Meet Our Team

At TDA Insurance, we've built our team with individuals who have the highest standards for client communication and servicing. No matter who you interact with at TDA Insurance, you'll have the best experience possible.

Get Familiar With The TDA Now Insurance Team

Mark Diederich

CEO

My name is Mark Diederich, I have owned the agency with my wife Sherry for the last 27 years. I try to treat others the way I would like to be treated. This is one thing I have been focused on throughout my career in serving clients. If you put yourself in others’ shoes, the probability of a positive outcome is very good. If we take care of our clients, everything else will take care of itself.

I currently serve as the CEO of the Agency. This keeps me involved in all aspects of the agency. I also actively work in our Financial Services Department as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), assisting clients with their investments and planning.

I started my career with GMAC Insurance in 1987 after graduating from Central Michigan University. After several successful years in the corporate world, I had a desire to exercise my entrepreneurial spirit. Looking for opportunities to start my own business, it only made sense to use my background in Insurance. I started my first agency with Nationwide Insurance in 1996. I rapidly grew my agency from no clients to many. As we went through some market cycles, it became clear that representing only one company was not in the best interest of my clients. In 2010, we made a tough decision to resign from Nationwide and start a scratch independent agency. That was the right decision for us, and our clients, and we have been on an upward trajectory ever since.

Understanding that knowledge is a powerful ally, I continued my education completing my MBA from the University of Detroit in 1990. Since then, I have secured my Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Charter Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designations.

I grew up in Dearborn Heights, MI and have been in the area my whole life. I have been married to my business partner Sherry for 27 years. We have two awesome adult children, Dan, and Matthew, who also share the passion for helping others and have joined the Agency to take it to the second generation.
In my limited spare time, I enjoyed coaching youth sports, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

Years of Experience - 36

Meet Mark

Sherry Diederich

President

My mane is Sherry Diederich, President, and Agency Principal at TDA. I have been working as an insurance agent for 27+ years, since my husband, Mark, and I opened the agency in 1996. I earned my bachelor’s degree and started working at GM after graduating. I worked in their licensing department selling the dealership’s insurance. In my career at GM, I ended up supervising a call center for MIC General (GM’s auto and home insurance company for their employees). I met my husband, Mark, while working at GM.

What I love most about working at TDA is the people – our employees, our clients, and our relationship with our carriers. We treat our employees and our clients like family at TDA. My family is everything to me. My husband, Mark, and my two sons, Danny, and Matthew are my world. Some of my hobbies and interests include golfing, cooking, spending time in my pool, and flowers. Something many people may not know about me is that I have a twin.

Meet Sherry

Dan Diederich

VP of Marketing & Property and Casualty Lines

My name is Dan Diederich, I am the oldest son of our agency owners, Mark, and Sherry. Ever since I was a little kid, I have grown up in the office and around the insurance industry. I have developed a deep passion for protecting peoples’ families, businesses, and assets through insurance products, and being dependable and reliable for people when they need it most.

I got both my property and casualty and life and health insurance licenses shortly after turning 18. I have also gone on to earn my Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Authority in Workman's Compensation (CAWC) insurance designations, that have given me additional training and coverage knowledge to better serve our clients. I am a huge sports fanatic, so I treat my career education like I treat practice and try to focus on getting a little better and learning something new every day, which is easy to do in this industry.

Currently, I oversee our property and casualty division at the agency, and have a strong focus on marketing and sales, which is what I concentrated on in my studies at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI.

Aquinas is where I met my current fiancé, Remington, on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica after my junior year, and we have been together ever since. I played lacrosse and she played tennis there, and we both continue to have a great passion for sports and travel. Outside of work and travel, I spend most of my time playing sports or coaching JV White Lacrosse with my brother, Matt, at our high school alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central.

Matt and I work hard every day to try to build on the great foundation that our parents have built for our agency. Family is a very important value to us, and our motto is that we treat our employees like family, so they will treat our clients like family, and as a whole TDA family we can make a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Meet Dan

Matthew Diederich

VP of Operations & Life-Health-Financial Services Lines

My name is Matthew Diederich, youngest son of our owners Mark and Shery. During high school and college, I worked for a total of 5 summers at TDA. I graduated from Central Michigan University and Detroit Catholic Central high school. I started full time at the agency, right upon graduation from CMU.

I have my P/C license as well as a life and health insurance license. I have been exposed to the insurance industry throughout my childhood and have seen the positive impact that insurance products can have on helping people when they need it most.

I went into the industry because I have seen first-hand how rewarding it can be to assist people during challenging times, like when a claim occurs. I like working in the insurance industry because insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind to individuals, families, and businesses. I love being able to help people when they need it most, and the best part about working at TDA is that we treat everyone like they are part of the family.

