Our team of Marine Underwriters has over 120 years combined experience and is dedicated exclusively to marketing and underwriting Marine Insurance. Our years of experience enable us to know the markets and more quickly respond to your needs. We care about helping you find the broadest coverage at the most competitive price. Equally important is the service you receive after the sale. Charter Lakes' customer service representatives have the experience and knowledge to assure you will receive fast, professional and courteous attention. We have dedicated marine claims specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you through the claims process should you have an unfortunate incident.
Let us show you why Charter Lakes is the best solution for all your Marine Insurance needs.
Mark Van Epps
President Michigan Office 616-975-3518
Mark grew up and currently resides in the boating community of West Michigan. He spent many summers working at local marinas and mating for the family’s charter fishing business on Lake Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University and is married with two daughters. His interests include fishing, boating, home brewing, camping and spending time with family and friends. Mark has worked for Charter Lakes Marine Insurance more than 15 years.
David Graham
Director of Marketing and Sales Michigan Office 616-975-0657
David joined Charter Lakes in 2018. Prior to joining Charter Lakes, Dave worked on the carrier side and brings more than 25 years of Sales, Sales Training and Sales Leadership. Long time boat lover, growing up he spent many summers fishing and waterskiing. When not working Dave enjoys spending time with his boys, hanging out on his boat in the Summer and bowhunting Whitetails in the Fall.
April Cook-Balech
Account Executive Maryland Office 410-827-7750
April grew up in the Annapolis-Kent Island area. She acquired much of her marine knowledge and love for boating at the US Naval Academy, where she performed as the lead female vocalist for their Midshipmens Band. She is married with 3 children and enjoys boating, training parrots, traveling and spending time with her family. Utilizing her extensive marine insurance background, April opened the first satellite office for Charter Lakes in Chester Maryland in 1997.
Evan Sideris
Program Underwriter Michigan Office 800-879-2248
Evan is a native of the NH coast and lifelong boater. Evan has many years of insurance as well as maritime experience as a program underwriter for Marine MGA, Inc. (now One80 Intermediaries) as well as Liberty Mutual Insurance and senior underwriter for CHUBB. Evan is also an accredited professional in the field of marine surveying. Off hours, he remains an avid waterman who enjoys: sailing, surfing and sea kayaking.
Vanessa Sawyer
Director of Operations Michigan Office 616-975-3510
A graduate of Michigan State University, Vanessa began working for Charter Lakes in 2008. During her time at Charter Lakes, she has held multiple positions including: CSR, CSR Team Lead, CSR Manager, and is now Director of Operations. Vanessa’s family owns a home on Gun Lake in SW Michigan where she spent her childhood boating, swimming, and enjoying the water. In her free time, she continues to enjoy spending time at the lake watching her niece and nephews enjoy the water like she did at their age. She is an avid dog lover who has owned two Great Danes, Kona and Tiki.
Rob Willis
Account Executive Michigan Office 616-222-1790
Married with two children and raised in Western Michigan, Rob and his family are avid weekend boaters. Remote control airplanes, camping and hunting are just a few of his other special interests. Originally trained in the culinary arts and employed as an Executive Chef at a private club for 10 years, he enjoys and understands the importance of personalized customer service.
Rob joined Charter Lakes in 2005 and quickly settled in as a producer, bringing his vast customer service experience to the team.
Kelly Dykstra
Customer Service Manager Michigan Office 616-975-3511
Walter Felver
Account Executive Michigan Office 616-222-5454
Born and Raised in West Michigan, Walt is an avid golfer, whitetail hunter, and bass fisher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University where he studied Business Finance in the Eli Broad College of Business. Walt began his career with Gallagher Charter Lakes as an intern in 2018 and has continued to grow his career over the last several years to a Producer/Underwriter on the marine team.
