BROWNRIDGE INSURANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Commercial Insurance
- Commercial Insurance Representative
Addy started in the insurance industry in 2011 and for her first eight years in the business focused on both Auto and Personal Lines coverage. She then made a transition to commercial insurance. She joined Brownridge in 2021, where she quickly became an integral part of our commercial team and a fast favorite of her new colleagues. Addy enjoys many aspects of her time in insurance over the past decade and loves that being a broker allows her to continually grow her expertise.
Job Titles:
- Auto Insurance Supervisor
Amber has been an insurance professional with Brownridge & Company since 2007, and she obtained her Level 2 Licence in 2014. Amber specializes in Commercial Auto and also acts as our Auto Supervisor. While her expertise is with complex commercial auto , she also really enjoys working with personal clients who have unique vehicle insurance needs, such as antique or collector cars. Amber has developed great relationships with her customers over the years, and continues to learn something new about the industry every day. Well known to our staff and customers for her sense of humour, she can always be counted on to brighten your day (or poke fun at you).
Outside of work Amber likes to get out on the golf course, has a membership to Theatre Northwest with her girlfriends, and loves to go kayaking or camping with her two sons and husband and enjoys the chaos of the extended family get togethers!
Job Titles:
- Personal Insurance Advisor
A former member of our team who returned to Brownridge in 2020 after a few years out of the industry, Amie enjoys providing a friendly and meaningful service experience for her clients, while finding the best options to protect their homes and belongings. Amie has completed her CAIB 1 and 2 courses, and is focused on obtaining her CAIB designation while growing her knowledge and experience in personal insurance.
Outside of the office you can find Amie enjoying the outdoors with her two sons and their dog, and she also has a passion for photography so is often shooting pictures of their adventures.
Our founder, Brian Brownridge, had an extensive background in the Prince George business community and also in municipal politics when he made the move from the lumber industry and property development and decided to start the brokerage. Originally with only three employees, the first decade of operations had a significant focus on commercial insurance, and in commercial auto and mobile road service for auto dealers.
In 2018, we experienced a great deal of loss and an important transition in the evolution of the firm. Upon the passing of Brian Brownridge, and later that year the retirement of his wife Jacy, ownership changed in 2019 to brothers Gord Brownridge (already President since 2016), TR Brownridge (V.P. Operations), and Sean Friend (V.P. Commercial). Most recently, we welcomed Ryley Newman as a partner in 2021, who continues in his role as a Commercial Account Executive.
We are still the same brokerage with many of the same people as in our first three decades, but with the passion and excitement of a startup. Our consistency and familiar faces are combined with a growing number of advisors in our Brownridge "family." We are a driven and focused group who are incredibly excited about what we are building, and how our firm and its people are contributing to our city and region.
Job Titles:
- Personal Insurance Advisor
Crystal joined our brokerage in summer 2015 after moving to Prince George from Terrace. She specializes in residential insurance coverage, animal mortality insurance and collector vehicle coverage. Crystal enjoys getting to know her residential clients and determining the best solutions to protect their homes and belongings. As Team Lead, Crystal handles many of our most complex personal insurance accounts and acts as a mentor and resource to the rest of our Personal Insurance team. We love Crystal's fun loving personality and look forward to each Christmas Gift Exchange to see which holiday inspired outfit she will wear!
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Executive
Emily has been with our brokerage since early 2020. She joined Brownridge following her graduation from the History program at UNBC, and brought several years of insurance industry experience from her role in a student position at another firm. Emily was a student athlete during her time at UNBC, playing five seasons for the Timberwolves Women's Basketball Team, and we know that Emily brings the leadership qualities she learned on the court to her role as an insurance advisor for her clients. Emily holds her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation and having worked in both auto and personal insurance, she now is focused on adding to her commercial insurance knowledge and forging relationships with her business clients.
When away from the office Emily likes to stay active, enjoy time with family and friends, and is also quite an accomplished artist.
Job Titles:
- Auto Insurance Representative
Hallie has been in the insurance industry since May 2023, and joined Brownridge in August 2023 as an Auto Insurance Representative. She is currently a Level 1 Agent striving to complete her Level 2 licence in the coming years. Hallie enjoys gaining new knowledge about auto insurance, and is always up for a new challenge or learning experience. She is also fluent in American Sign Language and loves being able to use this skill wherever she can.
Outside of work you will find Hallie relaxing at home with her fiancé Kinte, cat Mochi, and other exotic pets. She is an avid tropical plant collector and you will often find her in a plant nursery buying more plants, or at home tending to the many plants she already has.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Administration
Heather joined us in 2019 as to handle office administration responsibilities. She brings years of administrative experience in Office Management, Human Resources, and Accounting. She assists in the development and implementation of company policies and procedures; manages and oversees the administration of HR policies, programs and practices within the firm; she maintains accounts payable, receivables and monthly billing. Heather enjoys providing organization and efficiency to her team.
As an active member of the community, she holds a seat on the Board of Directors for Inclusion BC.