I was born and raised in Novi, Michigan. I love the community here and it is a big part of why I love helping people. I recently moved into a house in Wolverine Lake with my girlfriend, Haydin, and my golden retriever, Bogi. In my free time, I love playing sports, spending time with loved ones, and being outside. I am in a softball, volleyball, and basketball league. I also am an assistant coach for the JV white lacrosse team at Detroit Catholic Central high school. When I am not playing sports, I usually am out on the lake or enjoying some quality time with friends and family.

Meet Matthew

Amy Brace

Personal Lines Service Director

My name is Amy Brace, I lead the agency’s personal lines service department. It’s important to me that a long and successful relationship is maintained with our clients. My team works hard to ensure quick and efficient service.

I’m originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, but have lived in Michigan for many years. I am an alumnus of Central Michigan University and have 28 years of insurance experience. I am proud to say that I have worked for the Diederich family and TDA for 21 years of my insurance career.

Meet Amy

Anthony Finn

Sales and IT Director

My name is Anthony Finn, I’m currently the sales manager, and I’ve worked at TDA for 18 years in various positions. My favorite thing about TDA is the people I work with, and the family feel of our office. At the end of the day work is work, but when you enjoy spending time with your bosses and coworkers during the day, it makes work a wonderful place to be. I also love that the owners of TDA have created a supportive structure that puts their employees in a position to be successful. In my free time, I love playing basketball, softball, golf, and spending time with my wife and four children.

Meet Anthony

Lisa Kennedy

Commercial Lines Service Director

My name is Lisa Kennedy, and I am a legacy principal of Kennedy Nemier Insurance. After merging with TDA Insurance in 2021, I have held various leadership roles within the new organization. I have over 26 years of experience and earned the insurance designation, “Certified Authority on Worker’s Compensation”.

While I spend a good portion of my day interfacing with existing clients and leading the commercial lines service team, I still have a passion for assisting new clients with their personal, commercial, and life insurance needs. In my spare time, I enjoy Michigan summers at the cottage, international travel, home improvement projects, dining and socializing with friends.

Meet Lisa

David Delano

Commercial Insurance Advisor

My name is David Delano, I am insurance advisor here at the agency, assisting business owners with their insurance portfolio. I started my insurance career in October of 2002, and joined Kennedy Nemier Insurance in September of 2014.

My favorite thing about working in the insurance industry is developing relationships with my clients and helping them protect their businesses. I am proud to say that I have numerous clients that I've worked with for 15+ years.

Before entering the insurance industry, I worked in the golf business as a Golf Professional. I met my wife in October of 2001 and realized that I did not want to stay in the golf industry when getting married. During the summer of 2002, a friend of mine mentioned that his family-owned business was looking for someone to come on board as a commercial insurance producer. The rest is history, I started my insurance career that fall at Schafer Agency in Carleton, Michigan. Eventually, I became the president of Michigan PIA. I also was one of the founding members of the Michigan YIP (Young Insurance Professionals).

Today, my wife, Wendie, and I are approaching our 20th anniversary on October 11th. We live in Livonia with our daughter, Lilly, our son, Owen, and our dog, Penny. Our daughter is currently a senior and our son is a freshman at Livonia Stevenson. In my free time, I am an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach at Livonia Stevenson. I spend most of my time outside of work either with my kids watching their athletic activities or coaching. I wouldn’t trade being a dad for anything!

Meet David

Driscoll Lilley

Insurance Advisor

My name is Driscoll Lilley, insurance advisor here at the agency. I have three years of experience in insurance and at TDA. I began working here right after college on July 1, 2020. My favorite thing about working here at TDA is the family environment. It makes coming to work fun and exciting, always pushing me to be the best I can to help grow the business and support those around me. I also love talking to new people every day and educating them on how insurance products can help protect their family’s financial future.

I graduated from Central Michigan University in the spring of 2020 with a degree in marketing and general sales. I moved to Novi in 2021 and am currently looking at buying a new home in the coming months in the Walled Lake area. My hobbies outside of work include golf, playing in a soccer league, wake surfing, wake boarding, water sports, and hanging out with my friends and dog.

Meet Driscoll

Eric Johnson

Insurance Advisor

My name is Eric Johnson, an insurance advisor here at TDA. I have been in the insurance industry since November 2007 (15 years to date). I really enjoy helping people understand insurance and filling gaps where they’re missing coverage. To be able to get people the proper coverage and protect their financial future is a source of pride for me. I like working at TDA because of the comradery and that everyone works as a team. There is an excellent group of people working here and their positive attitudes make working here lovely.

