Biographies
Jim Knepper CLU, ChFC, CIC
President
Jim began his career in insurance in June of 1974 where he started as a personal lines Customer Service Representative. Jim's current responsibilities include overall management of the agency as well as customer sales. Jim is Past President and current Board of Director for the Community Action Program of Somerset County (Tablelands, Inc.); Board Member of Laurel Arts, Inc.; Board of Director of Somerset Trust Company; Past President and member of Somerset Volunteer Fire Department; member of the Somerset Rotary Club; Member of the Somerset Corrections Institution liaison committee; member of the Somerset Planning Commission of Somerset Borough and member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In Jim's spare time, he enjoys Golf, Skiing, and Racquetball. Jim is married to his wife Lorie and they have two children Alexandra and Erin.
Andrea Zachar
Life & Health Department
Andrea joined the Knepper Insurance staff in 2005, working in the Life and Health Department as a Customer Service Representative. In April 2006, she became a Senior Products Specialist dealing with Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, and Long Term Care Insurance. Along with advising clients on their Medicare options, she also continues her duties in Customer Service in the health department and handles Life Insurance products. Andrea is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Somerset, where she volunteers with the Youth Group and other church activities. She is also involved with the Eager Beavers 4-H, and a member of the Somerset Hospital Auxiliary. She and her husband Joe have three children, Joseph, Jessica and Johanna. Her interests include reading, Yoga, spending time with her friends and family, and Penn State football.
Cathy Niemiec
Customer Service Representative
Cathy worked as an Administrative Assistant in another agency for 14 years. She then came to the Knepper Agency as the Bookkeeper/Receptionist. After a year and a half she moved to the health department and obtained her life and health license in September 2002. Since that time she has been helping customers when they have questions about their benefits or problems with claims, prescriptions etc. She also helps to enroll new groups to the agency. Cathy is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where she helps with CCD. In her spare time she enjoys attending her childrens’ sports and activities, reading and watching movies. Cathy is married to Matt and has three children, Trevor, Courtney and Emily.
Shari Peters
Account Manager
Shari Peters is an Account Manager in the Commercial Insurance Department. She is responsible for the customer service of all commercial accounts and assists in the sales and placement of new business. Shari graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with B.S. degree in Business in 1993. She obtained the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1994 and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2002. She has been employed with Knepper Insurance Group since 1998. Shari lives in Somerset with her husband Brett and two children, Haylee and Garrett. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children's sports and extracurricular activities and reading.
Sue Miller
Bookkeeper
Sue Miller has worked as a bookkeeper and in accounting for twenty one years and has worked for The Knepper Agency for the past five years. Sue’s duties include receptionist, bookkeeping and accounting functions for the Agency. In 2006 she received her Property and Casualty license and since then has also assisted with customer service in the personal lines department. She is an associate member of the Red Knights Chapter 28, a member of the Berlin Volunteer Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary and a member of Trinity United Church of Christ. She enjoys reading and attending her son’s sporting events. Sue is married to her husband Bill and they have two sons Brandon and Blake.
Susie Zerfoss
Account Manager
Susie Zerfoss is the Personal Lines Account Manager of the agency. She has been employed with the Knepper Insurance Group since December of 1976. Her responsibilities include customer service along with sales of personal lines accounts. Susie maintains a property and casualty license as well as an accident and health license. She is also a Notary Public in the state of Pennsylvania.
She resides in Somerset with her husband Randy and has two children, Craig and Joshua.
In her spare time, she enjoys testing her luck at the slots in Wheeling.
Laurie Wahl
Account Executive
Laurie has over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been with Knepper Insurance since January of 2000. She is the Account Executive for the Health Department and is licensed in Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities. Laurie is responsible for new sales and the retention of existing customers. In addition to advising clients regarding their employees health insurance benefits, Laurie also handles supplemental benefits for employer groups such as group life, dental, vision and disability. She currently sits on the UPMC Advisory Board of Directors, representing Somerset County, the E-Map (Employer’s Medical Access Partnership) Board of Directors, and is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church working on various committees. In Laurie’s spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading, watching sporting events and the theatre. Laurie is married to Jon and they have two children, Lauren and Landon.
