Miles Tharp: Allstate Insurance

Bios

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  Kate Sanchez

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Kate Sanchez, a key member of our team for 10 years, brings her passion for interacting with new people to our agency every day. As a specialist in writing policies for new customers, Kate's approach is personal and thorough, seeing that each customer benefits from qualifying discounts. Her goal is always to make insurance both accessible and advantageous for everyone she works with. Outside of work, Kate is dedicated to her two daughters, aged 10 and 8, balancing her professional commitments with the joys and challenges of motherhood. Her motivation for a career in insurance is rooted in her desire to help people save money, making a tangible difference in their lives. The special bond within our team, akin to a big family, is something Kate values highly. She believes that this close-knit atmosphere not only makes the workplace enjoyable but also enhances the way the team collaborates to serve customers effectively. Kate's personal mantra, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” reflects her resilient spirit and commitment to continuous growth, both professionally and personally. Her decade-long tenure at our agency is not just a testament to her loyalty and knowledge but also to her integral role in shaping the friendly and efficient service we are known for.

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  Lexie Mauritz

  Senior Sales Agent

  Lexie Mauritz, an integral part of our insurance team, is driven by the uplifting and supportive culture within our agency. She values the seamless teamwork that allows us to provide top-notch service to customers, believing that this positive work environment is key to both professional success and personal satisfaction. When working with new customers, Lexie’s priority is to ensure they feel comfortable and well-supported. She achieves this by engaging in detailed conversations to help tailor insurance coverage to each household’s unique needs, always aiming to improve their insurance situation. Lexie specializes in guiding new customers through the quoting process, working closely with lenders, and informing people about insurance. Her experience makes her a valuable resource for customers navigating their insurance options. Outside of Allstate, Lexie has a diverse array of hobbies. She enjoys connecting with nature, losing herself in fiction novels, expressing herself through art, and surrounding herself with animals. Her passion for insurance was sparked by word-of-mouth, leading her to obtain her Property and Casualty license. The work-life balance this career offers has been a significant benefit for her. The diversity and continuous growth of our team are aspects Lexie takes pride in. She appreciates how our agency embraces change and development, creating a dynamic and enjoyable work environment even when dealing with serious insurance matters. Lexie's personal mantra, "Treat yourself with the same love and respect as you would your best friend," reflects her belief in self-care and respect. This philosophy extends to her love of fitness and video games, striking a balance between physical activity and immersive digital experiences. Additionally, her dream of owning an animal rescue someday showcases her compassionate and caring nature.

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  Tammy Rose

  Customer Support Agent

  Tammy Rose brings over 30 years of invaluable experience to our team. Her journey in the insurance industry began with a serendipitous encounter in 1990, where her computer skills opened the door to a fulfilling career. Tammy's consistent approach to customer service, treating every customer with the same dedication and care regardless of how long they have been with the agency, has made her a cornerstone of the customer support team. Tammy's enthusiasm for her role stems from her genuine desire to help people. Whether it's a new customer or someone she's known for two decades, her commitment to providing top-notch service remains unwavering. This dedication is reflected in the team’s versatility, a quality Tammy values greatly. Outside of work, Tammy is a sports enthusiast, engaging in various athletic activities that reflect her dynamic and energetic personality. Her approach to life is refreshingly straightforward, which is also evident in her unique habit of enjoying solitude while driving, preferring the quiet to the radio. Tammy’s actions speak volumes about her work ethic and approach to life. Her deep understanding of customer needs and her ability to address them effectively have made her an integral part of our agency, contributing significantly to our team's overall success and customer satisfaction.

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  Julie Janusz

  Customer Support Agent

  Julie is a cornerstone of our agency's support team, bringing nearly two decades of dedication and knowledge to her role. Her passion for helping people shines through in her day-to-day interactions with customers, where she focuses on building comfortable and relatable connections. Specializing in customer support, Julie has honed her skills to become an indispensable part of our agency, seeing that customers receive the responsive and helpful assistance they need. Outside the office, Julie is a culinary enthusiast who enjoys experimenting with new recipes. Her love for gardening, decorating, and quality family time reflects her nurturing and creative spirit. Julie's journey in the insurance industry began right after high school, starting with a large medical insurance company. This early exposure sparked a career-long commitment to the field, transitioning over time to different facets of insurance with a continuous focus on support and customer service. What makes our team stand out, in Julie's view, is our collective work ethic and seamless collaboration. She values the harmonious working environment and the shared commitment to excellence that defines our agency. Julie's personal mantra, "Early to bed, early to rise," embodies her disciplined and proactive approach to both her professional and personal life. This principle has guided her through years of service, seeing she always brings her best self to the team and the customers she supports. A fun and inspiring fact about Julie is her background as a competitive swimmer. Growing up on the local swim team and excelling to the point of traveling for AAU meets with her coach showcases her determination and talent, traits that she has seamlessly transitioned into her professional life.

