BUSINESS
LEADERSHIP TEAM

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Edwin C. Kellam, Jr.

Chairman of the Board / Risk Management Advisor

Edwin Kellam was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He is a graduate of the St. Christopher School in Richmond and the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. After graduation from college, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Kellam is married to Connie Phillips, and they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. He started his insurance career in an agency owned by three uncles. In 1984 he joined the George H. Ware Company, now known as Ware Insurance, and became the agency President in 1989 and its Chairman in 2007. Mr. Kellam holds advanced degrees in insurance and continues his education on an annual basis. His approach is risk management, and he works with businesses both throughout the United States and internationally. He is a past President of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club and a Paul Harris fellow. He has also served on numerous boards and is currently serving as a board member for both profit and non-profit organizations. When not at the office, he can be found working in his yard or browsing in an antique store.

Edwin C. Kellam, Jr.

Chairman of the Board / Risk Management Advisor

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Sidney S. Kellam, II

President / Life & Group Benefits Specialist

Sidney S. Kellam, II is a Virginia Beach native and a graduate of Norfolk Academy, ’96, and Hampden-Sydney College, ’00 where he earned his degree in history. After graduating from college, Sidney began his career in insurance as a property and casualty agent for Ware Insurance. To improve his business knowledge and skills, Sidney completed the Harford School of Insurance, Appalachian State’s Insurance Executive Program, Old Dominion University’s Executive Development Certificate Program, and the Lefcoe Leadership Program. In 2005 Sidney assumed the role of Director of Operations for Ware Insurance, and in 2010 he became President. Today, Sidney continues to serve as President of Ware Insurance and helps businesses design an attractive and competitive Benefits Program and Executive Package. Sidney keeps busy outside of work and volunteers his time serving on several Boards or Committees such as Portsmouth Schools Foundation, Covenant United Methodist Church Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Virginia Beach Vision, and his local Elks Lodge. Sidney spends his free time with his family, camping, hiking, and simply enjoying the outdoors.

Sidney S. Kellam, II

President / CFO

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Michael P. Kellam

Chief Operating Officer / Business Insurance Specialist

A lifelong Virginia Beach resident, Michael specializes in the construction, industrial, distribution, and real estate industries. His designations include Construction Site Safety Technician, Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist, and Certified Workers Compensation Advisor. He is also a certified OSHA instructor, with over 800 hours of OSHA training under his belt, including competent person training in excavation and fall protection. He uses his unique training to identify, eliminate, reduce, and transfer operational exposures to help his clients achieve best-in-class status and more desirable a risk to the insurance marketplace. Michael is actively involved in several trade organizations including the AGC, ABC, Builders & Contractors Exchange, and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. After earning a biology degree from the University of Tennessee, Michael still enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, backpacking, and kayaking.  He now resides in Norfolk with his wife, Michelle, and young son and daughter.

Michael P. Kellam

CEO / Business Insurance Specialist

COMMERCIAL LINES

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Phillip Quam

Business Insurance Specialist

Phil has worked in the insurance industry for over 42 years and specializes in marine and construction insurance. He was born and raised in the DC area but moved to Virginia Beach in 1972 where he started his career in insurance with Allstate. After a couple of years he moved to Henderson & Phillips where he was Vice President. Phil joined the Ware team in 1991 and has been an invaluable asset. When he isn’t at his desk he can be found working in his garden, fishing off the coast or photographing local wildlife. His pictures are incredible, and he has even been featured in the local newspaper.

Phillip Quam

Business Insurance Specialist

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Phil Quam, II

Business Insurance Specialist

A native of Virginia Beach, Phil Quam, II has a diverse background in education and community development. After earning a B.A. in English from East Carolina and a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Old Dominion University, Phil taught Literature and Composition at Old Dominion University from 2013-2015. He then spent four years traveling the world and teaching English with the United States Peace Corps., serving in Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia from 2016-2019, after spending a year in Indonesia with a private education company. However, he has always remained tethered to the insurance industry, as his father has been a commercial agent for over 40 years and with Ware Insurance since 1991. Phil joined Ware Insurance in August 2019 and looks forward to continuing his business education and building strong relationships with his clients. Away from work, Phil enjoys exercise, travel, live music, acoustic guitar, cooking, and coaching youth basketball in the area.

