance Specialist
Selena Banker, CRIS, CISR Elite
Senior Account Executive & Systems Manager
Sarah Cronk-Duquette, CISR Elite
Business Insurance Support Specialist
Theresa Higgins-Witkiewicz
Senior Sales Executive
Melissa Davidson, CIC
Business Insurance Support Specialist
Amanda Terrance
Marketing Supervisor
Elizabeth Lavigne
Account Executive
Karen Bernardi, CISR
Sales Executive Assistant
Caryn Harrington
Senior Account Executive
Chelsea Chaplin
Sales Executive Assistant
Kendra Chabica
Sales Executive
Alex Wray
Marketing Coordinator
Lee Piccomelli
Life & Employee Benefits Division
Karen has a prior background in medical practice management and is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She joined Northern Insuring in 2023 and was promoted to Manager of Life and Employee Benefits in 2025. Karen oversees the day-to-day functions of the department and manages customer service support staff as well as providing direct support to clients.
Karen holds a license in Life, Accident and Health.
Manager, 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 inquires 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
Dominique earned her Bachelors' degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and carries a New York State Life, Accident and Health license. She has worked in insurance for more than 10 years.
Dominique has a passion for customer service and uses that to assist clients on a daily basis.
Outside of work, she enjoys baking, crafting and spending time with her family.
Senior Sales Executive Assistant
Dominique Dragon
Personal Insurance 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. Along with selling personal insurance and managing the customer service employees, she is the marketing director for the department.
Senior Manager, PID; Marketing Director
Melissa Kokofsky, CISR Elite
Paula graduated from Northeastern Central School in 1998. With prior background in retail management, she joined Northern Insuring in 2017 and was promoted to Sales Manager of the Personal Insurance Division in 2025. Paula specializes in selling insurance to suit the client's needs. As manager, she works closely with the sales staff to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous development. In addition, Paula leads department meetings and oversees the training of new employees.
Sales Manager, Personal Lines Division
Paula DeAngelo, CISR Elite
Tami is a Sales Executive Assistant in the Personal Insurance Division. Based in our Plattsburgh office, she handles the day-to-day policy maintenance, mortgagee changes along with any billing questions.
Senior Sales Executive Assistant
Tami Vaughan
Nick is a 2001 graduate of Plattsburgh High School. He holds a Broker's license in personal insurance. Nick reviews the insurance for the clients of the Plattsburgh office and determines whether a new carrier would be a better fit.
Senior Retention Specialist
Nick Bouyea, CISR
Rhonda graduated Fort Edward Union Free in 1999 and has been working in insurance since 2005. She holds her NYS Property & Casualty license. Rhonda sells personal lines insurance and reviews policies for current clients to make sure they're receiving the best rates.
Senior Sales Executive
Rhonda Rosick
Ashley graduated from Norwood-Norfolk High School in 2002. After 16 years in the restaurant industry, she made the change to insurance. She holds a Broker's license in Personal Insurance. Ashley assists with policy changes and making sure her clients have the best possible rates. She lives in Massena with multiple fur babies.
Sales Executive
Ashley Kalman-Smith
Jessica graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations. She comes to Northern Insuring with nearly a decade of customer service background. Jessica earned her Broker's license in Personal Insurance in October 2025. She handles processing and service of Personal Insurance Accounts throughout our three offices.
Customer Service Specialist
Jessica Belmosto
Jessica graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2022
Retention Specialist Assistant
Chrystina Chaney
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 managing the Administrative Support Division, she handles accounting, benefits administration, and payroll, assisting all divisions within the agency.
Manager, Administrative Support Division
Michael-Ann Strack
Plattsburgh Office
Email: michaelanns@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2133
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 event planning, public relations, and advertising. Taylor lives with her husband, four children, and two dogs in Plattsburgh.
Administrative Coordinator & Advertising
Taylor Manabat
Plattsburgh Office
Email: taylorm@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-825-2144
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.
Chelsea is typically the first face you'll see when you come to Northern Insuring's Plattsburgh office. She is a 2007 graduate of Plattsburgh High School, and has more than a decade of experience in administrative roles. She assists all employees, in each division with word processing and provides a helping hand in any other way she can.
Receptionist
Chelsea Cooley
Plattsburgh Office
Email: chelseac@northerninsuring.com
Direct Line: 518-561-7000
K-9 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.
Zoom specializes in employee and customer emotional and physical support. She often greets people at the front door with a wagging tuffet, is happy to join team members on walks and offers unconditional belly rubs. She has trained all her life for this position and takes to heart her important role. In her spare time she loves chasing balls, playing with other friendly cats and dogs and listening intently at meetings while remaining confidential.
Chief Comfort Officer
Zoom McCullough
Plattsburgh Office
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.
Lilly is our full-time expert in emotional support, stress reduction, and spontaneous joy. Armed with a highly advanced tail-wagging system and zero concept of personal space, she greets every visitor like they’re her long-lost best friend. Lilly enjoys high-speed squirrel surveillance, competitive ball chasing, and networking with fellow four-legged professionals
Chief Happiness Officer
Lilly Giltz
Plattsburgh Office
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.
Oliver is a fluffy boy who brings endless happiness to our staff each day and yes, he knows it. With his calm, gentle nature and irresistibly soft coat, he brightens every room he walks in. He takes his role seriously, offering quiet companionship, warm welcomes, and the occasional well-timed cuddle.
Chief Pawsitivity Officer
Oliver Bell-Martin
Plattsburgh Office