COMMERCIAL LINES

LA CRESCENTA     SAN DIEGO     RANCHO MIRAGE     SIMI VALLEY     NOVATO     FRESNO

LA CRESCENTA
PHONE 818-249-0100     FAX 818-249-1166

Mark Kaufman
markk@monarchexcess.com
Ext 225

 

Nicole Loven
nicolel@monarchexcess.com
Ext 265 
 

Kimber West
kimberw@monarchexcess.com
Ext 222
 

Melba Alcazar
melbaa@monarchexcess.com
Ext 254
 

Randy Scott
randys@monarchexcess.com
Ext 224

            I've worked on the E&S side of the insurance industry for 23 years with the past 13 being at Monarch.  I have a Mathematics degree from CSUN and I currently live in Sherman Oaks with my lovely wife Sharon.  Some of my hobbies include playing golf, watching any kind of sporting event, working out and, of course, the occasional trip to Las Vegas for fun. 

                 
          I have been in the insurance industry since 1992. I started at Monarch in December of 1992 and have been here since. I started as a file clerk and have worked my way up into a commercial underwriter. I am a single mother of a beautiful 3 year old daughter. In my spare time I enjoy watching sports, stalking Brad Pitt and hanging out with my family.

           I have been working in the insurance business over 25 years. I have experience working on the carrier and retailer side of the business must admit I prefer the General Agent side the best. I have taken many insurance courses enough to have obtained an Associated Insurance Services, AIS designation. For enjoyment I love to hike to San Gabriel Hills, yoga is a great get away from any stress during the busy day and playing golf is a challenging sport. I also spend fun times with my family and friends dining, going to the movies or having BBQ parties.

          I graduated college with a degree in Elementary Education and Music Education. I was an elementary school teacher before entering the insurance industry. I began my insurance career in 1969 working for standard companies as an automobile underwriter and commercial property and casualty rater. I switched to Excess & Surplus Lines wholesale industry in 1975, doing commercial property/casualty underwriting. I am married with 3 children. My oldest is currently teaching Music Education in one of the catholic schools here in La Crescenta. My other two kids are in college. In my spare time, I enjoy going to nearby casinos and Waikiki Beach to relax.  

          I joined Monarch as a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter in February, 2007. Prior to joining Monarch, I held a position as a Commerical Lines Manager at another Southern California wholesaler, producing property and casualty business. I began my insurance career in 1997, working for Commerical Union.
          My goal at Monarch is to provide superb customer service and quick quote turnaround. I believe that insurance is all about building and nurturing an excellent rapport with both agents and companies, and I've enjoyed nurturing those relationships. In addition, I love a challenge: to beat our competition!
          On the personal side, I reside in Simi Valley with my wife Digna and our daughter Charly. I like to spend my free time with my family and I enjoy rollerblading, snowboarding and softball. Also, I'm a recreational "hacker"...golf, that is!

SAN DIEGO
PHONE 619-521-2170     FAX 619-521-2180

Marisela Valencia
mariselav@monarchexcess.com
Ext 232
 

Alice Carlisle
alicec@monarchexcess.com
Ext 229
 

Dina Dryden
dinad@monarchexcess.com
Ext 229

            I started by insurance career in 1987, working for a retail agency in Burbank, California. I have been in San Diego for the past 10 years and have enjoyed working with Monarch for the past 16 years.  Since 2002, I have had the pleasure to work mainly as Personal Lines Underwriter, Office Manager and currently building my Property & Casualty Business.

         
           I have 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. All in MGA Excess & Surplus. I have held jobs from receptionist to underwriting and everything in between. I am Texan by birth, raised Midwest Buckeye but Californian at heart.

          I began my insurance career in Personal Lines on the retail side in 1988, switching over to Wholesale E&S in 1995. Eventually I moved to the commercial side of Property & Casualty where I’ve been for the last 10 years.
          I came to Monarch E&S Insurance Services in 2008 as a Senior Commercial Underwriter/Broker for the Property & Casualty Department.  My mission is to provide the highest quality underwriting service possible.  This includes fast turn around time, responsive service and knowledgeable insurance support for my clients. I promise to always pick up the phone and/or call you right back and you will always hear a smile in my voice when you call. 
          On a personal note, I’m a true San Diego native, born and raised. I’m married to a wonderful man, Ken and we have two beautiful children, Ashley & Joshua.  When I’m not at work you can find me riding my quad over desert dunes or jet skiing in the river with my family for fun, relaxing down time.

