COFFEE & CONTRACTS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Personal Lines Account Manager
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Manager
Christa was born and raised in San Gabriel, California and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Television, Film and Media Studies at Cal State LA. She joined the insurance industry in 2012 and obtained her CISR designation in 2014. Christa is experienced in many areas of insurance, and especially enjoys working with nonprofit organizations.
Christa enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, especially camping and hiking. Christa and her family recently welcomed a new four-legged family member, their puppy Mika!
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- CEO of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc
- Management
- Practice Leader
- Practice Leader / Seattle
Dana Coates are the President and CEO (respectively) of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc. - an independent agency with offices in Seattle and Los Angeles. After meeting one another at Dana's family agency Ingham, Coates, & Payne, and hitting it off almost immediately, Gina and Dana pursued separate careers in the Insurance Industry so as not to mix business with personal. Even so, family and friends doubted this unique couple's long-term potential for success. Luckily, Gina and Dana proved everyone wrong both personally and professionally!
In 1996 Gina and Dana formed United Western Insurance Brokers, but still maintained separate insurance careers until finally giving in to collectively lead UWIB in 2004. This decision turned out to be a good one on many levels. As the agency grew, Gina guided the Private Client team while Dana headed up Commercial P&C and Benefits. They now have a staff of over 15, and love watching, teaching, encouraging and applauding each member's success.
Dana is a native of Pasadena, CA whose family's roots in the insurance business date back to 1918. Following in the family business, Dana has been a licensed insurance broker since the mid 1970s and has served as the CEO of United Western Insurance Brokers since 1996. UWIB is an independent agency based in Los Angeles and Seattle and serving the Western United States, and with a growing emphasis in the Pacific Northwest.
While he remains very engaged with the agency's major clients, Dana focuses equally on Agency Management, Agency Operations, and Insurance Industry Technology. He is known for being innovative and experimental in his approach-always seeking new tools to improve the client and agent experience through modern technology.
Because of his own experience as a business owner, Dana loves assisting other business owners and successful families in strategically navigating their insurance and risk management needs. He prefers complicated and messy situations where he can use his natural problem-solving abilities to find creative solutions. Dana attributes his talents both to being the youngest in a large family and learning how to overcome dyslexia: both realities that taught him the value of viewing challenges as opportunities.
If you are interested in working with Dana, please click on the "My Focus" box above to see if he focuses on an area in which you are seeking expertise. If so, he would jump at the opportunity to assist you in overcoming a risk management issue, a business culture challenge, or an insurance coverage need.
Dana Coates is the CEO of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc., an independent agency with offices in Seattle and Los Angeles. Along with his wife Gina, Dana focuses on agency management, operations, and technology. With experience in the industry spanning nearly five decades, Dana has served in almost every role-from underwriter to software design partner; from agency owner to industry association volunteer. Regardless of the role, Dana brings his passion for helping people find practical solutions to their agency management, and risk management needs.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Consultant
Ellen has been serving the communications needs of the Insurance industry since 2014 and, prior to that, spent eight years working in Documentary and Non-Fiction Television (i.e. Reality TV).
In June of 2020, she started her own company Just Add Communications LLC with the goal of providing high-quality content and digital marketing strategies to independent insurance agencies, and any other businesses who need her help. She has served as UWIB's Marketing & Communications Consultant since July, 2020 where she focuses on accelerating the agency's growth by leveraging digital marketing, email automation, and content marketing strategies.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Ellen has lived and worked up and down the East Coast, throughout the Mid-west, and now calls Denver, Colorado home. She received her B.S. in Communication Studies from New York University and her M.A. in Communications from Johns Hopkins University. When not writing, filming, or building websites, Ellen is most likely spending time with her own horses or volunteering with local therapeutic riding organizations.
Job Titles:
- President, Southwest Territory
Eric was born and raised in La Canada and received his degree in Business Management from Cal-State Northridge, then immediately joined a well respected insurance carrier. After a fast-paced two year stint as a company underwriter, Eric parlayed that experience to transition over to the retail side of the insurance industry. After two additional years of retail insurance experience, Eric joined the Western Division of United Agencies in 2009.
Job Titles:
- President & Sr. Executive
- President of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc
Gina grew up in West Covina, CA and broke into the insurance industry immediately after graduating high school. As a natural "people-person" and quick learner, she excelled in her career and soon became a successful insurance agent. As luck would have it, Gina became employed by Dana's family agency Ingham, Coates, & Payne, an old-line agency with roots dating back to 1918. When Gina and Dana hit it off almost immediately, she decided to move to a different company to avoid a conflict of interest.
