Our Staff
Jim Knepper CLU, ChFC, CIC
President
Jim began his insurance career in June of 1974 as a personal lines Customer Service Representative. His current responsibilities include overall management of the agency as well as customer sales. Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Action Program of Somerset County (Tablelands, Inc.) of which he is a Past President. He is also a Board Member of both Laurel Arts, Inc. and Somerset Trust Company. Jim is Past President and a member of Somerset Volunteer Fire Department; and a member of the Somerset Rotary Club, the Somerset Corrections Institution liaison committee, and the Somerset Borough Planning Commission. He attends Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In Jim’s spare time, he enjoys golf, skiing, and racquetball. Jim and his wife Lorie have two children, Alexandra and Erin.
Email: jgk@knepperinsurance.com
Andrea Zachar
Life & Health Department
Andrea joined the Knepper Insurance Group in 2005, working in the Life and Health Department as a Customer Service Representative. In April 2006, she became a Senior Products Specialist dealing with Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, and Long Term Care Insurance. Along with advising clients on their Medicare options, she also continues her customer service duties in the health department, and handles life insurance products. Andrea is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Somerset, where she volunteers with the Youth Group and other church activities. She is also involved with the Eager Beavers 4-H, and is a member of the Somerset Hospital Auxiliary. She and her husband Joe have three children, Joseph, Jessica and Johanna. Her interests include reading, Yoga, spending time with her friends and family, and Penn State football.
Email: andrea@knepperinsurance.com
Cathy Niemiec
Customer Service Representative
Cathy worked as an Administrative Assistant for 14 years before joining the Knepper Agency as a Bookkeeper/Receptionist in 2001. After a year and a half, she moved to the health department and obtained her life and health license. Since that time, Cathy has been assisting customers with questions about their benefits or problems with claims, prescriptions etc. She also helps to enroll new groups to the agency. Cathy is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church where she helps with CCD. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her childrens’ sporting events and activities, reading, and watching movies. Cathy is married to Matt and they have three children, Trevor, Courtney and Emily.
Email: can@knepperinsurance.com
Shari Peters
Account Manager
Shari is an Account Manager in the Commercial Insurance Department. She is responsible for the customer service of all commercial accounts, and assists in the sales and placement of new business. Shari graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with B.S. degree in Business in 1993. She obtained the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1994 and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2002. She has been employed with Knepper Insurance Group since 1998. Shari lives in Somerset with her husband Brett and two children, Haylee and Garrett. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and extracurricular activities, and reading.
Email: sbp@knepperinsurance.com
Sue Miller
Bookkeeper
Sue has worked as a bookkeeper and in accounting since 1986,and has worked for Knepper Insurance for the past nine years. Sue’s duties include receptionist, bookkeeping and accounting functions for the agency. In 2006 she received her Property and Casualty license and since then has also assisted with customer service in the personal lines department. She is an associate member of the Red Knights Chapter 28, a member of the Berlin Volunteer Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary and a member of Trinity United Church of Christ. She enjoys reading and attending her son’s sporting events. Sue is married to Bill and they have two sons, Brandon and Blake.
Email: sem@knepperinsurance.com
Susie Zerfoss
Account Manager
Susie Zerfoss is the Personal Lines Account Manager of the agency. She has been employed with Knepper Insurance since December of 1976. Her responsibilities include customer service along with sales of personal lines accounts. Susie maintains a Property and Casualty license as well as an Accident and Health license. She is also a Notary Public in the state of Pennsylvania. Susie resides in Somerset with her husband Randy, and has two children, Craig and Joshua. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and testing her luck at the slots in Wheeling.
Email: ksz@knepperinsurance.com
Laurie Wahl
Account Executive
Laurie has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been with Knepper Insurance since January of 2000. She is the Account Executive for the Health Department and is licensed in Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities. Laurie is responsible for new sales and the retention of existing customers. In addition to advising clients regarding their employees health insurance benefits, Laurie also handles supplemental benefits for employer groups such as group life, dental, vision and disability. She currently sits on the UPMC Advisory Board of Directors, representing Somerset County, the E-Map (Employer’s Medical Access Partnership) Board of Directors, and is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church working on various committees. In Laurie’s spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading, watching sporting events and the theatre. Laurie is married to Jon and they have two children, Lauren and Landon.
Email: law@knepperinsurance.com
Alexandra Knepper
Social Media Manager
Alex graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in May of 2010 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration concentrating in Management. She became a full-time Knepper Insurance employee in June of 2010. Her current responsibilities include managing the agency’s social media efforts while continuing to learn all areas of the business. She resides in Somerset and in her spare time enjoys baking, cheering on Pittsburgh sports teams, and spending time with her puppy, Lyla.
Email: alex@knepperinsurance.com
