j3insurance.com

MEET THE DULUTH TEAM

Theresa Caine, CISR - Senior Personal Lines Account Manager

Theresa is a Senior Personal Lines Account Manager who works with educating clients on their insurance needs and how to meet those needs. She knows that insurance can be confusing and enjoys explaining insurance to make it understandable. Theresa holds a BA in Secondary English Education from UMD and has worked in the insurance industry since 1997.

She obtained her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Rep) certificate in 2012. Theresa enjoys spending time with friends an family. She and her husband Jeremy) along with their two daughters are avid fans of Disney and enjoy visiting Disney World every chance they get.

Sarah Erickson - Controller

Sarah has been with J3 Insurance since 2007 and is one of the newest owners of J3 Insurance. She enjoys working with J3’s staff to consistently provide the best service to our clients. She believes that insurance isn’t always about price but rather what is the best coverage for each client’s unique needs.

Sarah is licensed in Property & Casualty Insurance and also holds a BFA degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, fishing from her kayak, all things fiber arts as well as training her dogs in obedience, rally, agility, and nose work. She also volunteers as a trainer at a local dog training club and volunteers with her certified therapy dog at local hospitals, colleges, and other facilities.

Kay Shipka - Senior Personal Lines Account Manager

Key is a Senior Personal Lines Producer Licensed in MN and WI with 20+ years of Insurance experience.
Kay’s main goal is to try and simplify the insurance process so customers can understand what they are buying, and why they need it. She previously owned her own Insurance Agency in Duluth for 12 years, and then lived in South Florida for 2 years working as an Insurance Account Representative. After moving back home to be closer to her family, she happily joined our team in 2016.

Outside of work, Kay, and her Husband, Chuck, like to ATV, take trips, cook, and hang out with friends, and family. They also enjoy sharing their spare time with their Rat Terrier named Jack.

Christina Schleicher - Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager

Christina is a Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager, licensed in Property & Casualty. Christina strives to ensure all of her clients are fully protected. She specializes in finding creative solutions for “out of the ordinary” situations. Christina grew up in the Twin Cities with a background in social work, contributing to her caring and understanding when the unexpected happens. Outside of J3, Christina spends time with her family and 3 Australian Shepherds hitting the outdoors. Christina, her family, and their dogs have been mile by mile conquering the entire Superior Hiking Trail.

Jason McCaffrey - President
Principal/Agent

His goal is to make business and personal insurance understandable, allowing clients to make wise risk transfer decisions when it comes to home, auto, business, life & health insurance. Jason started his insurance sales career 20 years ago at a large independent agency in Madison, WI. Jason currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland & Foundation. He is a past President of the Madison East Rotary Club.

Jason is a proud husband (Dr. Diane) and father (Jack Peter & Alli Hazel) who enjoys spending time with his family & friends at various sports events as well as hanging at the cabin (summer) or somewhere warm (winter.) In his spare time, he enjoys building his real estate portfolio and living life in the communities he serves.

Jeff McCaffrey, CPCU-Vice President
Principal/Agent

Jeff started his career in 1992 as an underwriter in Personal lines Insurance for a regional carrier in Wisconsin.   After a year, he joined a larger carrier in Minnesota as a Commercial Lines Underwriter.   In 1998 he was promoted to Marketing Rep for the Twin Ports & Northern Minnesota.    In 2004 Jeff left the “company side” of the business for the “agency side” by joining a local Independent Agency.    Later that year, he founded Twin Ports Insurance and in 2018 the agency re-branded into J3 Insurance.   Jeff enjoys helping clients solve problems loves everything about insurance.   Jeff has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stout where he majored in Applied Math and Actuarial Science. He obtained his CPCU designation in August of 2000.

Jeff enjoys sports — especially watching his nieces and nephews games. He also enjoys spending time with friends and family. He believes this year is the Vikings year.

Sylvia Messer, CISR - Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager

Sylvia received her license in 2018 when she joined the J3 team. She assists Commercial clients with their insurance needs. She prides herself in making sure coverages are accurate and clients needs are met.

When not helping out clients, Sylvia enjoys spending time and getting outdoors with her family.

Sylvia obtained her Certified Insurance Service Representative certification in 2024

Steve Mason -Agency Manager

Steve is currently our Agency Manager for all 3 of our locations. Steve comes to J3 with over 16 years of experience in Insurance. He enjoys helping his clients truly understand the coverage their policy provides, which enables him to assist clients in protecting their assets in the most financially responsible way.

When not servicing customers he enjoys traveling, playing video games, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Megan Ramsdell - Personal Line Account Manager

Megan joined the J3 team in 2020 and obtained her Property and Casualty licensing in 2021. She has 3  years of experience in the industry and strives to make sure cutomers needs are met. Megan understands the importance and enjoys making sure you are adaquatley covered for all of lifes curveballs.  

When she is not in the office, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and exploring all the twin ports has to offer.

Megan looks forward to assisting clients.

Hunter Bergerson - Producer/Licensed Agent

Hunter grew up in Duluth playing hockey and going to school at Duluth East. After high school, he played a year of Junior hockey in Minot, ND before attending The College of St. Scholastica, where he played hockey and double majored in Finance and Management. He is married to his longtime partner, Kali, who is also from Duluth. Hunter stays involved in the community coaching hockey in Hermantown and being an active in the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce programs. Professionally Hunter is very passionate about helping people and building strong relationships with his clients.

Carley Byrnes - Personal Lines Representative
Life & Health Service Representative

Carley comes to J3 after a successful, 6 year career in the healthcare industry. Originally from SW Minnesota, Carley has called the Twin Ports her home since 2014. Recently married to her husband Jarret, Carley resides in Superior, WI with their two furry companions, Riley and Sadie. With a passion for helping people, Carley looks forward to building a fulfilling career in the insurance industry as an independent agent.

