Mark Van Epps

President

Michigan Office

616-975-3518

Mark grew up and currently resides in the boating community of West Michigan. He spent many summers working at local marinas and mating for the family’s charter fishing business on Lake Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University and is married with two daughters. His interests include fishing, boating, home brewing, camping and spending time with family and friends. Mark has worked for Charter Lakes Marine Insurance more than 15 years.

David Graham

Director of Marketing and Sales

Michigan Office

616-975-0657

David joined Charter Lakes in 2018. Prior to joining Charter Lakes, Dave worked on the carrier side and brings more than 25 years of Sales, Sales Training and Sales Leadership. Long time boat lover, growing up he spent many summers fishing and waterskiing. When not working Dave enjoys spending time with his boys, hanging out on his boat in the Summer and bowhunting Whitetails in the Fall.

Lisa Masselink

Marine Claims Manager

Michigan Office

616-975-3507

Kyle Dietrich

Account Executive

Michigan Office

616-975-3509

Kyle was born and raised in West Michigan and is married to his wife Cecilia. Growing up in a small rural community he quickly fell in love with the outdoors and he especially enjoys hunting waterfowl, whitetail, and bass fishing. Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Hope College where he also played wide receiver on the football team. He started his insurance career at Arthur J. Gallagher before coming to Charter Lakes.

April Cook-Balech

Account Executive

Maryland Office

410-827-7750

April grew up in the Annapolis-Kent Island area. She acquired much of her marine knowledge and love for boating at the US Naval Academy, where she performed as the lead female vocalist for their Midshipmens Band. She is married with 3 children and enjoys boating, training parrots, traveling and spending time with her family. Utilizing her extensive marine insurance background, April opened the first satellite office for Charter Lakes in Chester Maryland in 1997.

Evan Sideris

Program Underwriter

Michigan Office

800-879-2248

Evan is a native of the NH coast and lifelong boater. Evan has many years of insurance as well as maritime experience as a program underwriter for Marine MGA, Inc. (now One80 Intermediaries) as well as Liberty Mutual Insurance and senior underwriter for CHUBB. Evan is also an accredited professional in the field of marine surveying. Off hours, he remains an avid waterman who enjoys: sailing, surfing and sea kayaking.

Rob Willis

Account Executive

Michigan Office

616-222-1790

Married with two children and raised in Western Michigan, Rob and his family are avid weekend boaters. Remote control airplanes, camping and hunting are just a few of his other special interests. Originally trained in the culinary arts and employed as an Executive Chef at a private club for 10 years, he enjoys and understands the importance of personalized customer service. Rob joined Charter Lakes in 2005 and quickly settled in as a producer, bringing his vast customer service experience to the team.

Walter Felver

Account Executive

Michigan Office

616-222-5454

Born and Raised in West Michigan, Walt is an avid golfer, whitetail hunter, and bass fisher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University where he studied Business Finance in the Eli Broad College of Business. Walt began his career with Gallagher Charter Lakes as an intern in 2018 and has continued to grow his career over the last several years to a Producer/Underwriter on the marine team.

Chad Branch

Account Executive

Florida Office

888-418-8301

Chad is a Florida native growing up fishing the banks of the St Johns River as well as the nearshore and offshore waters of NE Florida. He has also spent thousands of hours fishing all over the SE United States while fishing tournaments on the Southern Kingfish Association Pro Tour, many Blue Marlin Tournaments in the Bahamas and Bass Tournaments with his Father. He is married with one daughter who are also both avid fisherwomen and outdoors persons. They are all avid hunters, fisherman and divers who enjoy traveling the world on their next adventure. Chad started his carrier with Charter Lakes in 2003 out of the Jacksonville, FL office.

Justin Driver

Account Executive

Michigan Office

616-975-0674

Justin was born and raised on the coastline of Lake Michigan. His love for the water led him to the marine industry, and then eventually brought him to Florida for several years where he worked and lived on motor yachts—moving them to different ports, as well as managing the vessels year-round. During this time, he developed a valuable and diverse background in mechanics and maintenance. Fresh waters called Justin back to Michigan where he established himself in operations for one of the largest marinas in the state. Justin joined Gallagher Charter Lakes in 2023 where he assists clients both on their recreational and/or commercial insurance needs. In his personal life, he and his wife spend their time chasing their young son around and enjoying all that West Michigan has to offer.

Brice Fuselier

Account Executive

Texas Office

281-452-7800

Brice was born on the Texas Gulf Coast. He has grown up fishing the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding waters. He has had a great passion for boating since buying his first boat at age 12. Today, Brice enjoys taking his wife and kids offshore fishing and scuba diving on their 38 Fountain center console. Brice has been in the insurance business for 20 years and became part of the Charter Lakes “family” in 2009. He is an avid participant in many of the fishing and boating events on the Gulf Coast. He is also a proud sponsor of many of the coastal tournaments in Texas.

Judi Budke

Account Executive

Florida Office

800-456-8936

Originally from Ely, Minnesota, Judi moved to Orange Park, Florida in 1986 to enjoy the warm weather. She graduated with an Associates Degree from Vermilion Community College in Ely, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Judi began her insurance career with Admiralty Insurance Inc in 1990 as the receptionist/bookkeeper and eventually obtained her agents license. Judi stayed on as a producer when Charles Lakes Marine Insurance purchased Admiralty in 2002. Judi has 3 children and 2 grandchildren and enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

Ryan Johnson

Account Executive

North Carolina Office

910-256-4148

Ryan grew up in Ocean City, NJ where he was introduced to boating on a 21’ Chris Craft, owned by his Godparents. Ryan worked as a mate and then a captain on large corporately owned sport fishing vessels, and had the privilege of navigating these multi-million dollar vessels up and down the Atlantic Coast, as well as into the Bahamas, chasing the white and blue marlin bite. Ryan started in the marine insurance business in 2000, and has a vast knowledge of product coverages and vessel manufactures. Ryan and his family moved to Wilmington, NC in 2005, and Ryan joined Charter Lakes as the Branch Manager and Account Executive in the Wilmington, NC office of Gallagher Charter Lakes in 2012. He, and his account manager, Rochelle, continue to focus on providing the boating community with the best insurance solutions in the market place. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys the beach and fishing with his wife and two children.

Brittany Leopold

Inside Account Executive

Michigan Office

616-975-0665

Brittany was born and raised in West Michigan. She cherishes spending time with family and friends. Brittany joined Charters Lakes in 2012 where she has worked on the Customer Service team, until 2023. Brittany was promoted to Account Executive, responsible for recreational use boats.

Eric Evans

Senior Customer Service Leader

Michigan Office

616-975-0661

Eric is our Program Account Manager and Senior Customer Service Leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business Management from Northwood University in Midland, MI, where he also had the opportunity to run on the men’s track & field team. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Kristen. He enjoys playing with his two children, playing golf with friends and family, tinkering in the garage on his vehicles, and playing guitar for fun and in his church praise band. Eric joined Charter Lakes in 2016.

Julie Chaires

Account Manager

Maryland Office

410-304-3234

Jeramy O’Brien

Account Manager

North Carolina Office

910-632-9819

Nicole Grieves

Account Manager

Florida Office

904-489-3635

Meghan Witvoet

Account Manager

Michigan Office

616-975-3507