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Meet our Personal Lines Team

Bill Joyce, Sr.

Bill Joyce, Sr.

Vice President

Bill Joyce, Sr. is responsible for overseeing all personal lines insurance operations and company-to-agency relations. Bill is active in the local community, including serving on the boards of the Fidelity Bank in Dunmore, Avoca Basketball League in Avoca, Broadway Theatre League of NEPA in Scranton, Catholic Social Services in Wilkes-Barre, Miles for Michael Foundation in Pittston, St. John’s Care and Concern Clinic in Pittston, and Pennsylvania Lawyer’s Fund for Client Security in Harrisburg.

Bill is a graduate of Seton Catholic High School, Pittston, PA, and the Culinary Institute of America, NY, where he earned an associate degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. In 1993, Bill became licensed in Property and Casualty, Life, Accident, and Health insurance and joined Joyce Insurance Group. He resides in Avoca, PA with his wife, the former Janet McCarthy. They have two sons, Bill Jr., and Jack.

Email:wjoyce@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-654-5220

Lynn Berkhimer

Lynn Berkhimer

Personal Lines Manager

Lynn has been working in the insurance industry for over 25 years.  Having joined the Joyce Insurance Group in 1998, Lynn has worked closely with VIP clients.  In 2017, Lynn was promoted to Co-Manager of the Personal Lines Department. Lynn is responsible for the production of the Personal Lines team, as well as managing relationships with our insurance company partners. Lynn manages sales reporting, helps implement procedures and provides information to all of her fellow team members. She enjoys being the mother of three handsome boys (who are all active in sports), the outdoors, playing golf, exercising and activities with her children. Lynn resides in Falls Township, PA with her husband Chad and family.

Email:lberkhimer@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-654-7208

Shane Ostroski

Shane Ostroski

Personal Lines Manager

Shane joined Joyce Insurance in 2008 and worked as a personal lines intern during his college career. He acquired his Property and Casualty license in 2012. Shane graduated from Marywood University in Scranton, PA with a degree in Communications. Shane was promoted in 2017 to Co-Manager of the Personal Lines Department and is responsible for the personal lines production and training of 14 staff members in 5 locations. Shane also serves as a board member for Miles for Michael, a local cancer charity. He currently resides in Pittston, PA.

Email:sostroski@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-654-7204

Michele Avvisato

Michele Avvisato

Account Manager

Michele is an experienced Licensed Property and Casualty Agent. She has been working in the insurance industry for 40 years. Michele has worked for Joyce Insurance Group for 38 years, producing new business and servicing her valued clients. Michele was also the first female mayor of her hometown, Old Forge, PA.

Email:mavvisato@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:(570) 654-5233

Rich Simoncavage

Rich Simoncavage

Account Manager

Rich Simoncavage is a Licensed Personal Risk Manager with Joyce Insurance Group. He has been in the insurance business since 1985, in the Nanticoke area. With the acquisition of the Insurance Management Agency in 2001, Rich became a member in the New Business Department, writing Personal Lines Business. Having lived in Nanticoke his entire life, he is well versed on the needs of our Nanticoke clients. Rich resides with his wife of 34 years, Charlene. He is the proud parent of two children, Lindsay, who lives in Australia and son Matt, who lives at home.

Email:rsimoncavage@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:(570) 735-7821 x179

Peggy Evanitsky

Peggy Evanitsky

Account Manager

Peggy Evanitsky brings 15+ years of insurance experience to Joyce Insurance Group. She joined the agency in 2007. Her duties as a Personal Risk Manager include servicing our valued clients and providing the best service and coverage possible. Prior to residing in Old Forge, she lived in Scranton for many years. Peggy enjoys spending time with her three children Michelle, T.J., and Mark, and her four grandchildren Rui, William, Molly Ann, and Anthony.

Email:pevanitsky@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:(570) 562-3720 x172

Rachael Saunders

Rachael Saunders

Account Manager

Rachael joined the agency in January 2019, bringing with her 20 years of insurance industry experience. She enjoys providing exceptional service and ensuring all clients receive proper coverage. Rachael holds Property and Casualty, Life and Health Insurance licenses in the state of Pennsylvania.