For the next two decades, Gina honed her skills and grew her insurance career at C.G. Anderson & Associates and Bolton & Company, where she focused on Risk Consulting for highly successful families. During this time, Gina and Dana founded UWIB together but, it was only in 2004 that they decided to take the plunge as full business partners in its operation. This was obviously a good move, as UWIB has continued to grow and now employs over 15 people (with plans to expand even more).
Today, Gina serves as the President and owner of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc., a proudly woman-owned, and minority-owned business. She still maintains expertise in designing custom plans for successful families, as well as leading a team with the know-how to craft solid insurance portfolios to meet the needs for a wide range of clients.
Outside of work, Gina enjoys traveling with Dana, gardening, yoga, spinning, hiking, shopping, and puppes (not necessarily in that order). She and Dana split their time between Los Angeles and Seattle, where UWIB is fast becoming one of the top agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
Gina Coates is the President of United Western Insurance Brokers, Inc., an independent agency based in Los Angeles and Seattle, with a focus on serving the Western United States. Gina's career in insurance spans nearly four decades, from the time she met her now-husband and business partner Dana working at his family agency, through seventeen years with Bolton & Company. Over the years, Gina has proven herself to be an expert at designing custom insurance solutions for successful individuals and families. Since 2004, she has led UWIB's Private Clients team and served as the agency's President.
Job Titles:
- Team Leader, Account Support Services
Jamie brings 10 years of Insurance experience to the UWIB team. She works with both Personal & Commercial Lines departments to ensure assigned tasks are processed accordingly and within a timely manner.
Jesse grew up in Coeur d' Alene Idaho and received a bachelor's degree in Nutrition from The University of Northern Colorado. Jesse started his college career at North Idaho College in Coeur D' Alene on a wrestling scholarship where he became a 2x collegiate All- American and a 2011 NJCAA National Champion. He finished his schooling on a wrestling scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado.
After graduation Jesse started his insurance career with Allstate where he learned the fundamentals of small business insurance, personal lines, and life insurance coverage. He also obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2019. In 2017 and 2018 Jesse earned Top Commercial Producer status for Allstate by selling the most business owner policies under the Dental insurance vertical and won trips to Miami and Santa Barbara. After Allstate Jesse worked for Old Town Insurance Group as an independent agent where he learned the fundamentals of how an independent agency operates.
Jesse enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors and loves spending time with his wife and two young children. Jesse's prior captive and independent agency experience is a great fit for United Western Insurance Brokers.
Job Titles:
- President of the Pacific Northwest Division of UWIB
- President, Pacific Northwest Territory
Josh was born and raised in Pasadena, California and received his degree in Communication from Seattle Pacific University. After graduation, Josh pursued a business opportunity with Allstate Insurance Company where he gained a strong foundational understanding of the technical side of insurance underwriting. During his years with Allstate, Josh was honored to be selected to receive advanced training in Allstate's National underwriting headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois.
Josh accepted UWIB's offer to lead our operations in the Pacific Northwest in May of 2016. He is based in our Seattle office.
While in college, Josh built his love for and knowledge of the specialty coffee industry at Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea (now part of Peet's) and Milstead & Co - one of Seattle's most honored Specialty Coffee shops, which has been recognized among the top 10 SCAA shops in the US.
Josh is an accomplished athlete, cyclist, and golfer. He has developed close working relationships within the coffee, bicycle, hand-crafted beer, wine and distillery industries. As a result, he is truly the perfect fit to lead our Seattle office with a close focus on risk management and insurance practices on these industries, all of which are prevalent in the Pacific Northwest.
Josh is President of the Pacific Northwest Division of UWIB, and Indy Mae is a vibrant and very active youngster.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Manager
- Customer Service and Administration
Lillian grew up in Los Angeles, and attended the University of California, Riverside where she obtained her bachelor's degree in sociology. After graduating, Lillian went on to pursue a career in the insurance industry, familiarizing herself with all things Commercial Lines over the course of four years. Always one to go above and beyond, she obtained her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation in 2016.
