"I didn't want to be one of those guys who said "I should've"."
It was 19XX and Richard "Dick" Farrell had just passed the tests to become a rookie underwriting representative for a large insurance carrier when he was promoted into a managerial position in a field in which he had no training, no experience and no guidance. However, rather than shy away from his new responsibility he embraced it and rapidly rose through the corporate ranks.
Many years later, after listening to his peers lament about their missed career opportunities, Dick realized that he needed to pursue his own dreams and ambitions, and he left the carrier side of insurance. He became the partner of a local independent agency, and it was there that his dedication to providing the best insurance coverage for each client took hold.
Our company motto "Because Coverage Matters" fully embraces the culture that Dick created back in 1971 and has nurtured ever since. His belief that insurance protection is only as good as the agent representing it has helped our company grow and strengthen over the years.
Jarrett's passion is insurance. It has been ever since he decided not to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon, but specialize in insurance instead! So how did this life altering decision come about? Let's back up a bit... After graduating Hunterdon Central HS Jarrett started at the University of Miami in Ohio to study Sports Medicine. While he was pre-med, Jarrett accompanied a medical group performing ophthalmology and eye surgeries for the less fortunate in the Dominican Republic. Upon his return Jarrett took the MCATS, but before applying for medical school he realized the politics of medicine and insurance had changed and he saw an opportunity to do more good on the insurance side. In 2001 Jarrett obtained his NJ insurance license and has never looked back. Jarrett continues to bring in new accounts and still makes time for his family and golf.
Malena has been working at Cedar Risk since the ripe old age of 16, with the exception of a 4 year stint obtaining her BA in Renaissance British Literature (a.k.a. Shakespeare) at James Madison University. After graduation Malena became a full time insurance producer, first exploring the world of home and auto before realizing her passion in business insurance.
Learning about the insurance industry is truly a passion for Malena. She obtained her CISR designation in 2006, her CRIS designation in 2009, and is almost done with her CIC designation! In 2010 she won the NJ CSR Of The Year award from the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. In 2017 she was named one of the Elite Women in Insurance and one of the Hot 100 Influencers in her industry. Malena specializes in helping medium to large sized companies identify their insurance needs and then negotiates the best coverage and pricing options to meet those needs.
Malena loves puppies (especially her superpup Pixie), traveling, outdoor exercise (running, swimming, hiking, camping, OCRs, triathlons, etc.) and her amazing husband who still makes her heart flutter.
Sean has 25+ years’ experience in the health insurance and benefits market. Sean’s insurance expertise, coupled with his previous experience as a both a business owner and controller, afford him a unique perspective on the continually changing benefits landscape and clients’ medical and ancillary needs. Sean specializes in group, individual and Medicare plans, as well as PEO/employee leasing options. His financial accounting background enables him to help clients maintain their budget/fiscal goals while assembling comprehensive employee benefit packages. Sean earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Villanova University and has maintained a New Jersey Life & Health Producer license since 1995.
Robin has been in the insurance world for 18 years, and loves it! Robin's focus is on risk management, which results in an overall reduction in the cost of risk to clients, including insurance premiums. She is a master at understanding your business and believes relationships are key in getting clients what they need at the best price. Working with Cedar Risk, she continuously seeks innovation in her work, while holding onto the traditional values of service and professionalism. She is an insurance nerd and is quite proud of it!
Rachel's passion for art, painting and ballet makes it surprising that she ended up in insurance! A lifelong resident of Hunterdon County, Rachel graduated from Kean University with a BA in Fine Arts and decided that pursuing a career as an art teacher just wasn't for her. She started working as a waitress/bartender straight from college and after 8 years in the restaurant industry a friend encouraged her to apply for the role of Central NJ Account Manager for Sam Adams. She got the job and soon fell in love with the "other side of the bar", managing territories in Central/Northern NJ and Delaware.
Rachel recently decided to explore yet another side of the restaurant and alcoholic beverages industry by obtaining her NJ insurance license and joining Cedar Risk. Her outgoing, bubbly personality and extensive industry knowledge make Rachel a valuable addition to the Cedar family, and we are excited to have her on board.
When Tara graduated high school she obtained a certification in phlebotomy, but discovered just how tough it was to get into that industry. She switched her focus completely to insurance and joined her local Allstate office. After 6 months she decided that the restrictions of a captive agency just wasn't for her - she didn't like only having one solution for her clients and having to slash coverages just to "make the sale". Tara took her future into her own hands and sent her resume to Cedar Risk where it just so happened that we were looking for a new producer to join our team! The rest is history.
As a Property & Casualty producer, Tom helps provide insurance solutions for individuals, business owners and professionals. Upon entering the insurance arena some 30+ years ago, Tom worked on the corporate side as a claims examiner. As his knowledge expanded so did his responsibilities and soon Tom had worked his way up to the supervisory and middle-management levels.
In 2003 Tom broadened his scope and obtained his NJ agent's license. A few years later he made the leap from the corporate realm to the independent agency side and has never looked back. His particular expertise with Accountant's E&O insurance has earned him a stellar reputation both locally and statewide.
