Our Team

Executive Team

Jay Byrnes
President

Jay represents the third generation of Byrnes involved in the operation of the Byrnes Agency. A graduate of Putnam High School. He received his degree in History from Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio and has attained his CIC designation.
Jay is a past President of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, a past President of the Independent Agents of CT and past President for the Nexsure Users Group. He has also been privileged to serve on many carrier agent councils. He has been a member of the Putnam Rotary Club for over 30 years being named as a Paul Harris Fellow along the way.
Jay served as the State National Director for the Big I and formerly chaired The Agents Council for Technology (ACT). Jay resides in Northeastern CT with his wife and has three adult children.

Alexis Margerelli-Hussey
General Manager

Alexis started her insurance career with the Byrnes Agency in April 1990. She maintains her Property & Casualty, Life & Health licenses and holds the CIC designation. Alexis lives in Lebanon with her family.

Archie Drobiak
Client Relations

Archie has been with the Byrnes Agency since 1989, having started out as a Personal Lines and Commercial Lines Producer, and then moved into management when the agency opened up its Norwich Office. Prior to working with the Byrnes Agency, Archie was in management with a local banking institution after graduating from Eastern Connecticut State University. Archie is very involved with a multitude of community boards and leagues, having served on the Griswold Board of Finance, the Griswold Planning & Zoning Committee, the Griswold Youth Basketball Board, Griswold Schools Athletic Booster Club, and is a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus. Archie has actively coached youth and high school sports for many years, including basketball, baseball, and softball. Archie is also very active as a musician & vocalist, playing with popular local bands throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. Archie, his wife Robin, and their daughter Kirsten reside in Griswold.

Commercial Lines Team

Erica Williams
Commercial Lines Manager

Erica has been a dedicated member of the Byrnes Agency team since 2004. As Commercial Lines Manager she oversees the production and level of service for the department that handles our customers with business insurance needs. She has strong experience in marketing and advertising for the agency as well. Erica is licensed in Property and Casualty and Life and Heath; and currently maintains her CISR + CIC designation.She is a member of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Erica resides in Waterford with her family.

Jeff Rizer
Commercial Lines Producer

Jeff joined the Byrnes Agency in 1997 and has extensive experience and knowledge working with small to midsized businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. With many quality companies and product offerings, Jeff has been able to build solid relationships with many businesses and individuals, working directly with them to develop insurance plans that are affordable, and provide coverage specific to their needs. Jeff earned the coveted Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2004. He is involved with numerous charitable organizations including the Board of Directors for Northeast Opportunities for Wellness and the Quinebaug Valley Arc. Jeff also enjoys competing in local triathlons and coaching youth sports for his young children.

Gregory Kosma
Commercial Lines Producer

Greg joined the Byrnes Agency in the fall of 2015. He brings an entrepreneurial skill set from having owned several food service establishments in New London county as well as customer service expertise honed during his 20+year career at Foxwoods and MGM. As a small business owner, Greg understands and appreciates the need for customized attention to businesses of all sizes. Greg is a Griswold resident having attended Griswold High School and Three Rivers Community College. He enjoys spending time with his two daughters and his wife Melissa. In his free time, Greg enjoys golf.

Amy Lotti
Commercial Lines Agent

Amy joined the Commercial Lines Team in 2019 and obtained her Property & Casualty License with the agency. She brings with her a strong background in Marketing, Public Relations, and Customer Service. Amy received her Associates Degree in Science from Quinsigamond College. She practiced as a Dental Hygienist in Massachusetts and Colorado for almost 20 years before changing her career to Marketing and Public Relations for Crabtree & Evelyn. She is excited to become part of the Byrnes Family and looks forward to working with Local businesses in Northeast Ct. She resides in Pomfret with her husband Eric, step-son Cooper and rescue pets Roxy, Curlin, Lily and Ace.

Sheri King
Senior Commercial Lines Agent

Sheri joined the Commercial lines team in 1997, and is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health. She currently holds the prestigious CIC designation. Her focus is marketing and servicing new business and renewal accounts for both the Norwich and Dayville offices. She enjoys football, movies and reading. Sheri also enjoys traveling to Florida, where she spent 2/12 years, to visit family, friends and Mickey Mouse.