Phillip Quam, II

Business Insurance Specialist

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Lara Smith

Commercial Lines Operations Manager

Born in Norfolk and currently residing in Virginia Beach, Lara began her career in insurance in the spring of 2013 focusing on Commercial Lines coverages. She has earned her Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation, as well as her Certified Professional Insurance Agent and Certified Builders Insurance Agent designations. She is currently working towards her Accredited Customer Service Representative designation. Hard-working and detail-oriented, she has proven to be a great asset to our clients, working mostly with medium-sized business accounts. When she’s not baking treats to bring into the office, she likes to spend her time at the beach with her dog or in her studio making art and music. She enjoys the Oceanfront community where she lives and spends time with her friends and family, typically trying out a new restaurant, taking in an art exhibition, or listening to live music.

Lara Smith

Commercial Lines Operations Manager

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Danielle Liddy

Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager

Danielle has worked in the insurance industry since 1999. She started out as a bookkeeper for an independent insurance agency in Maryland, worked for several years as a Personal Lines agent and then shifted her focus to Commercial Lines in 2005. Danielle has received three designations – Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA), Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS), and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS). As a Senior Account Manager, Danielle handles an extensive book of business that focuses on large and complex commercial accounts. When Danielle is not at work, you can find her at the ice rink or soccer fields with her two boys & husband who are very active in sports.

Danielle Liddy

Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager

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Stacey Kearney

Commercial Lines Account Manager

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Stacey has worked in the insurance industry since 1992 with a focus on commercial accounts. Stacey has received three designations - Certified Insurance Counselor, Certified Insurance Service Representative, and Accredited Customer Service Representative. Along with assisting a team of talented agency account managers, Stacey works directly with the insurance carriers on new business placements and marketing for current clients. Among her favorite things is spending time with her four daughters and husband in the Outer Banks or camping.

Stacey Kearney

             Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager

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Tara Frederick

Claims Advocate

Tara is originally from the Asheville NC area, but has been a Virginian since 1996. She earned a BA degree from UNC Wilmington in 1995 and earned an MBA from Saint Leo University in 2013. Tara has been in insurance since 2008 and specializes in Commercial Claims Management. She holds several designations CWCA, SBCS, CICS and CPIA.  She is currently pursuing a new designation, LPCS (Legal Principles Claims Specialist). Tara has two adult sons and a very spoiled female German Shepherd (she rules the house).  Tara enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles, and fishing with her husband.

Tara Frederick

Claims Advocate

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Janis Aldridge

Select Accounts Manager

Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia.  I have been licensed since 1996.  Familiar with personal and commercial coverage, with my main focus on writing Commercial Lines. Works directly with the insurance carriers on new business placements and marketing for current clients. My favorite pass time is jet-skiing, camping and fishing in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter with my husband and three kids.

 

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Brooke Downs

Commercial Lines Account Manager

Chelsea Zelie

Select Accounts Manager

Janis Aldridge

Commercial Lines Account Manager

Brooke Downs

Commercial Lines Account Manager 

BONDS

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Michelle Rowell              

Bond Account Manager

Moving from Missouri in 2007, Michelle currently resides in Virginia Beach with her husband and two children. She was brought onboard fall of 2020 to assist Grey in the Bonds Department. Since then, she has earned her Property and Casualty Insurance License and has started signing Probate Bonds in Hampton Roads. Great attention to detail and a decent sense of humor makes her a valuable asset to the company. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys hanging out at the beach, taking her paddleboard out, family bike rides, and reading.