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  Tiffany Villalon

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Tiffany Villalon thrives on the diversity of her daily interactions, appreciating the opportunity to work with people from many walks of life. Her approach to new customers is centered around understanding their unique situations with a consistently positive attitude, aiming to demystify insurance and aim to help provide the coverage that best suits their needs. While Tiffany does not specialize in a specific area of insurance, her broad knowledge and willingness to learn allow her to adeptly handle a variety of customer needs. Beyond the office, Tiffany is passionate about her hobby farm, where raising animals offers her a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature. Motivated by the desire to help others understand insurance better, Tiffany finds fulfillment in making insurance accessible and comprehensible. She values the unique composition of our team, highlighting the advantage of working remotely to bring together diverse perspectives from across the United States. Tiffany's personal mantra, "Just keep swimming," serves as a reminder to persevere through challenges with resilience and optimism. A fun fact about Tiffany is her and her two children's involvement in taekwondo, a family activity that strengthens their ties and promotes discipline and physical fitness.

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  Brian Williams

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Brian is passionate about helping people protect what matters most. He takes time to understand each individual’s goals and provides guidance with transparency and clarity. His focus includes auto, home, and life insurance. Off the clock, Brian enjoys golfing, hunting, cooking, hiking, and volunteering. His interest in insurance started after witnessing how impactful good coverage can be during a family emergency. He values working with a team that’s purpose-driven and supportive. His guiding principle: “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.” Fun fact: he got a photo with the Stanley Cup on his wedding day.

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  Cera Petrinovic

  General Manager

  Cera brings energy and humor to the office—and a passion for teaching. She enjoys mentoring new team members and connecting with people in ways that go beyond policy details. Her approach to working with others is rooted in genuine conversation and curiosity. Cera wears many hats in the agency, jumping in wherever she’s needed and keeping things running smoothly. Outside of work, she enjoys games and adventures with her kids, crocheting, and picking up new skills. She got into insurance while helping a family friend’s agency during a tough time—and ended up loving the work. Her motto: “Look back only to see how far you’ve come and to remind yourself how far you can still go.” Fun fact: she can make a clover with her tongue and was named after a dinosaur.

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  Jake Frankford

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Jake is all about cutting through confusion with a little clarity—and a lot of humor. If you didn’t laugh or learn something during your conversation with him, he didn’t do his job. Jake is proud to be the team’s “personality hire,” and he brings a fresh energy to everything he does. Outside of insurance, he’s into tabletop RPGs, horror novels, and combat sports. He started in insurance to help people feel more confident in the steps they’re taking for their families. His motto? “Life’s swinging hard, but I’m swinging harder.” Fun fact: his metal band organized charity concerts that raised over $10,000 for Make-A-Wish—enough to buy a pontoon boat for one very lucky kid.

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  MT Dodson

  Licensed Sales Agent

  MT enjoys helping people make sense of insurance, especially when it feels overwhelming. With a patient, step-by-step approach, he helps people understand their coverage options so they can make informed choices. MT focuses on home, auto, and condo insurance. Outside of work, he’s a Lions fan, enjoys DIY projects, and is known for his impressive Halloween props. His interest in insurance began with his own confusion about policies—which inspired him to learn more and help others do the same. MT appreciates being part of a tight-knit team and lives by the motto: “Life’s a garden, dig it.”

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  Ashley Miller

  Licensed Service Agent

  Ashley thrives on being part of a supportive, energetic team and finds joy in helping people understand their policies. She takes a connection-first approach and specializes in Personal Injury Protection, as well as playing a key role on the Support team. Ashley brings a unique blend of medical background and creative hobbies—from wildlife rescue and photography to crafting and gardening. She believes that helping people through insurance is just another form of care. Her favorite mantras are: “Let it go” and “You can only control your reaction, not the situation.” A lifelong learner, Ashley loves picking up new skills and projects.

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  Jeff Kent

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Jeff finds satisfaction in helping people review their coverage and enjoys hearing stories from across Michigan and Ohio. He specializes in property and casualty insurance and takes pride in clear, down-to-earth conversations. After years in physically demanding jobs, Jeff was ready for a new challenge—insurance gave him that opportunity. When he’s not working, you’ll find him fishing, golfing, or enjoying the outdoors. He brings a light-hearted energy to the team, and his favorite motto is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Fun fact: he once fished in the world’s largest ice fishing contest—with over 10,000 people on the ice at the same time.

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  Lori Yantz

  Licensed Sales Agent

  Lori thrives in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of insurance. She enjoys the challenge of helping people explore their coverage options and making sense of policy details. Her focus is on welcoming new customers and guiding them through the quoting process. Outside of the office, she’s a big fan of road trips and live music—especially rock and pop. Lori was drawn to insurance because it’s a field where hard work directly pays off. She loves working with a team that’s supportive and fun. Her favorite quote: “Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair—you can spend all day doing it and not get anywhere.” Fun fact: she won a dance contest at 13.