My family is a big part of my life. I have two siblings and I love my nieces and nephews so much! I have won the title of Fun Uncle! My parents have been such a positive influence on who I have become. My hobbies are: Sailing leisurely, but I’m also on a racing team. I love kayaking, fishing, hiking, golfing, and cooking. Spending time with family and friends is my favorite way to spend time.

Meet Eric

Jim Geisling

Health Insurance Advisor

My name is Jim Geisling, the Medicare and health insurance specialist in our office. I have been licensed to sell health and life insurance since 2008 and have been employed through Kennedy Nemier Insurance Services since January of 2010. I am an Elite Plus Agent with Priority Health and sit on their agent counsel. I am certified on the federal government's Health Insurance Marketplace and designated a circle of champion each year since the Affordable Care Act was enacted.

My favorite part about working at TDA is helping individuals understand and properly act when they become eligible for Medicare. A few interesting facts about me are that I graduated from Michigan State University (Go Green/Go White!) and have been married for 37 years with no children. During the summer, I spend my free time golfing, and in the winter, I spend my free time skiing.

Meet Jim

Steve Swanson

Life Insurance Advisor

My name is Steve Swanson, life insurance specialist and TDA and Kennedy Nemier. I originally obtained my Life and Health licenses in 2008 to expand my knowledge of the insurance industry. Although I was working in the technology field at the time, I enjoyed helping to protect families with Medicare supplements and life insurance when I could. After leaving the technology industry in 2021, I joined Kennedy Nemier Insurance Services, who were then acquired that same year by TDA.

There is a family atmosphere at TDA that genuinely cares about each employee. The entire staff at TDA always strives to put our customers’ insurance needs first, which always shows in our customer satisfaction ratings.

My wife, Marijo, and I have two married sons and 3 grandchildren all within a few miles of our home. This allows us to spend lots of family time together. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering at my church and serving at other non-profit organizations, along with golfing, bike riding and spending time at the lake boating. I also enjoy playing my guitar and songwriting.

Meet Steve

Chip Wise

Managing Agent of Wise Agency in Saginaw

My name is Chip Wise. 2024 will be my 20th year working with TDA insurance. I run our Saginaw location (The Wise Agency) and make Saginaw my home. What I like most about TDA is that we have a family tradition and are a great local independent agency.

Prior to working in the insurance industry, I graduated from Central Michigan University. My wife, Andrea, and two kids, Madison, and Mitchell, have all graduated from Central Michigan as well. My father and brother worked in the insurance industry also but have both already retired. In my free time, I enjoy golfing and traveling to up north Michigan.

Meet Chip

Sabrena Nicks

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Sabrena Nicks, personal lines account manager, assisting our auto and home insurance clients with their renewals and any help they need on their policies throughout the year.

I am originally from the west side of Michigan but moved to the Commerce area about four years ago. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Cody, and we have two children, Brayden & Owen. In our free time, we love sports and spending time with our dog Finn, and two cats Salem and Blu.

I’ve worked in the insurance industry and at TDA Insurance for just under two years. Prior to making the change to insurance, I managed a day care facility. I love that each day at TDA brings new challenges and opportunities to grow and learn from. I love working closely with people who are like family and collaborating to find the best price and coverage for each client’s unique needs that best fit their situation.

Meet Sabrena

Kristen Brenner

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Kristen Brenner, personal lines account manager. I have been in the insurance industry since 2011 and have been with Kennedy Nemier Insurance/TDA Insurance & Financial since 2018. After a long and lengthy period in the restaurant and retail industry I decided it was time for some stable hours. Monday-Friday 8-5 was becoming a schedule necessity with growing kids. I have been married to my husband, Gary, since 1999 and together we have 2 children, Zoë, and Andrew.

One of my favorite things about working in the industry is creating teams and partnerships with each client I encounter. I truly believe that “trust and proper coverage” is very important! In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, scrapbooking, shopping, watching college football, (GO Blue & Go Dawgs!) and traveling.

Meet Kristen

Robin O'Malley

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Robin O’Malley, I am a personal lines account manager at Kennedy Nemier and TDA. I grew up in the Detroit area in a family of insurance professionals. I have worked in the agency side of the insurance business for 20 years and have experience in both personal and commercial insurance. I have been with Kennedy Nemier Insurance for 5 years, and plan to be here for many years to come.

My favorite thing about working at TDA and Kennedy Nemier is that we consider ourselves a team and help each other out. My coworkers and teammates are all hard workers and have our customers' best interests in mind. An insured person can talk to any one of us at TDA and receive excellent service. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, walking for exercise, and spending time with family and friends. Family is everything to me.