 

Michelle Rowell

Bond Account Manager

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Regina Lowe

Bond Account Manager

Regina has lived in Hampton Roads all her life.  When she started her job at Ware Insurance she was in the Personal Lines department. She has been with Ware Insurance since 1981.  In 2022 she moved to the Bond Department to work alongside Grey and Michelle with their Bond Clients.  She and her husband have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. They love traveling, especially on cruises and to sporting events for their 2 grandsons. Regina has 2 granddaughters starting college in the fall at Virginia Tech and Longwood, and her youngest granddaughter is now 10 months old, all of whom she is very proud.

Regina Lowe

Bond Account Manager

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Grey Glover Jr.

Construction Bond Specialist

Grey is our resident contract bond specialist and devotes 100% of his time to the surety needs of our clients.  Grey is a member and Surety School 1 graduate of the NASBP (National Association of Surety Bond Producers) as well as a member of the ABC of Virginia, AGC, BCEVA, and he attends local events for other influential construction associations. He has developed strong relationships with our surety underwriters and has been successful in finding solutions for customers of all sizes and financial conditions. He is also a contest-winning Toastmaster and volunteers his time with the Boy Scouts, CHKD, and Susan G. Komen Foundation. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his wife and son, playing music, or playing golf.

Grey A. Glover, Jr.

Construction Bond Specialist

PERSONAL LINES AND LIFE & HEALTH

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Charles Robison

Personal Lines Coverage Specialist

Charles is a native of Norfolk.  He is an alumnus of Norfolk Collegiate School and has a BA in history from Hampden-Sydney College.  He began his career in insurance with Ware in 2011 and became licensed and certified as a Personal Lines Coverage Specialist.  Charles helps our clients find robust, tailored coverage for their personal needs such as homeowners, auto, flood, umbrella coverage, and more.  Outside the office, Charles sits on the boards of the Norfolk Crime Line, Sail Nauticus, and the vestry of the Church of the Good Shepherd.  He spends his free time with his wife and two daughters at their home in Norfolk.

Charles Robison

Personal Lines Coverage Specialist

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Cathy McCreary

Personal Lines Account Manager

Cathy is a native of Virginia born and raised in Portsmouth. She has worked in the insurance industry as a licensed personal lines agent since 1983, starting her career as a direct writer and coming to Ware Insurance in 2002. She loves every aspect of her job and treasures her relationships with her clients, many of whom are now her friends! When Cathy is not at the office she can be found enjoying the outdoors and the beach with her best friends and visiting with local friends and family. She has 2 adult children and 5 adorable grand-doggies.

Cathy McCreary

Personal Lines Account Manager

WARE SUPPORT

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Susan Wilson

Executive Support / Reception

A Virginia Beach native, Susan has been with Ware Insurance for almost 4 years. Before coming to work for us, Susan was a customer of Ware for 17 years after she and her husband bought their home. Prior to working for Ware, Susan was a stay-at-home mom for 9 years to their 2 children, Matthew and Emily. She often says, “I love being the first point of contact for our existing and potential clients when they walk through our front door or call us on the phone.”  In her spare time, Susan enjoys hanging out at the beach, going for walks in First Landing State Park, reading, and spending time with family.

Susan Wilson

Executive Support / Reception

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Linda Tallinger

Commercial Lines Account Manager / IT Manager

Born in Norfolk, Linda has lived in Coastal Virginia all her life. She began her career in the insurance business in 1981 where she worked at Travelers Insurance Company. She has been focused on Commercial Lines Insurance throughout her carrier and has also worked as an Insurance Agency IT Engineer. Linda obtained her Accredited Customer Service Representative designation, Associate in Insurance Account Management and is currently studying for her Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist designation along with her Certified Insurance Counselor designation. She enjoys working with her clients and making sure they have what they need from an insurance standpoint, so they can focus on their business. On the weekends you can find her spending time with her 3 grandchildren, with her husband in their art studio working on glass projects, and operating one of her church’s 3 cameras for their online live video stream.

Linda Tallinger

Director of Agency Operations