Augie started her career working in Administration at the regional training center for Honeywell in New York City. She then moved to Massachusetts and worked in various administrative positions at the corporate engineering office of Corning Medical, now Bayer.
In 1992, Augie moved to Farmingdale, NJ and used her administrative skills in the position of PTA Co-President and Assistant to Vice Principal at St. Veronica School. She then turned her attention to the exciting world of insurance working as a client administrator and office manager.
In her current role at Cedar Risk Management she is the Account Manager for all group clients. Her genuine concern for our clients well-being, as well as her invaluable support to the Cedar team, makes her a pleasure to work with.
Barbara started in the insurance industry in 1994, working with our president, Dick Farrell, way before Cedar Risk Management was even conceived. Previously an Administrative Assistant in a large corporate environment, Barbara took time off to raise her three children, before obtaining her NJ insurance license in 2002.
A key member of the account management team, Barbara specializes in Personal Lines and provides a high level of service and support to our clients for Home, Auto, Flood and everything in between. Although Barbara has switched to part-time hours she remains a critical part of Cedar's customer service unit and is a valuable resource to peers, colleagues and clients.
Sadly, Barbara retired in 2017 (though we're hoping she will come back!) Retired or not, she will forever be part of our family.
Bea is one of our Insurance Advisors specializing in Personal Lines. With a background in claims servicing and commercial lines, Bea makes sure that every client has the appropriate coverage and limits for their unique insurance needs.
Bea attended college in NH before starting her professional career in the banking industry, auditing branches and working in Accounting. After switching career paths to the Insurance industry, Bea worked for Marsh & McLennan and Chubb in IT and National Operations, where she received nationwide recognition for streamlining branch procedures.
In 1992 Bea moved to the Florida Keys, where she experienced hurricane evacuations and saw the damage first-hand. Eventually Bea faced with limited career growth and so she moved back to NJ whereupon she joined RVIS, now Cedar Risk Management.
Bea enjoys Zumba and Zumba Toning, outdoor sports and NYC theatre.
Debbie joined us in 2012, bringing almost 30 years of insurance experience. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and an extensive background in the insurance industry. She specialized in public entities, working closely with town adminstrators handling all aspects of service, support and claims. She also oversaw implementation of new and renewed policies.
Debbie is licensed P&C agent with a strong emphasis on customer service and 'going the extra mile' for our clients. She strives to make sure all questions are answered clearly and that all of our clients understand their coverage(s).
Chris joined our team with nearly 30 years experience in the insurance industry. She has worked for insurance companies, larger brokerages, and specialty programs. Chris' knowledge of coverage, forms, and the industry as a whole, coupled with her high degree of organization and attention to detail, combine to make her a fantastic account manager! She splits her time between our PA and NJ offices. Chris is a South Jersey native, so she's a Phillies/Eagles/Flyers fan. When not at work, she and her husband (of over 20 years!) enjoy going to concerts and traveling. She's a big fan of country music and she's a bit of a parrot head 🙂 Her son Sean attends Rowan University and is also in the National Guard. Her daughter Caitlyn just graduated high school.
I started working in the industry in 1996 in NYC. I enjoyed working in the industry and decided to obtain my brokers license in 2001. I worked with various size accounts from small to large. The majority of the clients were contractors. In 2009 I moved to New Jersey with my family and was able to continue working in the industry. I decided to add the Life & Health license to gain more knowledge in personal lines. I really enjoyed working with many clients. My goal has always been to build long term-client relationships. I am commitment to providing great service and personalized attention.
Anita worked in the IT field for a long time- every job from business development to sales- until taking time off to raise her twin daughters (!!). While a mother's job is never really done, she decided it was time to head back to the workforce and is now enjoying learning all the fun that insurance has to offer! She and her husband love to travel. They previously owned an RV and once took a month long trip around and across and through the continental United States. They are also huge Rutgers football fans and can be seen at most home games, either in the stands or tailgating before the start. She is also a dog mom to two rescue pups, Jeter and Nashville.
Kiana is an amazing assistant to the personal lines team, helping with everything from billing and claims to ID cards and quoting. She has taken the class to obtain her NJ Property and Casualty Insurance License; we can't wait to celebrate her earning this!
I am a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Business Management. I owned and operated a small independent insurance agency before merging with another small agency. I have spent the last 25 years in Commercial Lines embracing the never ending changes! I have lived in Central Jersey my entire life, vacationing on Long Beach Island every summer. I have a passion for cooking healthy foods and enjoy walks with my dog Jude.
Tanya calls herself the Jack of all trades and Master of none in the brewery and insurance industries! Tanya has 20+ years of experience in the insurance industry and is a business partner and general manager of a brewery in PA. Her family consists of her boyfriend, five tiny humans and a pup named Patch. When she gets some down time, she enjoys cooking, sitting poolside and relaxing, motorcycle rides with Mario and checking out new breweries.
