Meet Our Team

John Johnson
President & CEO
John joined the agency as a Commercial Producer in 1985, when McDermott Costa acquired Matchless Agency. He became Vice-President of Sales in 1992, and later, President, in 1996. Prior to joining McDermott Costa, he served in various capacities at Transamerica Insurance, Vanguard Insurance, and the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau.

Mike McDermott
Vice President
Mike is a third generation McDermott, with 23+ years of experience in the Commercial Lines Insurance brokerage industry. He specializes in food related industries, including QSR Restaurants, Food Processors, and Manufacturers. Mike handles national workers’ compensation accounts, and works closely with large complex accounts, including Alternative Risk Financing through Group Captive Programs.

Rich Suess
Vice President & Employee Benefits
Rich has been in the insurance industry since 1980, specializing in Employee Benefits, Group Medical, Dental, Life, Vision & LTD. Originally from Saddle Brook, New Jersey, Rich currently lives with his wife of 40 years, Yolanda, in the San Jose area. They have 2 sons, Ricky and Cory, and 4 grandchildren, Kennedy, Kayden, Colt, and Kinzley. Outside of work, he loves playing the guitar and spending time with his family.

Mike Sidore
Vice President, Business Development
Mike joined McDermott Costa in 2022, with 20 years of industry experience, including SVP of Business Development for CannGen Insurance Services, 10 years as Sr. Director with Allianz (AGCS), and various leadership roles with Allied and Safeco. Mike lives in Oakland with his wife Jesset and son Austin. On weekends in the winter, you can find Mike on the slopes in Tahoe, where he enjoys coaching alpine ski racers for the Sugar Bowl Ski Team.

Ashani Dass
Controller
Ashani has been with McDermott Costa for over 20 years. She joined McDermott Costa as a Clerical Assistant, then moved her way to Accounting Assistant, and later accepted the Controller position, in 2006. She is past President of Bay Fair Toastmasters and now holds the Treasurer position. When she is not at work, she enjoys raising her son with her husband.

Gina Diego
Commercial Lines Manager & Producer
Gina joined McDermott Costa in 1985 as a clerical assistant. She has grown within the agency and has worked all departments within the office. She became the Commercial Lines Manager in 2005. She writes all lines of insurance, but her specialty is Daycare, Private School and Non-Profits. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her 6 grandbabies and her 2 Chihuahuas, Bruiser and Buddy.

Luis Zambrana
Producer, Commercial/Personal Lines
Luis joined the agency as a Personal & Commercial Lines Producer in February of 2019. Prior to joining McDermott Costa, he was a Personal & Commercial Lines Account Manager for Stratton Agency in Redwood City. He obtained his Property & Casualty License in 2000 and his Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation in 2015. Luis is originally from Nicaragua, is fluent in Spanish, and has lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years.

Rosemary Pestana
Bonds Specialist
Rosemary joined the agency as a Personal Lines Customer Service Representative in July 1970. She joined the Commercial Department, again, as a Customer Service Representative in January 1972. She became a Notary Public in 1974, and an Insurance Broker in 1975. She purchased a small agency in 1976, which she incorporated into McDermott Costa. Rosemary is now the Bond Specialist.

Robert W. Cook III, CIC
Broker / Producer
Rob formed his agency, Cook Insurance Services, with his father, Bob Cook, in 1984. Rob worked in various capacities at Cooper & Cook Insurance from 1978 to 1984.
Rob received his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1991. Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of the Hayward, as well as Southern Alameda County.
Past President of the Rotary Club of Hayward, CA and the Hayward Rotary Foundation. Current member of Portola Rotary Club in Clio, CA

Gina Endrina
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Gina joined McDermottCosta in 2021 as an Account Manager in Commercial Lines. She started in the industry in 2001, as the receptionist for an Insurance Broker in Oakland, CA. She was promoted to a Customer Service Representative in the Benefits department and then as an Account Manager for Commercial accounts. When Gina is not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and you can almost always find her at the ocean, on a riverbank, or at a lake.

Lily Young
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Lily rejoined McDermott Costa in 2020 after working at another insurance agency. She specializes in the Restaurant and Life Science Industry. Lily has a BA degree in Business Management and holds a CIC as well as a CISR designation. She has over 18 years of experience in the industry.

Amy Gamble
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Amy joined the agency as a Commercial Lines Account Manager in 2022, and has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years. She has served the industry from working on the premium financing side to the carrier and agency side and has played a key role in providing excellent customer service. She got into the industry due to being a single parent of 4 children and having to become their main provider. While not working, she considers her spiritual life to be the most important thing. She loves to sing, go for long walks with her dog, reading books and spending time with her family.

Shelly Crossley
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Shelly rejoined McDermott Costa in 2019 as a Commercial Lines Account Manager, after working at another agency for a number of years. She specializes in Commercial Real Estate, Non-Profits, Hospitality and Construction risks. She has over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry.

Maria Costa
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Maria joined McDermott Costa Co. in 2003 as a Commercial Lines Account Manager. In 2012, she earned her CISR designation. She has over 40 years of insurance experience. In her free time, Maria enjoys watching classic movies, reading, yoga, belly dance classes and spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Martin
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Jessica joined McDermott Costa in 2015 as a Commercial Lines Clerk. In 2016, she earned her Property & Casualty license. Once licensed she began her journey as a Small Business Commercial Lines Account Manager, specializing in Property & General Liability. She has over 5 years of insurance experience. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, being outdoors, watching Disney movies and spending time with family and friends.

Teela Neal
Manager, Commercial Lines Small Business
Teela joined the agency as a Commercial Lines Account Manager in 2014. She is a jack of all trades as she has handled and managed several desks in the agency, and worked with multiple producers and their clients, which has proven her to be a true team player. Prior to joining McDermott Costa, she worked at an insurance agency in Oakland for 8 years, where she started her insurance career as the backup Receptionist and Data Entry Clerk.

