TEAM

Christine is President/CEO of Empire Insurance Group and has been a licensed agent protecting families in MN since 2006. Empire can assist with insurance needs in WI, IL, IN, AZ, IA, SD, ND, and NV. She specializes in both commercial and personal insurance products. Christine grew up in an insurance family with both parents specializing in insurance products in their business as a young child. Through these years of experience, she has seen the importance and value of insurance and how critical it is to be a consultant for her insureds. Christine has worked with many families and businesses to ensure that their coverage is superior and the pricing is competitive. Her passion is protecting businesses with the ever-changing insurance products and individual corporation’s needs. She enjoys finding a fit that is custom and affordable – from the startup operations to the multi-million dollar entities, she has the knowledge and products to develop a plan and policy that does the job! As the owner of Empire, Christine works hard to add dozens of insurance carrier options to her agency and only contracting with insurance carriers that are reputable, providing her clients with the utmost care in their time of need. Building an empire of carriers and a wonderful hard-working team to assist every Empire client with care and confidence is always priority for Christine.

“When I meet with my clients, I perform an entire insurance review. I want my clients to feel confident and satisfied with the service and pricing they received after purchasing a policy from Empire.”

Christine was named the 2014 Young Agent of the Year by the MN Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association and now in 2017 has been appointed to their Board of Directors as their At-Large Board Member. Christine is a member of the Minnesota Independent Agents & Brokers (MIIAB) and Trusted Choice, Past President of the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce, WABA (Wyoming Area Business Association), Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, North Branch Buy Local Committee and the President & Co-Founder of a local 501c3 Non-profit organization, the North Branch Beautification Association. Christine and her family have been residents of Chisago County for over a decade and are involved in many community events. She enjoys spending time with family & friends, gardening, archery, hunting, fishing, traveling, community service related activities and coaching softball.

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Joe Scaramell is the Agency Manager of the North Branch office and a Senior Client Director who has been licensed since 1989 in Property/Casualty/Life & Health. His vast knowledge of the insurance industry brings a tremendous value to Empire as he protects families and businesses alike. He has been providing his clients with sound advice for their homes, vehicles, farms and businesses in order to maximize protection for their estates and personal assets. He works hard in any claims situation to ensure his clients are being taken care of to obtain the resolution that they deserve. Helping insureds to discover gaps in their planning and/or providing greater protection for their estates is a passion of Joe’s. He is a member of the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce & Minnesota Independent Agents and Brokers (MIIAB.)

Joe grew up in Long Island, New York and owned and operated his insurance business in the “Hamptons” protecting high net worth clients and estates, before moving and continuing his business in Minnesota. He brings strong family values and a history of success and tenacity in which he learned from wrestling on national/international levels.

Joe is also an accomplished professional archer interacting with many farm/ranch owners and outdoors men & women across the country. His other hobbies consist of spending time with his family, RC Car competitive racing, hunting, fishing and hiking.

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Laura has been licensed since 1991 and is the Director of Life Insurance at Empire Insurance. She specializes in Life Insurance, Annuities & Long-Term Care insurance for individuals & businesses. She is able to compare with multiple carriers in order to find the best fit for her client’s needs. She is also licensed to assist with Health/Dental Insurance, Accident or Disability policies. Currently, she is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors & the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce. Laura is also proud to serve as Vice President & Co-Founder of the North Branch Beautification Association, a non-profit organization.

Laura and her husband Joe are residents of North Branch and are involved in many community events. When she is not helping her clients, she is gardening, reading, hiking, canoeing and spending time with her family and two labs Ruby and Riley.

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Amanda is a licensed Account Executive that specializes in billing & client care. She earned her Minnesota Property and Casualty license in 2015 and prides herself on prompt service with any policy change or question you may have. With over fifteen years of customer service experience, Amanda is happy to help ensure your experience with Empire is seamless & efficient.

Amanda and her family are long-time residents of the Chisago County area.

She enjoys disc golfing, fishing and appreciating Mother Nature.

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Nicole is a licensed agent since 2013 and currently manages all operational aspects of the Lindstrom office while also advising clients on their Personal Lines policies. She has an extensive background in customer service in both corporate & private companies. Nicole has been an accomplished leader in prior corporate roles. She realized her passion for insurance and joined the agency to assist in helping families find the right product at a competitive price for their coverage needs. With her extensive customer service background & insurance industry knowledge she is able to seamlessly handle any question you may have on a new or current policy with Empire to make sure your coverage is dependable!

Nicole is a member of the North Branch Beautification Association, a nonprofit of the local community. She is also a member of the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce.