Chad Branch
Account Executive Florida Office 888-418-8301
Chad is a Florida native growing up fishing the banks of the St Johns River as well as the nearshore and offshore waters of NE Florida. He has also spent thousands of hours fishing all over the SE United States while fishing tournaments on the Southern Kingfish Association Pro Tour, many Blue Marlin Tournaments in the Bahamas and Bass Tournaments with his Father. He is married with one daughter who are also both avid fisherwomen and outdoors persons. They are all avid hunters, fisherman and divers who enjoy traveling the world on their next adventure. Chad started his carrier with Charter Lakes in 2003 out of the Jacksonville, FL office.
Justin Driver
Account Executive Michigan Office 616-975-0674
Justin was born and raised on the coastline of Lake Michigan. His love for the water led him to the marine industry, and then eventually brought him to Florida for several years where he worked and lived on motor yachts—moving them to different ports, as well as managing the vessels year-round. During this time, he developed a valuable and diverse background in mechanics and maintenance. Fresh waters called Justin back to Michigan where he established himself in operations for one of the largest marinas in the state. Justin joined Gallagher Charter Lakes in 2023 where he assists clients both on their recreational and/or commercial insurance needs. In his personal life, he and his wife spend their time chasing their young son around and enjoying all that West Michigan has to offer.
Brice Fuselier
Account Executive Texas Office 281-452-7800
Brice was born on the Texas Gulf Coast. He has grown up fishing the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding waters. He has had a great passion for boating since buying his first boat at age 12. Today, Brice enjoys taking his wife and kids offshore fishing and scuba diving on their 38 Fountain center console. Brice has been in the insurance business for 20 years and became part of the Charter Lakes “family” in 2009. He is an avid participant in many of the fishing and boating events on the Gulf Coast. He is also a proud sponsor of many of the coastal tournaments in Texas.
Judi Budke
Account Executive Florida Office 800-456-8936
Originally from Ely, Minnesota, Judi moved to Orange Park, Florida in 1986 to enjoy the warm weather. She graduated with an Associates Degree from Vermilion Community College in Ely, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Judi began her insurance career with Admiralty Insurance Inc in 1990 as the receptionist/bookkeeper and eventually obtained her agents license. Judi stayed on as a producer when Charles Lakes Marine Insurance purchased Admiralty in 2002.
Judi has 3 children and 2 grandchildren and enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Ryan Johnson
Account Executive North Carolina Office 910-256-4148
Ryan grew up in Ocean City, NJ where he was introduced to boating on a 21’ Chris Craft, owned by his Godparents. Ryan worked as a mate and then a captain on large corporately owned sport fishing vessels, and had the privilege of navigating these multi-million dollar vessels up and down the Atlantic Coast, as well as into the Bahamas, chasing the white and blue marlin bite. Ryan started in the marine insurance business in 2000, and has a vast knowledge of product coverages and vessel manufactures. Ryan and his family moved to Wilmington, NC in 2005, and Ryan joined Charter Lakes as the Branch Manager and Account Executive in the Wilmington, NC office of Gallagher Charter Lakes in 2012. He, and his account manager, Rochelle, continue to focus on providing the boating community with the best insurance solutions in the market place. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys the beach and fishing with his wife and two children.
Brittany Leopold
Inside Account Executive Michigan Office 616-975-0665
Brittany was born and raised in West Michigan. She cherishes spending time with family and friends. Brittany joined Charters Lakes in 2012 where she has worked on the Customer Service team, until 2023. Brittany was promoted to Account Executive, responsible for recreational use boats.
Eric Evans
Senior Customer Service Leader Michigan Office 616-975-0661
Eric is our Program Account Manager and Senior Customer Service Leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business Management from Northwood University in Midland, MI, where he also had the opportunity to run on the men’s track & field team. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Kristen. He enjoys playing with his two children, playing golf with friends and family, tinkering in the garage on his vehicles, and playing guitar for fun and in his church praise band. Eric joined Charter Lakes in 2016.
Account Executive Michigan Office 616-975-3509
Kristy grew up in Central Michigan where she spent over 10 years in the Insurance Industry. Her love of lakes and the Ocean led her to a career in the boating insurance market. During her off hours she loves spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter and her 2 dogs. Providing customer service that exceeds your expectations and coverage for your love of boating is her goal.