Beth Mallard
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Beth has over 40 years in the industry. She has worked various jobs through the years, mostly with Commercial Lines. Her favorite job is working with the clients and establishing a connection. Before joining McDermottCosta she was with an agency in Fremont for 24 years. During her free time she enjoys family, walking and watching movies.

Veronica Santos
Clerical Assistant, Commercial Lines
Veronica started in the insurance industry in 2006. She joined McDermott Costa in 2014 as the Receptionist, and later became Commercial Lines Clerk, in 2016. Prior to working in insurance, she held other positions, such as, CNA for many years, and a Teacher’s Aide for Oakland Public Schools. She loves plants, cooking, cleaning and spending time with all four of her furry babies.

Koren Pilkinton
Clerical Assistant, Commercial Lines
Koren works as a Commercial Lines Assistant. She has a B.S. in Kinesiology and a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Cal State University, Hayward. She has held various positions in Toastmasters. When she is not working she enjoys the great outdoors, traveling, skiing, camping and martial arts.

Cindy Rodriguez
Commercial Lines Assistant
Cindy joined McDermott Costa in 2023 as a Receptionist. Prior to joining the agency, she worked at an immigration nonprofit organization assisting underrepresented immigrants in CA. While not at work, she loves to spend time with her husband exploring cultures through different dishes from around the world.

Judi Martin
Personal Lines Manager
Judi has been in the insurance industry for over 13 years, and specializes in auto, home and umbrella insurance. She joined the agency as a Personal Lines Assistant in 2007. In 2012, she received her CISR designation. She later became Personal Lines Manager, in 2017. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her son and family.

Maeva Waipa
Account Manager, Personal Lines
Maeva has been in the insurance industry since 2003. She specializes in Personal Lines; Home, Auto, Renters, etc. She has her CISR designation as well. She also has 1 wonderful daughter with her husband.

Angie Law
Account Manager, Personal Lines
Angie got into insurance in 1996, where she started working part time as a file and data entry clerk. She received her Property & Casualty license in 1999 and became a Personal Line Account Manager. In 2014 she received her Life & Health license. In 2016, she joined McDermott Costa. She has one beautiful daughter with my better half.

Jesell Neal
Account Manager, Personal Lines
Jesell joined McDermott Costa in October 2016 as a Personal Lines Clerk. In April 2018 she received her Broker-Agent license, and in 2019 became a Personal Lines Account Manager. Prior to McDermott Costa, she was a Supervisor at UPS, for 7 years. Outside of work she enjoys roller skating, riding ATV’s, shooting pool, and hanging with friends & family.

Anna Neal
Clerical Assistant, Personal Lines
Anna joined the agency as the Receptionist in 2016. She later became the Personal Lines Assistant in 2018. Prior to joining McDermott Costa, she served in various capacities as a UPS Driver and a Certified Medical Assistant. Outside of work she enjoys being a mother and spending time with her family.

Orlando Soto
Employee Benefits Producer
Originally from Puerto Rico, but Orlando has lived overseas, as well as other areas, due to having a military parent. He has been in the insurance industry for 7 years specializing in Life, Annuities, Dental, Vision, and Medicare. He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. Outside of work he enjoys time with his wife and two boys, traveling, and experiencing the outdoors. When they are at home, they enjoy hosting close friends. You can find him with an apron on at the grill. Who is coming over?

Tami Chan
Senior Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Tami joined McDermott Costa in 2016 and has been in the insurance industry for 35 years. As an Employee Benefits Account Manager and Notary Public, she specializes in Group and Individual Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, and Medicare. She is a San Francisco native and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Su Jung Choe
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Su joined McDermott Costa in 2023 as the Employee Benefits Account Coordinator. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/American Politics. She has 4+ years of experience working as an Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper for her family’s small business and is a San Leandro native. While not at work, she enjoys reading, having move marathons with friends and spending time with her family.

Peter Starck
Claims Manager
Peter has 10+ years in Commercial and Personal Lines Claims experience at several large insurance carriers. He has extensive experience in all aspects of homeowner, auto and commercial line claims. He is married with a child in middle school and is currently a Scout Leader and Little League Coach.

Jackie Tufo
Workers Compensation Claims Liaison
Jackie joined McDermott Costa in 2014. She has 30+ years’ experience in the Workers Compensation Industry. At McDermott Costa, she monitors all Workers Compensation claims, working closely with Workers Comp carriers, and their adjusters. She is a mom to 2 adult kids, and a grandma to 3 little active grandsons.

Mei Qui
Accounting Manager
Mei started with the insurance agency in 2006. She graduated from Cal State East Bay where she majored in Accounting and Financing. She has been a member of the San Leandro Bayfair Toastmaster’s for almost two years. Outside of work she likes to indulge in different cuisines and travel with friends.

Alanna Wilson
Accounting Assistant
Alanna joined the McDermott Costa family in 2021 as the Office Administrator and Receptionist. Prior to joining McDermott Costa, she worked as an Administrative and Accounting Assistant for a public works construction company. Her heart and joy are her daughter and son. Her head is in the clouds, but her feet are always on the ground. She takes pride in knowing random facts no one has interests in. Did you know that owls actually have really have long legs hidden under their plumage?

Tabitha Crutchfield
Business Operations Manager
Tabitha joined McDermott Costa in 2016, and has since served in various roles, including, but not limited to, Accounting, Clerical Support, and Business Operations. She got her Bachelors of Science degree in Finance, from San Francisco State, in 2014. While not at work, she enjoys personal shopping, making DIY clothing and furniture, and being outdoors.