Her hobbies include spending time with her family & friends and her dog Tucker, softball, fishing, jet skiing and traveling when she can.

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Deb is a Commercial Client Executive for Empire Insurance Group and obtained her insurance license in 2003. She has also earned her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) and CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designations. Deb is able to assist commercial clients with ease – whether it is a detailed certificate of insurance request, policy change or claims question, she is happy to assist.

She started in insurance when she applied for a job as a figure clerk in personal lines insurance in 1975. Four years later, she transferred to Commercial Lines, working with rating and coding. Deb was promoted to underwriting and then to an underwriting technical supervisor. Deb moved to the agency side when she and her husband Rich were married and moved to his family farm near Rush City.

Deb has been a Minnesotan most of her life. They have 80 acres where they raise sheep. Deb acts as the family vet. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. In her ‘spare’ time, she spends time with her grandchildren, reads, hikes, rides horseback and gardens.

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Keith is a lifelong resident of Lindstrom and is a Health Insurance Advisor at Empire Insurance – Lindstrom. He now specializes in Health Insurance specific to Medicare needs. He graduated from University of Minnesota in 1971, majoring in Business Administration. Keith worked as business office manager of Hazelden Foundation and then ran the family insurance business from 1972-2017 formally known as the Security-Victor Agency. Keith transitioned the Lindstrom Agency to Empire Insurance Group after the acquisition in 2017 with complete confidence that Empire and the team would be the perfect agency to continue the tradition of serving the local community.

Keith has been married for 41 years to Joan, a teacher in North Branch Public Schools. They have two children: Stewart – a Lutheran Pastor in Silver Bay, MN and Anne – a qualified mental retardation professional and student at William Mitchell College of Law.

Keith is currently serving his 5th term as Mayor of Lindstrom after previously serving five terms as City Council member.

Keith enjoys golf, music and spectator sports – especially the Minnesota Vikings, Gophers and Twins.

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Michele has been with the agency since 2002 and is a licensed Personal Client Executive. She works primarily with personal lines and life insurance and has a passion for protecting clients with proper coverage efficiently. Michele has earned her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) and CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designations.

She grew up in Linwood, MN. After graduating from Forest Lake High School, she joined the US Navy. As an IC2 (second class interior communications electrician), she spent the majority of her four year enlistment on the USS Simon Lake in Holy Loch, Scotland.

Michele is married and has three children and a son-in law. In their spare time, Michele and her husband enjoy gardening and like to go camping with their horses.

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Tammy started her insurance career in 2001 and is a licensed Personal Client Executive. She enjoys the independent side of insurance, which she finds more rewarding and valuable having multiple carrier options for her insured’s ever-changing needs.

She holds her Property/Casualty and Life/Health licenses and obtained her CISR designation in January 2010. While her primary focus is working on personal lines she can also assist you with Life and Annuity coverage needs.

Her hobbies are camping, fishing and playing cards/games with friends and family. She lives in Stacy with her husband Jim and daughters.

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Larry has been licensed in the insurance industry since 1999 and is a Client Advisor. He works primarily with Personal Lines and Life insurance and Annuities. He currently holds a CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation and enjoys helping people with managing their risk. With his years of experience in the industry, higher education and excellent customer service, Larry is a great Agent choice for you.

Larry Tietje grew up in southern Minnesota and attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and The College of St Thomas. He has a BA degree and Masters Degree and has also been a Mathematics teacher at the Forest Lake High School for almost 30 years!

Larry has lived in Forest Lake/Wyoming area for over 30 years. He is married and has four daughters.

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Jerry has been a licensed agent since 1981 and currently assists Empire as a Licensed Insurance Consultant. His long-time knowledge and expertise in the insurance industry regarding Commercial or Personal Lines as well as Life and Annuities is a valuable asset for our clients & team. Jerry grew up in a small town in Upper Michigan (called “Yoopers”). After graduating from college with a degree in Mathematics Education at Northern Michigan University, he taught Junior High in the Forest Lake School system until 1981.

Since entering the insurance industry, Jerry has been affiliated with several local insurance agencies. Jerry owned Security-Victor Insurance Agency in Wyoming, MN from 1997 to 2017. After careful consideration, Jerry & wife Connie sold their business to Empire Insurance Group knowing that Christine and the rest of the existing Security Victor team in combination with Empire’s team would be a tremendous benefit to their clients long-term.

Jerry is active in church and a supporter of other local non-profit organizations. He’s lived in the Forest Lake area for over 45 years. Jerry is married with two children and 4 grandchildren. He is an avid tennis player, golfer and fisherman.

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