Ken Hager began his insurance career more than 30 years ago at JGS Insurance. Ken’s current role as Chief Operating Officer at JGS began in 1997. Since that time he has been a guiding force in the direction and success of the JGS enterprise.

Throughout the years, Ken has remained engaged with his customers and intently focused on their needs. He intently understands the risks associated with his clients operations and has been uniquely able to offer them superior solutions to their business needs.

Ken lives with his wife in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

What do you enjoy about the work you do?
Getting to learn about a lot of different industries, how they operate, what their challenges are and what they do. Designing different insurance programs to handle a specific need in a simpler process than what others may be using is a daily challenge that keeps me engaged.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Many people would be surprised to know I love boating and fishing with a passion (and many wouldn't). I also read about a book a month from various authors.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Up until my thirties I used to be a fairly good magician. I would spend hours every week practicing and many times would bring a tackle box of tricks with me to perform.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Firefighter, and now I fight different types of fires.

Vinnie Hager joined JGS Insurance in 1989 after graduating from Villanova University's School of Business with a degree in Finance. As President he has overseen the growth of JGS from a small family agency to being recognized by Insurance Journal's Top 100 Property/Casualty Agencies in the US.

Vinnie is active in the community. He currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Bayshore Medical Center, Executive Vice President of the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America and is a member of CAI NJ's Legislative Action Committee. He is a Past President of CAI NJ, Past President of Monmouth County Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of NJ, Past Chair of CAI National's Insurance & Risk Management Committee as well as Past Board Member of the Holmdel Theatre Company.

Vinnie lives with his wife and three children in Colts Neck, New Jersey.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
I love our new work space at Bell Works. As a company we have embraced the culture here at the Metroburb and as a result have become more interactive.

If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be
Director of Change. If we don't change and adopt to what's happening around us, we will get left behind.

What's one accomplishment you're most proud of?
Growing the company from 15 employees when my brother and I took over to over 85 employees in offices in NJ, FL & CT.

Any other interesting fact about you?
You could say I am a wine lover. Also a licensed charter boat captain.

Jim started in the insurance industry more than 40 years ago and worked on the Company side of the business until making the move to the Agency side by joining JGS in 2004. Jim is currently the Director of Operations overseeing all aspects of the agency. By working for various insurance companies, Jim can bring a balanced perspective to the agency staff, which has grown from 34 when he started to 80 today.

Outside of JGS, Jim is active in his community by being a member of the Borough Planning Board as well as his parish Finance Committee.

What do you enjoy about the work you do?
Overseeing all operations, it gets me involved in all aspects of the agency – there’s always something different to work on.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Spending time with my growing family – at the beach when possible.

What would Spotify say is your most-played track?
4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

Carmen Suarez has been in the insurance industry for 40 years. Having held various titles throughout the years, Carmen finds working as Executive Vice President of Program Business for JGS Insurance for the past 17 years to be the most fulfilling of her career.

As EVP of Program Business for Preferred Property Program aka PPP (a subsidiary of JGS Insurance), Carmen finds overseeing the day to day operations of the programs, sharing her insurance knowledge with new generations of professionals and leading a great team extremely rewarding.

Funny thing, ever since watching the movie “Working Girl” back in the late 80’s, Carmen was inspired by Melanie Griffith’s character; and once she too obtained that corner office, she hasn’t stopped giving it her all. Having come from humble beginnings Carmen is extremely proud of her accomplishments; but none more than being the mother of 2 (a son who joined the insurance industry; and a daughter who became a doctor).

When not at work, Carmen enjoys cooking, traveling and most importantly spending time with family.

What do you enjoy about the work you do?
The ability to be creative while teaching others to be creative too.

What's one accomplishment you're most proud of?
Achieving so much with so little.

Any other interesting fact about you?
I would love to try acting professionally.

Wayne Dow joined JGS Insurance in 2018 as Vice President of Programs, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the legal/insurance profession. He began his career in the private practice of law in Boston, MA before moving to CT and holding positions as Claim Counsel and Underwriting and Program Manager for Executive Risk Insurance and Travelers Bond respectively. He is a subject matter expert with respect to Community Association Directors and Officers Liability and Fidelity/Crime Coverages and specializes in Product Development and Program Management.

Wayne lives in Niantic, CT with his two daughters and his Golden Retriever.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
This is by far the most progressive, forward thinking organization I’ve ever been a part of. The ability to be creative and proactive is incredibly inspiring.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Chasing blue skies on the water.

Any other interesting fact about you?
People might be surprised to learn I make my own wine. I choose my grapes, crush and ferment them and then press, age and bottle approximately 50-75 gallons each year.

Scott Peterman has been in the insurance industry for 20 years. Starting out in underwriting he found his way to JGS Insurance where he has now been for over 17 years. As Assistant Vice President of Program Business for Preferred Property, Scott finds himself teaching, learning and finding solutions to problems.

Like many, Scott did not intend on joining the Insurance industry. He started out as a temp on a special project for an insurance company. Once the project was completed, he was asked to stay and work full time in the Underwriting department. Initially he refused, but after being asked several times he eventually accepted. He remained at that company until it closed, leading him to find his way to JGS Insurance.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a baseball player. I was really good, or so I thought anyway. I am a righty but taught myself to hit lefty. I even started to throw lefty fairly well. I should have played in school but decided to work instead.

Any other interesting facts about you?
It has been a while but I wrote a lot of poems. Probably 600 or so. Actually, they were intended to be songs. I do not know how to play any instuments. I tried to teach myself how to play keyboards so I could write the music to these words but could never do it. I entered a few of them in contests, but I never won. I did succeed at getting some of them published.

What would Spotify say is your most-played track?
Behind Blue Eyes by The Who. I do not have blue eyes, but The Who is my favorite band. The Beatles are 2nd and AC/DC is 3rd. There are a lot of bands after that. The 60’s and 70’s rock music is my favorite.

Mark began his insurance industry as an Independent Agent and Underwriter in 1980 and joined JGS insurance/Preferred Property Program in 2012. Mark started in the business with his father who was also an insurance broker and had his own agency. His experience in the industry provides him with knowledge and understanding of our products and client’s needs. He holds both a P&C and Life Licenses as well as a CISR designation.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
Our technology, training and teamwork within our company is among the best in the insurance industry.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Fishing, hiking and cooking

Any other interesting fact about you?
I’ve had my 15 min. of fame in the movies.

Jessica is the senior underwriter for Preferred Property Program’s umbrella program. Jessica has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and joined PPP in 2006. Jessica holds a CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation and is licensed in Property & Casualty. Her current focus is underwriting Umbrella, Environmental and Equipment Breakdown risks. Jessica also has experience in underwriting for our Property & Liability Package Program for Community Associations.

What do you enjoy about the work you do?
I love underwriting and evaluating risks to determine if they fit our guidelines. I enjoy speaking with my brokers on a daily basis and helping them with their questions or requests. I also love helping my fellow co-workers whether its training the new ones or answering underwriting questions for those who’ve been here for a long time. I really love what I do and the people I work with.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
It truly feels like you are working with family and friends and doesn’t feel like it’s a job. I’m very blessed to work with such a great company. JGS is my second home.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Spending time with family, friends and my fur babies Shibby and Faith.