Bios & Associations
Partners
Martin E. Bramhall, PWCA - President
Denise Kozel, CPCU, PWCA - Vice President
John P. Boykin, CIC, PWCA - Vice President
Senior Insurance Advisors
Arthur R. Werner, CIC, CFP ®, PWCA
Tom Hernan, LUTCF
Insurance Advisors
Steve Lewis, CLCS, PWCA
Kory Hitchens, PWCA
Commercial Lines Account Managers
Tracy Reed, CISR, PWCAM
Faith Dillard, CISR, PWCAM
Lexie Sewald, CISR, CLCS, PWCAM
Jessica Nunley
Commercial Lines Quality Control Specialist
Phyllis D. Foster, CIC, CRM, CISR, PWCAM
In House Claims Specialist
Laura Hitchens, PWCA
Personal Lines Account Managers
Patty Kalmbacher, CISR
Diane Krzyzanowski, CPIA
Personal Lines Quality Control Specialist
Vicki Clark, CISR
Executive Assistant
Mary Ellen Harkins
Administrative Assistant
Kristin Romero
Partners
Martin E. Bramhall, PWCA - President
Marty is the President and CEO of Bramhall + Hitchen Insurance. He attended Goldey-Beacom college and in 1984, joined Bramhall + Hitchen as an advisor. In 2003, he purchased the agency from his father. He currently oversees all aspects of the Agency as well as maintains Carrier Relationships and acts as Sales Manager.
He has served on several Agency Councils, including Main Street America, Selective, Ohio Casualty and Harford Mutual. He also served as a Board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Delaware from 2003-2007. In his spare time, Marty enjoys golfing, fishing and traveling.
Phone: 302-995-2248
Email: marty@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Denise Kozel, CPCU, PWCA - Vice President
Denise Kozel began her career in the insurance industry in 1987. Over the past 24 years, she has held positions on both the Agency and Company side. She joined Bramhall + Hitchen as a principal in 2003. She is currently the Vice President and is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the Agency.
She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Towson University in Towson, Maryland in 1987. She went on to receive the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Designation in 2002. In 2010, she completed the Professional Workers Compensation Advisor Certification. She enjoys playing golf and spending time with her family. She resides in Forest Hill, Maryland with her husband and two teenage children.
Phone: 302-995-2249
Email: denisek@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
John P. Boykin, CIC, PWCA - Vice President
John is Vice President and a Senior Advisor at Bramhall + Hitchen. He joined the agency in 2006 and became an agency owner in 2010. His primary focuses are Construction, Real Estate, Large Retail & Wholesale Operations and Manufacturing. He earned the distinguished Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2008 and also holds his Certified WorkComp and Professional WorkComp Advisor designations.
A life long Delaware resident, John enjoys playing golf and football, boxing and working out in his spare time. He is a member of ABC Delaware’s Legislative Committee and the Public Affairs Committee for the Delaware Association of Independent Agents & Brokers. He is also an active member with the Delaware Contractors Association, the Delaware Restaurant Association, the Home Builders Association of Delaware, the Institute of WorkComp Professionals, the WorkComp Advisory Group and the Commercial-Industrial Realty Council. He is also on the planning committee for the Delaware Mud Run, Delaware’s largest 5K which raises money for the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware.
Phone: 302-356-2705
Email: jboykin@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Senior Insurance Advisors
Arthur R. Werner, CIC, CFP ®, PWCA
Art is an insurance advisor at Bramhall + Hitchen, Inc. He joined Bramhall + Hitchen in 2006 after selling his agency, Werner Insurance. Art's primary focuses are attorneys, Professional Liability, Restaurants, Schools and personal lines coverage for high net worth individuals.
Art earned his Certified Insurance Counselor Designation in 1983. He is a Certified Financial Planner®, a Certified Workers Compensation Advisor and a Professional Workers Compensation Advisor.
Art is a native Wllmingtonian and a graduate of Boston University's College of Business Administration. He has been a member of the Brandywine-Naamans Rotary Club for 18 years where he is responsible for raising funds for the Rotary International Foundation. He has also served on the finance committee of Hanover Presbyterian Church for over 15 years.
Phone: 302-656-9057
Email: awerner@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Tom Hernan, LUTCF
Tom Hernan began his career in the insurance industry in 2005, where he has focused his efforts as a personal lines sales agent. He has earned numerous awards in his career, most notably being recognized in Delaware Today as a 5-Star Auto and Homeowners professional.
Tom is a graduate of Kent State University in Northeast Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Advertising. Tom went on to graduate from The American College's LUTCF designation program to work alongside individuals and families with their life insurance and estate planning needs.
Before college, Tom served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was promoted through the ranks and traveled the world. His last assignment was at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, where he met his wife. They have two wonderful children, and a loving cocker spaniel named Sophie.
Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, music and watching football.
Phone: 302-356-2700
Email: tom@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Advisors
Steve Lewis, CLCS, PWCA
Steve joined Bramhall + Hitchen in April of 2009. He has since earned the distinguished PWCA and CLCS designations. He is also currently working towards obtaining his CIC designation. His insurance focus includes working with Non-Profit Organizations, Main St. Retail Establishments such as Restaurants, and Contractors.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from The University of Delaware and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from The University of Phoenix. He is involved in the Delaware Restaurant Association as well as the Delaware Association of Non-Profit Agencies. He is an ambassador for The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved with and sits on the board of the Brandywine Hundred Rotary club. His interests include running, reading, and volunteering.
Phone: 302-356-2720
Email: slewis@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Kory Hitchens, PWCA
Kory is an Insurance Advisor at Bramhall + Hitchen. He joined the agency in January of 2009 as an intern. He became a licensed agent in June of 2009. Kory's primary focuses are in Construction, Commercial Agriculture, & Manufacturing. Kory has earned the Professional WorkComp Advisor Designation and has begun working towards the Certified Insurance Counselor Designation.
