DLR INSURANCE GROUP - Key Persons
Ben grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. As a young adult he found a passion for business and developing strong lasting relationships. His first business, a successful landscape company, was built by age 14. In 2010, Ben moved to Sarasota to begin his career in finance as a banker with Wachovia, and later Wells Fargo. After working in banking and holding various roles within the bank, he transitioned to a full-time career in financial advisory, after obtaining his 6 and 2-15 licenses with Prudential. He has won many awards in finance for his excellence, most notably achieving top recognition in his field for first-year production. In 2019, he began to expand his practice after obtaining his 2-20 license by joining DLR Insurance Group as Chief Operating Officer.
Danielle is a Georgia native, and an experienced insurance agent, having begun her career working for her mother's Allstate agency in Leesburg, Georgia in 2009. Danielle holds her property and casualty, life, and health insurance licenses in the state of Georgia. Priding herself on providing the best customer service possible, she treats all clients as if they are family. She currently lives in Dawson, Georgia where she is our partner and founder of our Georgia branch. Danielle has four children of her own and two stepsons.
David was born and raised in Michigan. He attended Maranatha Baptist University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Secondary Education. After graduation, he went to Costa Rica and taught high school mathematics for three years. Afterward he returned to Michigan and worked as a teacher again for another four years before settling in Florida with his wife. He began his insurance career with Metlife in 2005 and by 2015 he founded DLR and has been company president ever since.
Erika holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Women's Studies from Hollins University. She was a professional dancer and choreographer in New York City for many years. Her greatest accomplishments so far are being a proud mom and aunt. Erika enjoys applying her experience as an artist to the creative work of marketing for DLR.
Matt joined the team in 2019 as a founder of our Michigan branch and has since been involved in agency operations and sales. He started in the insurance world in 2004 and has worked in different capacities including agency owner, marketing rep, instructor, and consultant. Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of numerous national insurance awards and recognitions.
When Matt isn't helping clients with their insurance needs, he and his wife Stacy keep busy with their very active family, generally cheering on a game from the bleachers.
Rachael is a Florida native, born in Tampa Bay. From the age of 9, she experienced life on the road with her parents who hail from an 8th generation circus family. Traveling throughout the United States and Canada, she performed in the ring with their Wild Exotic Big Cats, alongside learning how to train and care for the animals behind the scenes. She also performed as an aerialist, presented horses, bears, and even elephants!
In her 20's she decided to leave circus life for college in Mid-Missou ri which she called home for some time. After graduation, she returned to the Sunshine State where she currently resides with her husband and son. Her career has been in office administration with experience in marketing and website design. Rachael's unique background and expertise have shaped her into a creative problem solver, and she has been an integral part of the DLR team since 2021.
Riley graduated from Duke University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a ce rtificate in Markets and Management. After graduation, he moved to the Sarasota area where he began his insurance career, tr ansitioning into the property and casualty sector in 2017, when he joined DLR.
Riley has an eclectic background having grown up in Utah, New Mexico, and Dallas, TX. He was active in multiple sports when he was younger and competed nationally and internationally in judo and wrestling. Riley was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine when he was just 12 years old for winning the prestigious Triple Crown in wrestling. He is currently the national record holder for having won the title six years in a row. Riley enjoys helping people with their insurance needs and cultivating long-term relationships with his clients.