Our Staff
Our senior staff's experience ranges from nine to 39 years in the insurance industry. Each person operates within their specialty; however, we operate in teams to address different insurance needs. These include property/casualty, employee benefits, retirement planning, and personal insurance issues. This team methodology insures that we have a more complete solution for our clients.
Here at Friedman Associates, we promote from within. Administrative staff enters the company at the front desk. This gives them a good grounding in all areas of our business. Once established, they then move into specialty areas. We provide on-going professional training, both in-house and through industry training organizations.
Commercial Property/Casualty
Neil Friedman, CLU, CBIA
Neil brings 39 years of experience to Friedman Associates with a background in property/casualty and life insurance. Neil entered the insurance business as a life agent in 1972 and became Agent of the Year for that year. He received his CLU designation in 1979.
Howard Friedman, CBIA
Howard brings 16 years experience to Friedman Associates with a background in property and casualty and an emphasis in construction, auto service and restaurant risks. Howard is a 1993 graduate from the University of Tennessee. He is currently working on his CPCU designation.
Jamie Kresinske, CBIA
Jamie brings nine years experience to Friedman Associates with a background in property and casualty and a specialty in contractors, car dealers, tow truck operators, and auto repair facilities. Jamie also specializes in developing insurance programs for human services organizations. He knows the Hampton Roads area well growing up in Norfolk, and currently resides in Virginia Beach. His experience from working in the shipyards for 13 years and for Virginia Natural Gas for eight years gives him a great understanding of the insurance needs for numerous industries.
Employee Benefits/Financial Planning
John Woleben, CLU, ChFC
John brings 33 years experience to Friedman Associates with a background in corporate and personal life insurance. John is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. He is past president of both local chapters and is the past Chairman of the Virginia Insurance Continuing Education Board. He is also a member of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council.
Thom Heckard
Thom heads up the Employee Benefits Department at Friedman Associates and brings 25 years of marketing, management and public policy experience in the field to his role. After graduating from Brown University and a stint in minor league baseball with the New York Yankees, he spent a decade working in the U.S. Congress as a legislative aide and lobbyist specializing in health and labor issues. For the past 13 years he has worked as both a carrier representative and broker to provide his clients with innovative approaches to their particular benefits challenges and thorough customer service.
Personal Property/Casualty
Tina DeMaria
Tina brings 13 years of experience to Friedman Associates with a background in personal insurance. Tina’s 25 years in customer service provides both the insurance expertise and personal attention that our clients have come to expect from Friedman Associates.