Michelle Jordan
Commercial Lines Agent

Michelle joined the Byrnes Agency in September 2020 bringing both company and insurance agency experience. She currently maintains her Property & Casualty license and has plans to obtain her Life & Health, along with CISR + CIC designations. Michelle loves to travel & resides in Burrillville, RI with her family.

Rachel Farnham
Commercial Lines Agent

Rachel brings over 20 years of Customer Service experience to the Byrnes Agency.  Her Priority is to ensure that every client she speaks with has a pleasant experience. She will continue her education to pressure her goals within the company.  When Rachel isn’t working you can find her enjoying the outdoors.  She loves to be surrounded by her family and friends.

Taylor Driggers
Commercial Lines Agent

As a graduate of The Norwich Free Academy, I went on to run track for UMass Boston and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. I worked as an administrative assistant for Brigham and Women’s hospital before transitioning into the corporate real estate world. I now live in Jewett City with my daughter and my fiancé. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and hanging out with my family and friends.

Personal Lines Team

Amy Diggett
Personal Lines Team Leader

Amy started working with the Byrnes Agency in 2000. Since joining our team, she has attained several insurance designations: the Associate in Personal Insurance (API) and the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI). Amy was named the 2014 PIA National Customer Service Representative (CSR) of the Year. Prior to relocating her family to Connecticut, she worked in New Hampshire for another prominent agency and had originally started her insurance career many years ago with a well-established insurance carrier. She has a strong background in personal lines insurance and is always eager to help a potential new client obtain an insurance quote or answer a current customer’s question with assurance.

Donna Coderre
Personal Lines Agent

Donna joined Byrnes Agency in July 1998 and currently maintains her Property, Casualty and Life license. Many of you may remember Donna from her career in the banking industry for 20 years prior to her employment at Byrnes. Donna is a member of the Personal Lines Servicing team and takes pride in providing excellent customer service to her clients. In her downtime, Donna likes reading, crossword puzzles, traveling, assisting her brother in teaching country line dancing, and is an avid kayaking enthusiast. She resides in Putnam with her 2 cats, Louis & Zoey.

Jessica Lanphear
Personal Lines Agent

Jessica joined the Byrnes Agency Personal Lines team in 2021. She previously worked in the Plainfield Educational System and has a very strong customer service background. Jessica obtained her Property & Casual license and plans to become licensed to sell Life & Health insurance. She will also continue her studies to receive her CISR + CIC designations. She looks forward to making new relationships and providing insurance needs to her clients. Jessica loves traveling and spending time with her husband, 3 girls, and 2 dogs.

Allison Inthaluexay
Personal Lines Agent

Allison joined the Byrnes Agency team in June of 2019. She has previously worked as an Administrative Assistant for an international sales team, focusing on export documents and generating sales reports.She has recently obtained her Property & Casualty license. She also plans to obtain other licenses and designations within the industry. Allison enjoys riding her pit bike, snowboarding, and road trips. She resides in Killingly with her beau, Zack, and their 5 dogs.

Courtney Ryan
Personal Lines Agent

Courtney joined the Byrnes Agency team in September 2013.  She maintains her Property & Casualty and Life & Health Licenses.  She has also attained her CISR and CIC designation and is currently in the Leadership class offered by the Norwich Chamber of Commerce.  Courtney has a strong background in customer service.  She strives everyday to help her customer the best she can with all of their insurance needs.  In her downtime Courtney loves camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Muriel Pepper
Personal Lines Agent

Meet Muriel Pepper. Pepper is new to the Byrnes Agency and has 18 years of Personal Lines Insurance Knowledge. Pepper is an avid sports fan, concert goer, loves to travel, and spend time with her husband, 3 children, and their dog Pork Chop.

Robin Piolunek
Personal Lines Agent

Robin joined the Byrnes Agency Team in June of 2021. She holds her Life Producers license and recently obtained her Property and Casualty license. She came to us with over 14 years’ experience in program management in a local bank’s Life and Annuity insurance program as well as over 20 years as a Retail Banking Assistant. Robin is excited to help meet customers’ insurance needs. She plans to obtain her CISR and CIC designation in the future. Robin is an avid reader, enjoys camping, crafting and travel and spending time with her family. She is a lifelong resident in Plainfield.

