O’Kane and Tegay Team: San Francisco Insurance Professionals
Our team members are licensed insurance professionals with experience in numerous areas, including claims handling, risk assessment, management and underwriting. Our professionals are skilled in homeowner, auto, marine, bond, commercial, workers’ compensation, professional liability, and specialty risks.
We believe that our company’s success is powerfully linked to our employees’ dedication. Our team members know that they work for a leader in Bay Area insurance, and are committed to improving the quality of our clients’ lives and businesses.
Our employees take pride in knowing that every day they help people live safer, more secure lives. Doing the right thing in the right way is one of the hallmarks of our business.
James Brendel
Commercial Account Executive
Commercial account executive Jim Brendel first joined O’Kane & Tegay in 1993. Jim came to the company with a strong background in insurance, having been owner and operator of his own company, Brendel Insurance Services, Inc., in Mohall, North Dakota for 10 years. Prior to that, he was a representative at First Bank Insurance in Minot, North Dakota.
Jim oversees the day-to-day management of existing accounts as well as creation of new business. His driving concern is to inspire his team to provide the best possible insurance products to local families, individuals and businesses.
Jim oversees the day-to-day management of existing accounts as well as creation of new business. His driving concern is to inspire his team to provide the best possible insurance products to local families, individuals and businesses.
Natalie Swift O’Kane
Planned Unit Development Specialist
Natalie Swift O’Kane first joined O’Kane & Tegay in 2000.
Natalie is in charge of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Department, where she handles new accounts and manages renewals of existing accounts. This entails duties such as assessing limits on policies to ensure adequate property coverage, shopping for coverage among various carriers, quoting renewal rates to clients, binding coverage with carriers, sending renewal policies and documents to clients.
She also provides insurance estimates for the city’s Department of Real Estate Budgets for new planned communities.
Natalie earned her BA degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She loves animals—particularly pugs—and enjoys travel and sampling new cuisines.
Michael Poggetti
Office Operations Manager/Commercial Lines Account Producer/Manager
Mike Poggetti has been with O’Kane & Tegay since 2006. As office operations manager and commercial lines account producer/manager, he works to build client relationships and ensure superior customer service.
Mike also develops new strategies that will help us better meet our customers’ risk-management needs.
He earned his BA degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, hiking, swimming and studying nutrition.
Bernadette Wildgans
Personal Lines Customer Service Representative
An insurance veteran, Bernadette Wildgans has been with O’Kane & Tegay Company since 1984, and has worked in the insurance field since 1979.
Bernadette daily oversees and manages our clients’ personal insurance lines accounts. She is dedicated to fulfilling clients’ risk-management needs by providing the personal insurance policies that serve them best.
When she’s not working, Bernadette enjoys cooking, cheering on local sport teams, and spending time with family.
Thomas O’Kane
Partner
Tom O’Kane is senior partner of O’Kane & Tegay. He has worked in the firm since 1977, when he began as an insurance broker.
Tom’s daily responsibilities include overseeing every aspect of the firm’s operations, including finance, operations, new business, human resources and public relations.
Tom studied at the Community College of San Francisco and San Jose State University. When he’s not leading the firm, he enjoys golfing at Twain Harte and spending time with his grandkids.
Paras Ram
Accountant
Paras Ram has been part of O’Kane & Tegay since 2008, and has been in the insurance field since 1987.
Paras handles the firm’s payroll, banking and cash flow, and maintains employee files for Human Resources. He also handles premium financing for clients. He is a licensed insurance broker and real estate agent, as well as a certified tax preparer and accountant.
Paras attended San Mateo College. He enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and playing sports.
Joanna Wong
Planned Unit Development Customer Service Representative
Joanna Wong began at O’Kane & Tegay in 2013. She is a planned unit development customer service representative in the Commercial Property PUD Unit, where she began as an administrative assistant.
Joanna previously spent four years as a State Farm Insurance agent. She has also worked as a social worker at Chinatown Community Children’s Center, and as a family counselor, case manager, career counselor and career job developer.
Joanna earned her BS degree in International Business from San Francisco State University. She has been a committee member of the Asian Perinatal Advocate Fundraising Walkathon Event, has studied dance and kung fu, and has been a summer youth counselor and afterschool program tutor.
Melissa Mullins
Claims Consultant and Manager
Claims consultant and manager Melissa Mullins joined O’Kane & Tegay in 2010. An insurance veteran, she has worked in the field since 1990 for such companies as CNA Insurance and Liberty Mutual Insurance, with a strength in General Liability and Construction Defect.
Melissa spends her day advocating for clients and acting as a liaison with their insurance carriers. She proactively manages the claims process, monitoring online claims and submitting regular reviews. She has handled multi-jurisdictional property and casualty claims since 1990.
Melissa is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California. She enjoys actively supporting her daughters in sports and other activities. She also enjoys hiking the trails in Pacifica and walking on the beach with her friends, family, and golden retriever, Shasta.
Phill O’Kane
Commercial Insurance Broker
Commercial insurance broker Phill O’Kane first came to his family’s firm in 2003. He has worked in the insurance field since 2001, beginning as a commercial insurance lines coverage specialist.
His daily responsibilities are to broker commercial property and casualty coverage for clients. Phill’s previous work experience was in the hospitality industry.
Phill holds a BA degree in hospitality management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Alison Valentine
Customer Service Associate
Alison Valentine joined O’Kane & Tegay in early 2013 as a commercial lines customer service representative. She began her career in insurance in 1998 as an auto insurance claims field inspector for AAA Insurance. She then worked for Esurance as an auto insurance claims adjuster.
Alison manages commercial lines accounts by updating account information, adding coverages, and updating applications.
When she’s not working, Alison enjoys cooking and spending time with family.