In her spare time Lillian enjoys spending time with her daughter, as well as her family and friends. On any given weekend Lillian may be on a hike in the local mountains, or at one of the many world-class museums in Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Associate Commercial Lines Account Manager
Michelle grew up in Santa Clarita, attending West Ranch High School where she was an active member of many activities. Michelle has been in the insurance industry for several years now, and is adding to her knowledge daily. UWIB is a great fit for Michelle, as the whole team has come together to support her in her career. Michelle has quickly proven an invaluable asset to our organization and clients, with her warm personality, tech-savviness, and attention to detail.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Manager
Miriam grew up in the San Fernando Valley, attending the North Hollywood High - Zoo Magnet school. Miriam is experienced in a wide variety of Commercial Insurance types, including Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability, and Employment Practices Liability, among many others! Her insurance journey began in 2015, and Miriam loves continuing to learn and meet new clients.
In her spare time, Miriam enjoys going to concerts across Los Angeles, watching films, and tending to her beehive in her yard.
Job Titles:
- Group & Individual Benefits Account Manager
- Health & Life Agent
In 1999, Monica Lopez entered the insurance industry as a receptionist. By 2011, she had earned her way up to being a full fledged Account Manager specializing in Group Benefits.
In 2015, she joined United Western Insurance Brokers as our Group Benefits Account Manager. Monica has extensive knowledge in Employee Benefits and is a seasoned problem solver. She is recognized for her exceptional customer care through her attention to detail and her ability to treat our clients like family.
Monica is a licensed Health & Life Agent and a Certified ACA Agent. Monica loves traveling to tropical destinations, dancing, romantic comedies & gardening. Monica and her family reside in Southern California.
Nick Latshaw is a native Californian, born and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles called Northridge.
He began his insurance career in 1992 with Chubb Insurance Company and worked his way through the chairs to ultimately become a seasoned commercial underwriter. In June of 2000, Nick left the carrier side of the business and joined a regional insurance brokerage as a Commercial Account Executive, and in 2012 he joined UWIB where he has furthered his skills and frequently serves as a role model to other leading members of the Commercial Insurance Division. Nick's expertise in coverage for the Entertainment, Construction and Non-Profit Sectors is superior to that of most brokers serving these communities.
Also in 2012, Nick earned his CIC designation, a professional designation which requires extensive insurance study.
Nick seeks to partner with growing middle market companies, committed to protecting their hard work through risk mitigation. Nick has seen the carrier side and the agency side and enjoys helping business owners protect what they have built.
Nick, his wife Nikki, and their four children reside in the foothill community of Sierra Madre.
Job Titles:
- Executive, Agency Operations
Sean is a true Angeleno, having grown up in Manhattan Beach and later attending college at Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles. While at LMU Sean majored in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and was a member of the Entrepreneurship Association.
After college, Sean went on to Co-Found a successful Specialty Coffee Company in Michigan and later became Director of Operations for a mid-sized transportation company based in Southern California.
Sean is quite technically capable and is the point person for UWIB's state-of-the-art cloud based data management system, the company's cutting-edge Client Servicing website and spearheads the company's Social Media campaigns. Sean brings positive energy and a can-do spirit to complement his seasoned entrepreneurial and operational excellence.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Account Manager
Vanessa was born in San Francisco and was raised in the Bay Area. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Decision Sciences. She was the unofficial Director of Social Activities for the Decision Sciences Student Association and is still friends with most of the members.
Vanessa began her career in insurance in 2015. She earned her Property & Casualty Broker-Agent license and then a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation. She has experience managing policies for Architects and Engineers and Real Estate and Hospitality clients among a variety of other clientele.
Vanessa has a passion for learning, teaching, and innovation. She always looks for ways to improve her efficiency and often becomes the unofficial trainer wherever she works. Her attention to detail and organizational skills are her greatest strengths.
During her free time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family and friends watching movies, eating good food, and playing board games. She also loves to travel with her partner, Loren. After a very long engagement, they are finally getting married in November of 2022 in Monterey.
Veronica Gonzales began her insurance career in 2003. In 2013 she joined us here at United Western Insurance Brokers as an Operations Assistant but quickly demonstrated the initiative needed to be promoted to Private Client Services Assistant, and ultimately to become a full-fledged Agent in our High Net Worth Division.
Veronica possesses a diverse array of attributes which are perfectly suited to meet the needs of our HNW clients and family members. Veronica is part of a team that strives to deliver truly excellent customer service. Her fast paced, fun and friendly approach to life fuels our office culture.
Veronica was born, raised and continues to reside here in Southern California with her husband and daughters. Veronica enjoys visiting with family members, baking goodies, and learning new things.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Account Support Services