Carley enjoys playing sand volleyball with her close friend group and spoiling her nieces and nephew. She also loves watching and going to hockey games.

Erin Thompson - Personal Lines Service Representative

Erin has recently joined J3.  She currently has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Erin brings a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of client needs. She recently obtained her Property and Casualty license and is eager to assist our clients in finding the best insurance solutions.

Erin is a proud native of Superior, WI, where she lives with her boyfriend, Jared, and their five-year-old Goldendoodle, Ole. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her enjoying a round of golf, playing softball, diving into a good book, or spending time at her family cabin. Erin also loves spontaneous adventures with her sisters and friends.

Keaton Bergerson - Personal Lines Service Representative

Keaton joined the J3 team in September of 2024. He currently has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from NDSU. He recently obtained his Property and Casualty license and is excited to assist clients with their insurance needs.

Keaton is a Duluth native having graduated from Duluth East. When not at work he enjoys being with his friends, playing a round of golf, visiting the local breweries, exploring the hiking trails around Duluth and being up at the family cabin.

MEET THE CLOQUET TEAM

Dana Dandrea - Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager, CISR

Dana obtained her State of MN Property, Casualty, Health, and Life License in the Spring of 2007.  She has recently completed her Certified Insurance Service Representative Designation.

Dana understands that each business has unique insurance needs and she works with clients to find the best coverage with the most affordable rate. Dana was born and raised in the Northland and is an avid Vikings and Wild fan. Her favorite pastime is spending time with friends and family on the lake and her greatest joy is being a grandma to her two beautiful granddaughters. 

Amy Laveau - Executive Administrator Assistant/Licensed Agent

She likes to greet insured with a smile, answer phone calls with a pleasant voice, handle client billing questions and payments as well as various agency tasks as they arise. She believes in providing superior customer service, getting to know insurance on a personal level to create lifelong relationships.

Amy obtained her Property and Casualty license in the spring of 2016. Amy is the Secretary at the Carlton County Riders ATV Club. Amy’s passions include being part of her girl’s horse events, gardening, cooking and having fun with family and friends.

Michelle Youngberg - Senior Personal Lines Account Manager

Michelle works with clients and underwriters to offer the best coverages at the most competitive prices. She obtained her State of MN Property and Casualty License in 1997 and her MN Life Producer License in 2011. Michelle enjoys spending time with her two children and being outdoors snowmobiling, fishing, and playing in the garden.

Matt Ostby - Producer/
Licensed Agent

Matt works with clients to help reduce their premiums, maximize coverage, and sustain life long relationships. Matt believes that working collaboratively with each person to develop the insurance portfolio that best fits their needs is essential. Matt’s positive energy and welcoming personality create a dynamic insurance experience for all those he serves. Matt is certified/licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, Accident and Health. When not working for J3 Insurance, Matt enjoys spending time with his family especially his daughters Harper and Cora. Matt is a sports enthusiast and an avid golfer (although you wouldn’t know it by witnessing his swing).

Karly Rasmussen - Personal Lines Account Manager/Commercial Lines Service Representative

Karly is a Personal Lines Account Manager who believes in hard work to maintain competitive insurance rates that can and should be customized to fit your specific needs. No one can surely predict the future, but Karly is here to help you protect it! Prior to joining J3 Insurance she has 8 years of extensive customer service relations. She earned her State of MN Property and Casualty license in the spring of 2019.

For fun, she loves trying new things, spending time at the sand volleyball courts, and of course with her animals, friends, and family.

Nikki Skramstad - Personal Lines Account Manager

Nikki graduated from UW- Superior with a Bachelors Degree in Communications Management. She brings many years of customer service experience to J3.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband Mark and their 3 daughters; Emma, Maci, & Chloe. When she isn’t watching her daughters play hockey or soccer, she enjoys traveling to Florida, spending time on their boat, shopping and hanging out with family and friends.

Joe Beaupre, CIC -
Vice President of Sales
Principal/Agent

Joe is a Principal of J3 insurance, which specializes in providing Insurance Programs to fit the specific needs of an Individual and/or their Businesses. Joe started his insurance sales career with a well known direct writer in 1989 and has been in the insurance sales industry ever since. Joe feels that “each individual/business has specific needs to their situation, so therefore a ‘boilerplate’ insurance policy purchased somewhere else, without digging into your specific situation, may not cover all of your assets”. Joe has served as an officer and is involved in many community organizations over the years. Joe is currently involved with both the Cloquet and Carlton Chamber’ of Commerce. Joe is President of the Prairie Lake Association and serves on the Big Sandy Lake Watershed Associaton. Joe has coached youth sports for many years and is involved in many community volunteer projects and events. Joe is very proud of the 14 years he spent as an officer on the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital Foundation board. Besides being involved in the daily activities of J3 Insurance, he likes to spend time outdoors either on the water or in the woods. Joe and his wife Jill were married in 1988 and have 3 adult daughters.

MEET THE BRAINERD LAKES TEAM

Gene Hagen

Gene started his insurance career in 1977 with Worth Mutual Insurance Association and the Glenn O. Tenold Insurance Agency. In 2012 he sold his interest in the agency and moved full time to the Brainerd Lakes area. Gene started his “new” insurance career in Northern Minnesota with J3 in March of 2013. His professional goal is to provide the best insurance product to the client with knowledge and experience. Gene is a member of the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce and Brainerd Rotary. He also serves on the Road and Water Committee in the City of Lake Shore and also Planning and Zoning Board. Gene has been married for 40 years and has 2 married children and 3, soon to be 4, Grandchildren.
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