Kory grew up in Landenberg Pennsylvania. Prior to his employment at Bramhall + Hitchen, Kory played football for George Mason University, graduating in May of 2009. Kory enjoys wakeboarding, motocross, and playing golf in his spare time. Kory is an active member in both the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce & the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the West Grove – Avondale Rotary Club in Pennsylvania and serves on the planning committee for the Robin Rocks the House fund raising event which raises money for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware.
Phone: 302-356-2710
Email: khitchens@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Commercial Lines Account Managers
Tracy Reed, CISR, PWCAM
Tracy began her career in the insurance industry in 1987. Over the past 24 years she has held a position on the Agency side in the Commercial Lines Department. She joined Bramhall + Hitchen as an Account Manager in 2006. She is currently an Account Manager responsible for servicing and maintaining relationships with customers. She earned her Associates of Science Degree in Executive Secretarial at Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware in 1986. She went on to receive the Certified Insurance Service Representative Designation in 2000. In 2009 she also completed the Certified WorkComp Specialist Certification. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She resides in Bear, Delaware with her husband and two children.
Phone: 302-995-2029
Email: treed@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Faith Dillard, CISR, PWCAM
Faith has worked on both the company and agency side of the insurance industry since 1969. She joined Bramhall + Hitchen in 2007 as a Commercial Account Manager. She obtained her Certified Insurance Service Representative designation in 1990 and her Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist certification in 2010. She is currently working on her Certified Insurance Counselor designation. She is active with iMlearning, Inc. a nonprofit group devoted to mentoring middle and high school girls. She resides in the New Castle, DE area with her husband.
Phone: 302-995-2335
Email: fdillard@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Lexie Sewald, CISR, CLCS, PWCAM
Lexie Sewald joined B+H in 2006 as the receptionist. She moved to a personal lines customer service rep position and is now a commercial lines account manager. She has obtained her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. Lexie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and playing volleyball. Outside of working at B+H, Lexie coaches volleyball for Cecil College and Cecil Volleyball Club.
Phone: 302-356-2711
Email: lbyers@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Jessica Nunley, CISR, CLCS, PWCAM
Jessica is a Commercial Lines Account Manager at Bramhall + Hitchen with fifteen years experience in the personal and commercial insurance field. A member of the B+H team since June of 2011, she is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance. In her spare time Jess enjoys reading, watching sports, and spending time with her family.
Phone: 302-656-8350
Email: jnunley@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Commercial Lines Quality Control Specialist
Phyllis Foster, CIC, CRM, CISR, PWCAM
Phyllis Foster has 30 years experience in the Insurance Industry. Phyllis joined Bramhall + Hitchen in 1997 as an account manager and now acts as the agency’s Quality Control Manager. She has earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative Designation in 1990, Certified Insurance Counselor Designation in 2006, Certified Risk Manager Designation in 2009 and Certified Workers Compensation Specialist Designation in 2010. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Phone: 302-356-2708
Email: phyllis@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
In House Claims Specialist
Laura Hitchens, PWCA
Laura joined the agency in 2005 in the Accounting Department after having spent 17 years in banking. She holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration from Widener University. Laura took over our in house claims department in 2008 and has since become a Professional WorkComp Advisor. She now handles all of our claims management as well as our workers compensation program.
Phone: 302-356-2707
Email: laura@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Personal Lines Account Managers
Patty Kalmbacher, CISR
Patty is a Personal Lines Account Manager and holds her CISR designation. She has been working in the insurance industry for over 18 years and joined B+H in 2004. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and Bunco.
Phone: 302-995-0940
Email: pattyk@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Diane Krzyzanowski, CPIA
Diane is a Personal Lines Account Manager at Bramhall + Hitchen with ten years experience in the personal insurance field. A member of the B+H team since April of 2010, she is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance, and obtained her CPIA designation about 4 years ago. In her spare time Diane enjoys reading, indoor gardening, photography, and spending time with her family.
Phone: 302-356-2701
Email: dkrzyzanowski@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Personal Lines Quality Control Specialist
Vicki Clark, CISR
Vicki is a Personal Lines Account Manager and Quality Control Technician. She has been in the insurance industry for 20 years, starting with First State Insurance Agency which was acquired by B+H Insurance. She currently holds an ACSR designation and recently earned her CISR designation. Her interests include reading and traveling.
Phone: 302-995-2310
Email: vickic@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Executive Assistant
Mary Ellen Hawkins
Mary Ellen joined B&H in May of 2011 as Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President. She is a 1988 graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Horticulture. She went on to use these skills at prestigious places like Winterthur Museum and Gardens and Walt Disney World. Upon returning from Florida, she chose to move it indoors and took up many different career choices such as retail sales, bank teller, accounts payable clerk, receptionist and various levels of Administrative Assistant. She loves traveling, gardening (naturally) and spending time with family and friends at her beach house.
Phone: 302-356-2703
Email: mharkins@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
Administrative Assistant
Kristin Romero
Kristin is a 2005 graduate of the University of Delaware’s Elementary Education Program. So naturally, she has begun a career in insurance. She joined Bramhall + Hitchen, Inc. in July of 2009 as the company’s administrative assistant. She is currently studying property/casualty insurance to further her career at Bramhall + Hitchen, Inc. Kristin is active in musical theatre in the Delaware/Pennsylvania area and also enjoys photography and writing. One day she hopes to publish her book.
Phone: 302-995-2247
Email: kromero@bh-insurance.com
Return to top
