About RidgeBrook Insurance Group
Our Agents
Tom Little
tlittle@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3108An agent since 1989, Tom graduated from Towson University in 1983. After working in a family business for several years, Tom began his insurance career in 1989 as an agent and then as the owner of a local agency for a major multi-line insurance corporation. In 1989, Tom joined an independent insurance agency as an independent contractor/producer, where he worked until joining RidgeBrook Insurance Group. Tom specializes in personal and business insurance.
Steve Morgan
smorgan@ridgebrookins.comDirect Line: (443) 595-3131An agent since 1990, Steve graduated from Towson University in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration and has worked in various accounting positions as a CPA until he began his insurance career in 1990. Steve owned and operated a local insurance agency for a major multi-line insurance corporation until joining RidgeBrook Insurance Group. Steve's extensive insurance experience, combined with his skills as a business manager, makes him a highly successful independent agent.
Emme Szot
eszot@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3116An agent since 1986, Emme graduated from Towson University in 1982 with a BA in Business and Accounting. She worked in accounting and auditing for four years. Emme began her insurance career in 1986 as an agent and then as the owner of a local insurance agency for a major multi-line insurance corporation, with full managerial responsibilities. In 1999, Emme joined an independent insurance agency as an independent contractor/producer, where she worked until joining RidgeBrook Insurance Group. Emme specializes in personal and business insurance.
Peter Walten
pwalten@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3107An agent since 1980, Peter graduated from Towson University in 1980 with a BS degree in Sports Management. Since 1981, Peter has worked as an independent contractor/producer with two multi-line property and casualty insurance agencies before joining RidgeBrook Insurance Group. Peter specializes in personal and commercial automobile, property, liability, life, health, and related insurances.
Diane Peters
dpeters@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3110Diane has been with RidgeBrook Insurance Group since May 2013 as an independent contractor/producer specializing in personal insurance (auto, home, etc.). Prior to RidgeBrook Insurance Group, she worked at two independent insurance agencies as support staff and has held a P&C license since 1998.
She graduated from Parkville High School and was an executive assistant to a corporate secretary at a large insurance brokerage firm before she was a stay-at-home mother to her wonderful daughters. She is married to a federal law enforcement officer of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. She enjoys time with her family and friends. Diane is thorough and detail-oriented in designing customized coverage for her clients' insurance policies and enjoys working with the amazing people at RidgeBrook Insurance Group.
She graduated from Parkville High School and was an executive assistant to a corporate secretary at a large insurance brokerage firm before she was a stay-at-home mother to her wonderful daughters. She is married to a federal law enforcement officer of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. She enjoys time with her family and friends. Diane is thorough and detail-oriented in designing customized coverage for her clients' insurance policies and enjoys working with the amazing people at RidgeBrook Insurance Group.
Dawn Auffarth
dauffarth@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3122Raised in Baltimore, Dawn graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory in Towson in 1990. She received her BA in Politics from Wake Forest University, with a minor in Spanish. In 1994, she entered the political world and worked for the late Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley, then later the late Carolyn T. Burridge, a lobbyist in Annapolis. She left politics thereafter and took a sales position with Diamond Triumph Auto Glass, where she oversaw multi-state expansion in sales and marketing.
She received her Master's in International Management from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, in 1998 and was recruited by Ford Motor Company, where she spent the next five years working in sales and marketing for the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC districts. In 2005, Dawn launched Auffarth & Associates LLC, a nationwide agency, and later in 2011, Maria's Tag & Title in Fells Point. She has her LUTCF, is halfway through her CPCU, and is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
She received her Master's in International Management from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, in 1998 and was recruited by Ford Motor Company, where she spent the next five years working in sales and marketing for the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC districts. In 2005, Dawn launched Auffarth & Associates LLC, a nationwide agency, and later in 2011, Maria's Tag & Title in Fells Point. She has her LUTCF, is halfway through her CPCU, and is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
James Schmelzer
jims@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3101Jim started in the insurance business in August of 1990 as a sales producer for Allstate. He then became the agency manager, running two different locations, before becoming a part-owner of the agency. In June 2007, Jim opened up All Maryland Insurance LLC, an independent insurance agency in the Timonium/Lutherville area.
In an effort to offer his clients more options with more insurance carriers, Jim moved his business to RidgeBrook Insurance Group in January 2012, where he continues to serve his clients with the coverage they need at a cost they deserve. When not working, Jim likes to spend time with his wife and two kids, taking in baseball games and watching the children play football and golf for their school.
When asked what he likes about RidgeBrook Insurance Group, Jim says, "It's a nice family-style business where agents and staff care about their clients and the products they can offer them." Being an independent insurance agent representing many large insurance carriers allows him to meet the insurance needs of all of his clients.
In an effort to offer his clients more options with more insurance carriers, Jim moved his business to RidgeBrook Insurance Group in January 2012, where he continues to serve his clients with the coverage they need at a cost they deserve. When not working, Jim likes to spend time with his wife and two kids, taking in baseball games and watching the children play football and golf for their school.
When asked what he likes about RidgeBrook Insurance Group, Jim says, "It's a nice family-style business where agents and staff care about their clients and the products they can offer them." Being an independent insurance agent representing many large insurance carriers allows him to meet the insurance needs of all of his clients.
Our Staff
Kristie Atkins
Personal Insurance Customer Service Representativekatkins@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3103
Cindy Griffin
Personal Insurance Customer Service Representativecgriffin@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3128
Breanna Fontz
Personal Insurance Customer Service Representativebfontz@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3102
Lisa Lane
Commercial Insurance Customer Service Representativellane@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3130
Alison Oswald
Commercial Insurance Customer Service Representativeaoswald@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3132
Nancy Walten
Commercial Insurance Customer Service Representativenwalten@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3106
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Dave Birnie
Personal Insurance Customer Service Representativedbirnie@ridgebrookins.com Direct Line: (443) 595-3115