Meet Robin

Bailey Simon

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Bailey Simon, personal lines account manager, assisting clients with their auto and home insurance policies here at the agency. I have been working in the insurance industry for almost 7 years and have been with TDA for 1 year. Family is super important to me, so I love that TDA is family-owned and family oriented.

Prior to working in the insurance industry, I graduated from cosmetology school. The job working in insurance fell into my lap and I loved working in the industry immediately. In my free time, I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I am married and have a 10-month-old son and a 1-year-old Golden Retriever.

Meet Bailey

Michelle Fuller

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Michelle Fuller, I have been working in insurance for 23 years, and began working at TDA on May 1st, 2023. I went to college for legal office and worked as a receptionist at an insurance agency after graduating. I have been assisting clients with their auto and home policies throughout my entire career in insurance. My current position is personal lines account manager. What I like most about TDA is that it is a family-oriented business with a positive work environment.

In my free time, I enjoy visiting different cities in Michigan. I am currently visiting one city per month with my best friend. We call it the alphabet tour because we started with a city that starts with the letter A, and will finish with the letter Z.

Meet Michelle

Erin McGrath

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Erin McGrath, I am a personal line account manager. I have been working at TDA and in the insurance industry for about a year. I always knew that insurance is a necessity and is important to learn about and understand. Once I learned more about insurance, I decided that I wanted to make a career out of it. I like working in the insurance industry because I can make an impact on people's lives and help our clients understand insurance and their policies. In my free time, I like playing golf, tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

Meet Erin

Pat Callebs

Personal Lines Customer Service Representative

My name is Pat Callebs, I have been an insurance agent for 25 years. I have been working with the agency for over a dozen years. I am a Property and Casualty and Life insurance agent and a personal line customer service representative.

My favorite thing about working at TDA is getting to help individuals with all their personal insurance needs every day. I have made great friends working in the insurance industry who have helped me understand the importance of building long lasting relationships with others and doing all I can to help them with their insurance needs. I have been implementing these values throughout my insurance career for a long time.

I was born in Peoria, Illinois but moved to Michigan when I was 3 years old. I grew up in a large farming community in Belleville, Michigan. I am married with three sons and have five grandsons.

Meet Pat

Margaret Anne Crowley

Commercial Account Manager

My name is Margaret Anne Crowley, commercial lines account manager, I have been working at TDA for 16 years. Prior to TDA I was a stay-at-home mom. Before that, I worked in insurance for 3 years in Toronto after graduating from college. My favorite thing about working at TDA is that they care about their clients and employees. We are always updated and educated on what is happening in the insurance world.

I am from Canada, but have been living in Novi, Michigan for 23 years. Before I moved to Michigan, my family and I lived in Tennesse for 6 years. I have 1 son, 2 daughters, and a daughter-in-law. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, scrapbooking, and I also started taking golf lessons. An interesting fact about me is that I just recently became a U.S citizen.

Meet Margaret

Laura Ford

Commercial Lines Account Manger

My name is Laura Ford, commercial lines account manager here at the agency, assisting our business insurance clients. Before coming to TDA in September of 2019, I was a commercial account manager with another agency for 28 years. Coming to work for TDA was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I wish I had done it sooner!

I recently moved to northern Michigan where I live with my husband, Mike, and my dog, Aubrey. We enjoy walks in the forest, boating, and gardening. The absolute best way to spend my time is hanging out with my family, especially my grandkids.

Meet Laura

Remington Gerst

Commercial Lines Customer Service Representative

My name is Remington Gerst, I have recently begun my career in the insurance industry at TDA, although I have had an interest in the industry for many years. I currently assist our business clients with servicing their policies.

My favorite thing about working at TDA is listening to and learning from our clients. As a commercial lines' customer service representative, I enjoy hearing about their unique needs and business operations to help them receive the best care. It is great to work with the multiple insurance carriers to ensure clients have the best rates and coverage. I am also very interested in learning and working on the risk management part of insurance.

I received my Master of Science from the Human Behavior, Education & Communication graduate program at the University of Michigan School for Environment & Sustainability in April 2023, along with a certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from the School of Engineering. I also earned my B.S. in Sustainable Business and Community Leadership in 2019 from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI. Between my undergraduate and master’s degree, I worked in supply management as a social compliance auditor, focused on helping ensure a wide variety of businesses and manufacturing facilities were compliant in health & safety, best business practices, risk management, and other business processes and procedures.

