Mark Van Epps

President

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.

616-975-3518

Evan Sideris

Program Underwriter

Evan is a native of the NH coast and lifelong boater. He grew up racing Lasers, currently owns a J-24 and also crews aboard a Farr 40 in the local Tuesday night PHRF series. Evan has logged thousands of nautical miles, sailing a diverse fleet in both regattas and deliveries. 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 as well as teaching his 7 year old niece how to row her 1962 Dyer Dhow dinghy. Evan and his wife are longtime residents of Portsmouth, NH and members at Kittery Point Yacht Club. A true New Englander, he rarely allows adverse weather to prevent good times on the water. It is quite common to see him campaigning a home-built Cape Cod Frosty sailing dinghy throughout the Winter months in Fleet #9

800-879-2248

April Cook-Balech

Account Executive

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.

410-827-7750

Kyle Dietrich

Account Executive

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.

616-975-3509

Rob Willis

Account Executive

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.

616-222-1790

Walter Felver

Account Executive

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.

616-222-5454

Chad Branch

Account Executive

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.

888-418-8301

Justin Driver

Account Executive

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.

616-975-0674

Brice Fuselier

Account Executive

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.

281-452-7800

Judi Budke

Account Executive

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.

800-456-8936

Ryan Johnson

Account Executive

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.

910-256-4148

David Graham

Director of Marketing and Sales

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.

616-975-0657