Meet the team of the IIG Group of Companies
Andrew Callihoo
RV Producer
Andrew possesses great sales skills and brings tremendous experience to the IIG sales force. Andy has been with IIG since 2003 and is a licensed P & C agent, devoting most of his time to selling RV insurance, and managing sales in the RV and Mobile Home Divisions. Prior to joining IIG, Andrew spent many years in sales and marketing on a national level. In his free time, Andy enjoys reading and family.
Angelica Ford
Bilingual Account Representative
Angelica is a licensed P&C agent who joined the IIG team in the summer of 2009. Angelica holds a degree in Business Administration in Tourism from the University of Mexico City, Mexico. After graduation she continued her studies in the United states. Angelica brings with her to IIG over 10 years of bilingual sales and customer service excellence. Prior to joining IIG Angelica was a licensed and active Real Estate agent in Southern California for over four years . In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking and spending time with her husband, family and friends.
Rachael Galiano
Account Executive
Rachael is a licensed P & C and L & H agent, and started with the IIG team in 2007. She has earned her CISR designation, and is currently pursuing her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. Rachael is cross-trained and experienced with all of our products, but is currently specializing in U.S. Personal Lines. In her free time, Rachael loves to spend time with her family and animals, read, and of course to jump on the back of the Harley!
Angelica Garcia
Bilingual Account Representative
Angelica is originally from northern California (and various other places). Angelica has been a licensed agent with IIG since 2008. She was a rock-climbing instructor for three years prior to her insurance career. Coming from a family of motorcycle enthusiasts Angelica owns one herself. Her greatest treasures are her three boys and little girl.
George Howington
IT Manager
George created the first interactive, online agency management application for Mexico Insurance all from scratch! He has been with IIG since the beginning in 2000. He is well versed in all types of code, and has an extremely bright computer mind. Besides programming he oversees IIG’s IT Division. Prior to joining IIG, George spent many years working at Northern Arizona University where he also received his MBA. In his free time he enjoys hiking and the outdoors.
Derek “Diego” Kartchner
Chief Revenue Officer
Derek started at IIG as an Intern in 2004. He soon developed into a licensed Agency Producer, and is now the Vice President of Business Development and Chief Revenue Officer. He is proficient in all of our lines of insurance, and possesses great experience in the Manufactured Housing and Cross border Insurance Markets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree From Northern Arizona University in Business, and MBA from Florida State University, and is a Certified Insurance Counselor. Over the years, Derek has traveled extensively to Mexico and Latin America. In his personal time he enjoys spending time with his wife, three boys, and two girls. He also enjoys reading, and running.
Alan Kohl
Management Consultant (Bilingual)
Alan is IIG’s management consultant for several aspects of Cross Border business, including professional motor sports. He has worked and consulted with IIG since 2002. He has worked and lived in Mexico, Chile, and Puerto Rico performing Latin America Regional management responsibilities for AIG and ACE, Ltd. Alan’s core business is commercial cross border insurance. Alan is President of Proyecto Compasión, an IRS 501(c)3 which provides humanitarian assistance in Mexico’s northern state of Sonora Proyecto Compasión.
He and his wife, Esperanza, have close business and personal ties to Latin America. Alan hasn’t missed a Baja 1000 off road race since 1978.
Andrea & Jim Labelle
Co-Founders
Andrea and Jim Labelle founded IIG in 1999. Applying their extensive backgrounds in insurance (underwriting, sales, customer service and marketing), Andrea & Jim revolutionized distribution of Specialty Personal Lines insurance. Together with their coworkers, they have grown IIG to become one of the leading agency/MGA providers of Specialty Personal Lines insurance. In their free time they both love to travel, play golf and hockey, ski, go hiking and spend time with their two sons.