I’m originally from Grand Rapids, MI and moved to Walled Lake/Wolverine Lake after finishing my undergraduate degree, in 2019. In my free time, I love reading, traveling, being outside/in nature, and staying active, especially by playing tennis and golf.

Meet Remington

Irene Regala

Personal Lines Customer Service Representative

My name is Irene Regala, customer service rep for our personal lines department. I've been in the customer service industry for 5 years and almost 2 years now with TDA. I am working virtually from Manila, Philippines and I am very grateful to be working with the TDA team. What I like most about working with TDA is everyone is very friendly, helpful, understanding, and keeps you motivated every day.

During my free time, I like watching movies, hanging out with friends, playing billiards, and exploring new restaurants with my family. An interesting fact about me is that I come from a family who loves karaoke.

Meet Irene

Louie Matre

Personal Lines Customer Service Representative

My name is Louie Matre, I recently began my career in the insurance industry at TDA and have been working here for three months. Prior to TDA, I worked as a Customer Service Representative for 5 years. A friend recommended that I work in the insurance industry, a decision that I am happy led me to TDA Insurance.

What I like most about TDA is the people that I work with. Everyone works as a team to make sure everyone is keeping up and that no one is left behind. I spend my free time playing guitar and challenging myself to play complex video games. But most of my free time is spent relaxing and reading books. I enjoy all types of books if it's an interesting read.

Meet Louie

Anna Warner

Marketing Intern

My name is Anna Warner, I have been a marketing intern at TDA since May 8th, 2023. I am currently a digital marketing student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and plan to graduate in the spring of 2024. In the winter of 2023, I became the Vice President of Professional Development for the American Marketing Association at my university.

My favorite thing about working at TDA is the positive work environment. Everyone has welcomed me and treated me like family since the day I started. I love getting to help a family business grow their brand, and I’m happy to work for a company that wants to do good for their clients and community.

I spend most of my free time hanging out with friends and family. I love to travel and visit new places as much as possible. I also love listening to music, working out, relaxing/watching movies with my cat, art, fashion, and spending time outside.

Meet Anna

Nicole Palazzolo

Insurance Advisor

My name is Nicole Palazzolo, I have been an insurance agent for 10 years. I am a Property, Casualty, and Life insurance agent, as well as a personal lines customer service representative. I worked with the agency prior to having children and now I’m back.

My favorite thing about working at TDA is helping individuals with all their personal insurance needs daily. I love collaborating to find the best price and coverage for each client’s unique needs that best fit their situation.

I have lived in Plymouth now for over 13 years. I am also married and have 3 girls. In our free time, we love going up north, beach days, and spending time with our friends and families. Prior to working in insurance, I was an event planner and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Liberty University.

Meet Nicole

Jennifer Lafountain

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Jennifer Lafountain, and I have been in the insurance industry for 6 years. I began working at TDA as a personal lines account manager on August 14^th.I really enjoy speaking with the clients and helping them with their insurance needs. One of my favorite things about working at TDA is that all my coworkers are very kind and helpful. I appreciate them and feel we work well together.

I have an associate degree as a paralegal, but I have a passion for insurance. In my free time, I love spending time with my 3 sons, friends, and family. I also enjoy walking and hiking.

Meet Jennifer

Patrick Hegarty

Customer Service Representative

My name is Patrick Hegarty, and I started my career here at TDA in 2023. Before joining the insurance industry, I attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. At that time, I spent many summers working in warehouse environments.

My favorite thing about working at TDA is that we are a family business where we all care about each other. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, spending time with family and friends, and watching sports.

Meet Patrick

Karen Brice

Commercial Lines Account Manager

My name is Karen Brice, and I am excited to have joined TDA Insurance as a Commercial Lines Account Manager in November of 2023. I have been working in the insurance industry since 2016 and have earned my P&C license in 26 states. My favorite thing about working in the insurance industry is learning about the different insurance offerings to help clients with their insurance needs.

I relocated to Michigan from Georgia in December of 2021 to be closer to family. While living in Georgia, I specialized in transportation, first in compliance and then moved to commercial truck insurance. In my free time, I enjoy going over to Canada every weekend and spending time with my daughter’s family. I have two little grandchildren that I adore watching grow up.

Meet Karen

Kevin Ostheimer

Personal Lines Account Manager

My name is Kevin Ostheimer and I have been in the insurance industry for 22 years. The thing I enjoy most about the insurance industry is the ability it gives me to help people and educate them about insurance. I live in the area and have been with my wife for 25 years. We have a 13-year-old daughter who is the light of our lives. I have a BA From EMU in Film. I’m a Detroit sports fan and really enjoy the Red Wings, Tigers, and Lions. I also paint, write, and draw.

Meet Kevin