RANCHO MIRAGE
PHONE 760-779-5555     FAX 760-779-5234

Phil Rathbun
philr@monarchexcess.com
Ext 222

Debbie Messina
debbiem@monarchexcess.com
Ext 227
 

Vicki Johnson
vickij@monarchexcess.com
Ext 230
 

            I grew up and attended school from 1st grade through college in Tucson, Arizona.  After college I moved to Los Angeles and have worked in the Excess & Surplus Lines wholesale industry since 1975.  I've worked at Monarch E & S Insurance Services since 1986.  I have a second home in Palm Springs that makes it very convenient for me to work from our Rancho Mirage office occasionally and I hope to work from there on a more permanent basis in the near future.  In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, going to the movies, trying new restaurants, playing three-card poker and most outdoor activities.

         
          I spent undergraduate schooling at University of Wisconsin, and went on to become a licensed retail insurance broker in Southern California in 1978.  I bring 28 years of combined retail and wholesale insurance experience including the successes of opening 2 wholesale insurance branch offices over the past 10 years. My insurance experience includes attendance at numerous carrier sponsored educational training courses that contribute to my in depth knowledge of the increasingly complex insurance industry.  Prior retail insurance experience includes extensive marketing and an account executive position for a Los Angeles firm over a 10 year span. Currently, I am the branch manager of the Monarch - Rancho Mirage office with a total staff of six employees.  The office has been in operation since late 2003. My staff & I focus on writing small to medium commercial accounts for general liability, property, packages, excess liability, inland marine and some professional liability.

          I attended Riverside Community College and from there moved on to work for a wholesale insurance company at an entry level position. I moved up quickly to an underwriter position and soon moved on to another large wholesaler where I experienced the insurance industry through the soft and hard markets. Now, ten years later, I am a SR. Underwriter here at Monarch E&S where many opportunities prevail in learning more about our industry. Through insurance carrier seminars and conferences I am exposed to the newest programs and feel quite confident in my knowledge of the marketplace and how better to place your business.

SIMI VALLEY
PHONE 805-577-6800     FAX 805-577-1915

Matt Merkle
mattm@monarchexcess.com
Ext 226
 

Sharron Johnson
sharronj@monarchexcess.com
Ext 222
 

Doris Rojas
dorisr@monarchexcess.com
Ext 229

            I joined Monarch as AVP and Branch manager of the Simi Valley office in 2004. Prior to joining Monarch, I was President of another Southern California wholesaler producing Property and Casualty insurance. I began my insurance career in 1988 working in the accounting department for a wholesale general agent. In addition to my management role in Simi Valley, I produce a book a business of Property, Casualty and Professional Liability insurance.
            I reside in Simi Valley with my wife, Chris, and daughter, Amanda. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with the family and getting out on the golf course.

           I am a native Southern Californian, beginning my insurance career in 1985 with a large retail agency.  I quickly moved over to the wholesale side, where I still enjoy the challenge of underwriting a wide range of risks.  When not working hard on your business, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors in the Thousand Oaks area.  

NOVATO
PHONE 415-883-1411     FAX 415-883-1752

Lisa Martone
lisam@monarchexcess.com
Ext 101
 

Briana Griffin
brianag@monarchexcess.com
Ext 103
 

            I was born in Visalia, CA and lived in the Central Valley until moving to the Bay Area in 1992.  I started my insurance career in Visalia for an independent agent in 1988.  I continued working as a retail agent until 1997 and then started my underwriting career in the wholesale business. I became as a Senior Underwriter for an excess & surplus lines business in Petaluma.  In 2000 I became Underwriting Manger for a different excess & surplus Lines business in Novato for 4 years.  I began my career with Monarch E&S Insurance Services opening a new Northern California Branch Office as Senior Underwriter in October 2005.  I love working as a commercial underwriter in the wholesale industry.

          I am a native San Franciscan and am lucky to have been able to live my entire life in Northern California. I embarked on my insurance career on the retail side 21 years ago. I worked primarily with personal lines accounts and eventually incorporated commercial risks to the mix…to add a little spice to my life! Three years ago, I made the leap from retail insurance to wholesale insurance, and now am a commercial underwriter. I enjoy working with people. Everyday brings a new challenge…and I’m always up for a new adventure!

 FRESNO
PHONE 559-226-0222    FAX 559-221-5345

          I have been in the Commercial Lines Insurance for 20+ years employed by one General Agency/ S.P.S.P., Inc.coming on board with Monarch E & S Insurance Services  March 17, 2008.

 
Dona Shurtz
donas@monarchexcess.com
Ext 227