Keith Captain is President of MarshBerry Networks. Under Keith’s leadership, FirstChoice has become one of the fastest growing networks in the country. Recognized as the #1 Agency Partner by Insurance Journal, FirstChoice has established agency relationships spanning 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Keith brings his experience as a leader in the insurance industry where he builds strong and effective relationships with agents, Carriers, and Strategic Partners . He’s committed to helping agencies increase revenue through education, strategic planning, and leveraging technology.

Phil Trem brings deep expertise in merger & acquisition (M&A) advisory, strategic consulting, and operational leadership. He is a trusted partner to buyers and sellers who rely on his proficiency in deal negotiation, due diligence, execution, and integration. Phil has led engagements across the full life cycle of M&A for independently owned insurance agents and brokers, specialty distributors, wealth and retirement advisors, private equity firms, banks and credit unions, and insurance carriers. His focus is simple: deliver a seamless, comprehensive experience that drives long-term value for clients.

Jen McKay joined MarshBerry in 2019 and currently serves as a Vice President on the investment banking and consulting team. Her primary responsibilities include managing sell side transactions, equity and debt capital raises, due diligence projects, valuation engagements, and strategic planning facilitation. During her tenure at MarshBerry, she has advised on several large insurance brokerage transactions on both the buy and sell side. Jen is also a valuable contributor to MarshBerry’s external publications and has spoken at various industry events.

Senior Vice President Scott Kegler, a valued MarshBerry Business Development team member, relies on strategic vision, deep market insight, and innovative thinking to drive growth and expansion for independent insurance agency and brokerage owners looking to realize the total value of their firm.

Scott’s initial foray into the insurance industry began with The Graham Company in Philadelphia, PA. He has over twenty years of insurance brokerage production experience with national firms such as Aon and Lockton, further strengthening his ability to identify and capitalize on new opportunities in the complex investment banking landscape.

Heath Shearon brings a combination of firsthand experience and industry-wide perspective to his role as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at FirstChoice, a MarshBerry company. A second-generation insurance professional, Heath has worked across every facet of the industry, from agency owner and 
carrier representative to agency consultant and Insurtech content strategist.

In his current role, Heath leads strategic partnership efforts to drive growth, revenue, and market presence for independent agencies while cultivating relationships with insurtech companies, marketing and media partners, education and workforce development organizations, industry associations, 
and other strategic collaborators to create long-term value and industry impact.

Brooke Liu’s exceptional client service, leadership, and laser-like focus on results have contributed to her many successes since she joined MarshBerry in 2016. In her current role as Senior Vice President, Brooke’s collaborative guidance and industry expertise are essential for overseeing the company’s many growth assets.

Brooke’s operational expertise, product development experience, and servant leadership style are instrumental in helping MarshBerry clients achieve their growth goals through the invaluable MarshBerry programs such as Connect executive peer exchange.

Diane is a lifelong advocate of the independent agency system helping agency owners realize their true potential and value through strategic planning and coaching.

As Vice President of Education & Strategic Planning for FirstChoice, a MarshBerry Company, Diane is committed to helping members build strategic plans for their agencies and set goals for future growth. She believes setting effective plans is life altering relative to experience and value and loves helping agency owners get clarity around what goals they want to achieve. Diane is skilled in helping agency owners work on the business and believes every interaction with agency owners and staff should be focused around increasing agency value.

Kelly Schlather has been working in the health and wellness field as an exercise physiologist for more than fifteen years, including clinical settings for cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular rehabilitation and bariatric counseling, as well as preventive settings for corporate wellness coaching, wellness education, and biometric screening. She is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, an ACSM Exercise is Medicine Credentialed professional, and an American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking Facilitator.

Clare Dougherty has worked at the intersection of public policy, communications, and mission-driven leadership for the last 25 years, focusing on the health and well-being of women and children. In her role as CEO, Clare oversees all facets of Brem Foundation, working to advance early detection of breast cancer through strategic education, access programs and advocacy - fighting for every woman to receive the services she deserves, regardless of her ability to pay.

JJ Johnson is Chief Operating Officer of Sizemore Insurance, a 50-person independent agency on the North Carolina coast. He helps lead growth strategy, sales, operations, and technology while also managing the agency’s largest book of business.

Over the past two years, JJ has focused on putting AI directly into the agency’s daily operations. That work includes Sizemore University, an 18-course internal training platform; an agency performance dashboard that gives leadership live visibility into production and service; and AI agents that support quoting, reporting, and renewal preparation. His approach is practical: remove friction, measure what changes, and keep relationships at the center of the business.

Jeff Pireu is CEO and Co-Founder of Scioto Insurance Group and a 30-year insurance industry veteran. His career spans claims, sales, agency distribution, leadership development, strategic partnerships, and independent agency growth.

Jeff previously spent more than 25 years with Nationwide, leading regional property and casualty operations and sales teams focused on profitable growth, agency engagement, and distribution performance. Most recently, he held leadership roles with FirstChoice, a MarshBerry Company, building strategic partnerships and supporting agency growth.

At Scioto Insurance Group, Jeff combines his carrier and network experience to build a family-owned agency with his daughter, Natalie. Known for his servant-leadership style, he focuses on building authentic relationships and driving results—while keeping the work fun along the way. Jeff is based in New Albany, Ohio, and is a husband, father of two, lifelong learner, and excited soon-to-be grandfather.

Josh Strange serves as Vice President and COO of Gerber Insurance Agency, a third-generation independent insurance agency based in Ohio. He leads the agency's operational strategy, technology initiatives, and business operations, with a particular focus on the intersection of people, process, and technology. 

Josh has helped lead Gerber's adoption of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital workflows, building practical solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and the employee and client experience. He also contributes an independent agency perspective to carrier technology and advisory initiatives focused on AI, automation, digital transformation, and the future of insurance distribution.