In 2011 Jim founded the Dream Scholarship Fund. In 2011 Andrea left IIG to form Flagstaff Jean Company, but still gives Jim plenty of WONDERFUL advice. =)
Matt Labelle
Master Shredder
Matt is a 12 year old who specializes in shredding important documents which have exceeded their shelf life. While not attending 6th grade classes, Matt works after school and during summer vacation in the “master shredder” role. In his free time, Matt plays Ice Hockey, skis, snowboards, and feeds the dogs. He sometimes cleans his room too.
Jimmy Labelle
Master Scanner
Jimmy is a 14 year old who specializes in Scanning important documents into our systems. Born with the IT gene, Jimmy questions the need for paper in any form, and relishes providing his subordinate with shredding material after having scanned documents. In his free time, while not learning other High School Freshman things he will play on the Varsity Ice Hockey Team, Snowboard, and Golf. He also cleans up after the dogs, but he never cleans his room.
Jack Mangels
Lead Software Engineer
Jack is known by his peers as an IT genius. He has been with IIG since 2003. He is highly versed in many types of code and is very astute in insurance, as well. Prior to joining IIG, Jack spent most of his time programming as a contractor. In his personal time, Jack is a motorcycle enthusiast and also enjoys cycling, but only on a Pugsley.
Roxanna McDade
Web Designer
Roxanna does design for IIG; she specializes in Website design and creation. She has been with IIG since 2007. Prior to joining IIG, Roxanna produced several books, postcards, greeting cards, articles, and photographs. She also has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University. In her spare time Roxanna rock climbs (formerly a professional rock climber), travels, mountain bikes, and spends time with her husband Rich and dogs Champ & Harry.
Michael L. Mercer Jr.
Account Executive (Bilingual)
Michael is a licensed P & C agent who joined the IIG team in the summer of 2009. He brings with him over a decade of bilingual sales and customer service experience. He has previously worked as a Project Manager, Corporate Trainer, Motorcycle, ATV and Watercraft Salesman, and Spanish Linguist. He also lived and worked overseas for two years in Panama. In his free time, Michael enjoys playing disc golf and riding his 99 Valkyrie. Additionally, he plays bass guitar and routinely performs with several different local bands.
Dave Smith CPA
Licensing and Tax Compliance Specialist
Dave is an insurance industry veteran, and has been a CPA since 1978. He has worked as an executive for several of the largest insurance brokerages in the United States. In his free time Dave likes to SCUBA dive, golf, and count beans. He is affectionately known as the Doctor for his ability to surgically repair the staff’s accounting errors.
Alicia “TC” Tessone
Service Manager
Alicia is our service manager, she has been with IIG since 2004. She is highly cross-trained and could work in all of IIG’s business divisions. In her free time Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband Alex and their dogs Mischief, Zoe, and Mcayla. She also enjoys knitting and creating art on her own and with her friends. She is as a very artistic person.
Katie Waller
Accounting Manager
After raising her kids, Katie went back to school to get her degree in Accounting. She has been an accountant for 15 years with backgrounds in manufacturing, retail, non-profit, and service industries. She has been with IIG since 2008. While getting her degree, she also acquired a captain’s license, and with her husband gave boat tours on Bayou Dorcheat in Northern Louisiana. In her free time, Katie enjoys attending painting classes and doing other crafts. Her favorite off times are being with her two grandchildren and other family members.
Nate Watson
Chief Operating Officer
Nate has been with IIG for a number of years – he started as a licensed Agency Producer and has since taken responsibility for the successful operation of the company as COO. He has been with IIG since 2003. Nate has an education in International Business and Spanish as well as an MBA; he also possesses the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. In his free time Nate loves spending time with his four boys and his wife. He also is an avid sport junky.
James Willis
Agency Producer
James is a licensed P & C agent who joined the IIG team in 2012. He is a graduate of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University, and worked for several years as a golf professional in the Hawaiian Islands before going into hospitality and real estate sales. When not at work James enjoys spending time in the outdoors in his native Northern Arizona with his girlfriend, Juliana, and their dog Charlie. He is also an accomplished endurance athlete and has completed more than 20 ultra-marathon distance trail running races.