In her spare time, Heather can be found at the hockey rink with her two sons and husband, as well as working with her son, Kyle on his fundraising for Autism awareness.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Insurance
- Commercial Insurance Representative
Heidi entered the insurance industry when she joined Brownridge & Company in 2010. A graduate of UNBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she has gained experience in both auto insurance and personal lines, before moving to our commercial department in early 2014. She enjoys the challenge of working with our clients to meet their insurance needs, and loves handling complex insurance concepts for her customers and explaining them in clear language. Heidi obtained her Level 2 insurance licence in 2014 and earned her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation, with Honours, in May 2015.
While not at work, Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband Chris and being a mother to her two children, Benjamin and Abby.
Job Titles:
- Personal Insurance Advisor
Jackie joined our personal insurance team in 2018, and has now completed her CAIB 1 & 2 courses, and is currently working towards obtaining her full CAIB designation. She loves to continually share the knowledge she has gained throughout her career, while providing great service and creating meaningful relationships with her clients.
Outside of the office, Jackie enjoys spending time with her two children and their dog Emma, while enjoying everything Prince George has to offer. You'll often find her out on a lake kayaking, camping, or hiking in the mountains.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Marketing Assistant
Kovid joined Brownridge Insurance right after completing his Bachelor's degree in the summer of 2023. He came to Canada in September 2019 as an international student pursuing his BComm with a double major in Finance and Management Information Systems.
He is brand new to the insurance industry, and has started as the Marketing Assistant with us on our Commercial Lines team handling special event insurance, insurance certificate requests, and underwriting among other things. He is eager to grow his knowledge base, and plans to take on the CAIB exams next.
Job Titles:
- Personal Insurance Advisor
After 26 years working as a Legal Assistant specializing in personal injury claims, Melanie decided it was now or never and took the leap to change careers. She recently completed her CAIB 1, and is looking forward to learning more about the insurance industry.
Outside the office, Melanie enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her yellow lab, Tucker. You can often find her at a lake, in the mountains, or flinging arrows at one of the local 3D archery shoots. She is always up for an adventure and believes the best ones are spur-of-the-moment!
Job Titles:
- Commercial Insurance
- Commercial Insurance Representative
- Member of the Team at Brownridge & Company Insurance
Monica became a member of the team at Brownridge & Company Insurance in early 2013. Prior to joining our brokerage, Monica worked as a claims adjuster for a major Canadian insurance company. She is a graduate of Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, studying Insurance & Risk Management, Human Resources, and Business Management. She obtained her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation in 2004. Originally serving clients in our Auto Department, in 2016 Monica joined our Commercial team, where she works with our underwriters on behalf of our business clients.
When not at work, Monica is actively involved with volunteering and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Executive
- Commercial Insurance Account Executive
Ryan has been with us since spring 2020. He graduated from UNBC in 2022 with a degree in General Business and Marketing. Ryan was on the JDC West business competition team for the 19/20 and 20/21 years, and served as UNBC Co-Captain for the 2021/22 competition. He was also the Social Media Correspondent for UNBC Student Life during his time at UNBC. Ryan has a big interest in the entertainment and gaming industry. He has plans to pursue his CAIB designation.
Brownridge & Company welcomed Ryley in 2013 as a Personal Insurance Representative, while he was still a student at UNBC. In 2016, upon graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in General Business, we were very pleased to have him join our team full-time and continue his career as an insurance professional. In 2017 Ryley made the move to our commercial department as an Account Executive and added his CAIB designation in 2018. He has particular expertise in Hospitality, Construction and Recreation related risks. A member of our leadership team, Ryley became a partner in the firm in 2021.
As an active member in the Prince George community, he currently serves as the Treasurer for Engage Sport North. His prior volunteer experience includes Event Lead for the Prince George Relay For Life and Run Organizer for the Terry Fox Run.
Outside of the office, Ryley can be found experiencing everything Northern BC has to offer with his wife Sydney and two golden retrievers, Fenway and Frankie.
Sean has been with Brownridge & Company since fall of 2009, starting originally as a student in our Personal Insurance Department, before moving to his current role as Commercial Account Manager. Sean attended the University of Northern British Columbia and in 2014 earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Marketing and General Business. Shortly after graduation, he obtained his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation with Honours, and in 2018 he completed his Chartered Insurance Professional designation. Sean knows that each client's insurance needs are different, and takes pride in finding the appropriate coverage that both the risk and client demand.
Aside from work, Sean is very active in the community, volunteering for numerous organizations and at events such as charitable dinners and golf tournaments. He is a sports fanatic who plays hockey, golf, squash and baseball. Lastly, Sean is a huge proponent of UNBC, and is involved with the institution in a number of capacities, including as a coach for JDC West.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Insurance
- Commercial Insurance Representative
Joining Brownridge Insurance in June 2023, Yolanda has worked in the insurance industry since 2001 and has extensive insurance experience in Commercial Lines through a combination of self-study, work experience, schooling, and training. Customer service and care are always her number one priority along with providing the best insurance coverage for clients. Commercial Bonding is one of Yolanda's fortes, as she enjoys the detailed work that utilizes her skills and experience.
In her personal time, Yolanda stays busy with her 5 grandchildren, 3 dogs, her senior care business, and cooking for her family. She also enjoys walking, biking, swimming, and travelling to sunny destinations.