Rachael resides in West Pittston with her husband, 4 children, and their dog. As an avid New York Yankee fan, she likes cheering on her beloved “Bronx Bombers”.

Email::rsaunders@joyceinsurance.com

Phone::570-602-3195

Jennifer Hadley

Jennifer Hadley

Account Manager

Jennifer joined the Joyce Insurance Group as a Licensed Personal Risk Manager in November 2021. She graduated from the University of Scranton with a joint degree in Political Science and History in 2016 and began working in the insurance industry in 2018 as an Agent Team Member with the Lory Kaska State Farm Agency in West Pittston, PA. When Jennifer is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading a good book. Jennifer resides in Pittston, PA – where she was born and raised.

Email:jhadley@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-602-3191

Karen Yackanicz

Karen Yackanicz

Account Manager

Karen Yackanicz is a Licensed Personal Risk Manager, servicing all types of personal insurance. Karen started her career in insurance while she was in high school, and then she completed several college courses. Karen’s insurance career spanned several agencies. With the acquisition of the Pachence Agency in 1995, Karen became a member of the Joyce Insurance Group. Karen enjoys boating and camping in the summer at Thousand Island in NY. Karen currently resides in Beaver Meadows, PA with family and dog Missy.

Email:kyackanicz@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-655-4738

Mike Bendas

Mike Bendas

Account Manager

Mike graduated from Rider University with a degree in Business and Finance. He served 20 months in the U.S. Army as a combat medic and shortly after began working for the City of Allentown as an Accountant. Mike has a property and casualty insurance license, along with 30 plus years in the insurance industry. Before working for Joyce Insurance Group, Mike was an agent for John Hancock and Atlantic Insurance Agency. He is married to his wife Donna and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.

Email:mbendas@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-299-3727

Maria Fabbo

Maria Fabbo

Assistant Account Manager

Maria has been in the insurance industry for 53 years. She is the first face you see when you walk into our Old Forge office and handles the everyday clerical, billing, and service. Maria is a lifelong resident of Old Forge and is very familiar with all of our Old Forge clients.

Email:mfabbo@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:(570) 562-3720 x171

Rose Perkowski

Rose Perkowski

Assistant Account Manager

Rose Perkowski has been working in insurance since 1982. With the acquisition of the Insurance Management Agency in Nanticoke in 2001, Rose took on the job of a dedicated Service Processor. She handles endorsements, renewals, and solving problems. She resides in Wapwallopen and is the proud mother of two daughters and a proud grandmother to one grandson.

Email:rperkowski@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:(570) 735-7821 x180

Marie Rodriguez

Marie Rodriguez

Assistant Account Manager

Marie graduated from The Institute of Business and Technology with a degree in business. She worked for All-State and Atlantic Insurance Agency as a customer service representative and has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Marie speaks fluent Spanish and is very personable. She currently resides in Allentown with her husband and three daughters.

Email:mrodriguez@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-602-3181

Patrick J. Ratchford

Patrick J. Ratchford

Personal Lines Agent

Pat is a graduate of Pittston Area High School, Yatesville, PA, and Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance, and was also a member of the football team. In 1973, he began his career in the insurance business as a life, property and casualty, and registered representative, where he won numerous sales awards, and was a member of Prudential’s Leader Roundtable, retiring in 2002. He has been an insurance agent with Joyce Insurance since 2002. Pat is a member of Queen of the Apostles Church in Avoca, a former president of Duryea Teeners Baseball, Hughestown Flag Football, as well as a long time volunteer coach of football, baseball, and basketball. Pat was honored with a testimonial in 2008 for his years of service to local youth sports. Pat is married to the former Maudeen Algar, has four children, Maudeen, Patrick, Douglas, and Gregory. He also has six grandchildren and resides in Duryea.Anchor

Email:pratchford@joyceinsurance.com

Phone:570-603-7817