Sage Ritchotte
Personal Lines Agent

Sage joined the Byrnes Agency Personal Lines Team in 2022. She entered the insurance field by getting her Life Insurance License independently after working for the Towns of Lisbon and Norwich as a School Bus driver. Sage obtained her Property and Casualty license under the wing of our very own agent Amy Diggett, and she brings with her a strong background in customer service and a desire to serve her community. She has lived in many different states in our great country and brings with her the experience and culture from the places she has traveled to. Sage will continue her studies to receive her CISR and CIC designations. She looks forward to growing relationships with her clients, built on trust and friendship. Sage enjoys cooking for her husband and two sons, swimming at the beach, and reading a good fantasy series.

Kaitlin Dutremble
Personal Lines Agent

Kaitlin has recently joined the Byrnes team. You may know her from her previous career in banking at one of our local institutions. She is a life long local and graduated from Killingly High School. After joining the agency, she completed the coursework and obtained her Property and Casualty Producers License. She plans on continuing her education in insurance and obtaining more licenses. When not at work, Kaitlin enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and cooking up tasty dishes in the kitchen. She is an avid animal lover and has a golden retriever and two cats. She is also a passionate New England Patriots fan.

Brynne Thibodeau
Personal Lines Agent

Brynne joined the Byrnes Agency team in September of 2023. She maintains her Property & Casualty license, as well as her CISR designation. She also plans on obtaining her Life & Heath license as well as her CIC designation. In her spare time, Brynne enjoys spending time with her family. She currently resides in Plainfield, CT with her husband and daughter.

Debra Combies
Personal Lines Agent

Debra joined the Byrnes Agency Commercial Lines team in September of 2020. She is pursuing her Property and Casualty License with an eye towards earning other designations as well. She has an extensive background in customer service and brings with her a passion for excellence and hard work. She looks forward to building strong relationships with her customers. Debra resides in Plainfield with her family and rescue dog, Blanca. Working on her home and being outdoors are her favorite off time activities.

Accounting Team

Nouky Saksith-Daigneault
Accounting

Nouky joined the Byrnes Agency in 2007. She received her bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University. She maintains her Property & Casualty license and a CISR designation. In her free time, Nouky enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and menagerie of dogs.

Jamie Soroka
Accounting and Social Media

Jamie started off her journey with us as a receptionist in February of 2005. Shortly after, she received her property and casualty license and was promoted to our personal lines department where she enjoyed working with clients for several years as a customer service agent. In 2014, she transferred over to a position that opened up in our accounting department and has been working behind the scenes ever since. She most recently completed her education at QVCC and was awarded her Associates in Business Accounting in May of 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and family. She loves to travel and collect house plants. She’s also become quite the avid amateur wine and pottery maker. Jamie resides in her hometown of Putnam with her husband, Tom, and their little pack of adorable pups.

Customer Service Team

Darlene Selig
Customer Service

Darlene joined the Byrnes Team in March of 2019, bringing with her many years of customer service experience. She is looking forward to advancing her insurance education and anticipates starting classes soon. Darlene currently lives in Danielson. She loves the ocean, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Amanda Bartlett
Customer Service

Amanda was welcomed back to the Byrnes Agency in November of 2018. Enjoying her role at the front desk for many years, Amanda was happy to return to The Byrnes Agency to continue greeting customers who visit the office and offering superior customer service to all who call. Receiving her BA in English and Art History from Providence College, Amanda is a proud Friar and enjoys volunteering with her husband, Steve at their church in Johnston, RI. Amanda, her husband Steve and her step-daughter, Maya live right around the corner in Dayville with their dog Kimbo and cat Goshen.

Diane Moran
Customer Service

Diane joined the Byrnes Agency in 2003 as a receptionist anchoring our front desk with her warm welcome and eagerness to assist customers. Diane is now working in our personal lines department as a customer service representative.

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Rely on Byrnes for your personal and business insurance needs.

We’ve been in the insurance business for a long time. Let our staff show you what responsive service and real value are all about. Contact us today! We’re looking forward to it.