Our Insurance Agency Care Team

Creating Relationships That Go Far Beyond the Policy” is our office tag line which is clearly evidenced with so many long term clients – 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years! Why?  It is the caring and competency of our entire staff – helping to choose the appropriate coverage and insurance carrier, responding to questions promptly and, most important, assisting the client when a claim occurs.

I began my insurance career after graduating as an insurance major at CCNY, Baruch School of Business.  While I had “book experience”, I realized that I needed practical experience and became an insurance adjuster, handling property and yacht claims.  This experience has been most helpful in assisting our clients our clients when a major claim occurs. 

Our office (I credit the wonderful associates whom I work with) has exemplary relationships with our insurance carriers and underwriters.  This enables us to provide the exceptional service to each client that they deserve.

During my long career as an insurance broker, I have served on insurance companies advisory panels (oftentimes serving as chairperson), have received the Fred E Hamilton Award for service to the insurance industry and community and served as president of the Life Underwriters Association of Westchester.

Locally, I have been involved in many community activities  - serving as a Cub Scout leader, President of the Westchester Jewish Center, chairperson of the UJA/Federation local chapter, president of the River Oaks Homeowner’s Association and cruise chair of the Stamford Yacht Club.

I enjoy sailing and skiing, spending time with my wife, Laurel, our four children and six grandchildren.

What truly distinguishes our office is our staff!  They work as a team and are so dedicated and competent.

Karen began her career at A.J. Benet Inc in 2007. She is a licensed agent for property and casualty insurance, group health and life insurance. Her focus is sales and advertising. From 2008-2012 she served on the board of directors for the Independent Insurance Agents of Westchester County.

Karen graduated from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) in 2001 with a BA in child psychology.  She called Breckenridge, CO home for six years before making her way back East to join her father and the team at AJ Benet.

Outside of the office, Karen is an avid skier, sailor and runner. She’s participated in numerous races including the 2009 Hartford Marathon and 2011 NYC Marathon. She is also a certified ski instructor and a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.  She lives in Stamford, CT with her husband Matt and daughter Reese.

Paul has been a licensed insurance agent since 2017 and joined the A.J. Benet team in 2018 as a personal insurance account and claims representative. In 2007 Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase majoring in Communications.

Paul has years of experience in customer service including 5 years as a customer consultant for FedEx.

Outside of work he enjoys boating, playing softball, travel and attending sporting events.

Donnie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1994. In his spare time, Donnie enjoys mountain biking, hiking, & skiing. He has had over 22 years experience in customer service and is a licensed insurance broker. Donnie joined the staff of A. J. Benet, Inc. in 1999. His specialty is claims and personal insurance. Donnie’s service goals are to have your claim expedited and to make sure that your claim experience is the best it can be.

Jeff grew up in the insurance business, as his father, Kenneth, spent his career as an agent for the Equitable Life Insurance Company. When Jeff began looking for a career after graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, his father suggested the property and casualty insurance business and introduced him to Alan Benet. Since 1990, Alan and Jeff have been working together supported by the hardworking, talented, and caring staff at A.J. Benet.

Jeff is proud to have helped over 1,000 individuals, families, and businesses purchase insurance plans that provide high levels of protection, while implementing strategies to keep premiums as low as possible. He focuses on helping clients make smart decisions with their personal property and casualty insurance (well-planned homeowners, automobile, and umbrella liability insurance is a much overlooked area of most people’s financial plans). He also guides clients with their business insurance, group health insurance, and life insurance.

Outside of work, his passions are church, cycling, fishing, skiing, hiking and reading about American history. Jeff is blessed to have a beautiful, loving, supportive wife, Nancy, and two sons, Ryan and Bradley. They live in Yorktown Heights, NY.

Carolyn joined A.J. Benet in April 2007 in an administrative position. In May 2011, she transitioned to Account Representative and has continued to grow and focus on education, efficiency and quality service.

Prior to A.J. Benet, Carolyn was a sales administrator for Fuji Photo Film for over 10 years.

Carolyn lives in New Rochelle, NY with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach.

Deborah joined A.J. Benet in 2010. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After graduating she worked in the banking industry for ten years and was an Operations Officer when she left to raise her family. During that time she worked part time in office administration and volunteered for various committees.

At A. J. Benet, Deborah’s responsibilities include general office administration and processing and policy changes. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening and traveling.

Margie joined the staff at A.J. Benet Inc. in 2004 as a commercial lines account executive.  She works  directly with clients and company underwriters in handling all aspects of an account. She has 30 years of experience as a commercial lines underwriter, in addition to 14 years experience as a personal lines underwriter. She continuously attends industry-wide seminars to stay on top of the changing markets. She looks forward to assisting her clients with all of their commercial insurance needs, and at the same time provide them with excellent service they deserve.

Margie lives in Mamaroneck, NY with her husband, where they raised their two children.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, design projects and maintaining an athletic lifestyle.

Dan has been a licensed insurance broker since 1988. He is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Business Administration and received his formal insurance training through The Aetna Prime Program. He joined A.J. Benet in 1991 and over the course of his career has served on numerous company advisory panels and boards. Dan specializes in developing and servicing property and casualty insurance programs for the affluent client.

In his spare time Dan enjoys attending his sons sporting events and hiking.  Dan is also an avid sports fan of the Yankees, Giants, and Notre Dame.

Bailey graduated from the University of Rhode Island with her Public Relations Degree in 2017. She joined A.J Benet in 2022.

In her short time at AJ Benet Bailey has already become extremely knowledgeable and has proven to be a tremendous asset to our office. She is currently taking insurance classes to further her education and ultimately become a licensed agent.