Meet the People   Chris Pesce Managing Partner Chris grew up on the south shore of Long Island, NY where he spent his days boating, fishing, clamming, skiing and surfing. While he was in the process of achieving his Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Finance at Saint Joseph's College, he interned for Maritime General Agency, which then resided in Northport, L.I., NY. Chris joined MGA full-time as a Yacht Underwriter in 1995, eventually becoming a Commercial Underwriter and the General Manager when the agency operations were moved to Westbrook, CT. In 2002 he became an owner of the agency and now operates as the Managing Partner for MGA. Chris resides with his wife Susan in the shoreline town of Madison, CT. Bill Worden Western Regional Manager Bill comes to MGA with over 28 years of insurance industry experience, 25 of which involved marine product lines, both recreational and commercial. He has worked in underwriting, marketing, product development and management capacities with frontline marine carriers including Travelers, CIGNA and Zurich. The marine business is deep in Bill's roots. The family tree includes sea captains, marine engineers, ship and boat builders, pleasure craft repairers and harbormasters. Equally comfortable with power or sail, Bill has an extensive hands-on boating background including many years of successful one design and level racing sailing campaigns. In addition, he has been involved with and completed a number of classic runabout restorations. Bill particularly enjoys racing small boats with his daughter and zooming around the California Delta in his classic Chris-Craft runabout. Sylvia Beckerman Halderman Chief Operating Officer Joining MGA in June 2008, Sylvia has over 20 years of insurance industry management experience. Prior to joining MGA, she served as Senior Operations Manager/Vice President for Mercator Risk Services, Ltd., a newly formed national wholesaler customizing, integrating and implementing the business processes and management system. As COO and VP of AWUL, a national MGA, she was primary in implementing the business design, underwriting guidelines and marketing methods of the program. Sylvia was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Virtual Business Model and the Company’s Internet software project. having lived in Israel, California, Denver and Manhattan, Sylvia now resides in Norwalk with her husband and children. Debra Biegaj Underwriter Technician Debra Biegaj was raised in the metropolis of Hartford but would escape to the shoreline of Connecticut, spending her summers racing sailboats. She now spends her spare time, along with her husband of 17 years, raising her daughter and son. Debra has worked in the insurance industry for 30 years. Prior to coming to MGA, she worked for the Hartford Insurance Company in the commercial excess property area. Debra also has her Property and Casualty license. Debra has been with MGA for 5 years bringing her vast knowledge and loving every minute of it. Deborah Cameron Administrative Assistant Joining the MGA crew in May 2005, Deb brings years of administrative experience to her position. Having worked with executives at Perrier and Foxwoods Resort Casino, she is now enjoying learning the marine insurance business. Deb had the unique experience of growing up in Kenora, a small island located in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, which is well known in the sailing and fishing worlds. Never wandering too far from the beach, Deb now spends her time living within walking distance of Long Island Sound in Old Saybrook, CT. When not working, Deb spends much of her time with family and friends and enjoys many hobbies. Kellie Thompson, CIC Commercial Underwriter Kellie Thompson originally began her career in insurance with SAFECO Insurance Companies in 1996 working as a Personal Lines sales representative and then as a Senior Underwriter for home, auto, umbrella, and boat. She made the move to Commercial Insurance when she accepted the position with Maritime General Agency in January 2002. A native of Buffalo, NY, Kellie is a graduate of Niagara County Community College where she earned an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (Kellie worked as a Dental Hygienist before changing careers) and the State University of New York at Buffalo where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication. She is currently licensed in Life, Accident and Health as well as Property and Casualty. Kellie is an avid sailor and currently resides in Rocky Hill, CT.