Team Bios
David Solomon, Principal and Founder
David Solomon, principal, enjoyed a successful career in education prior to founding Amity Insurance in 1978. A former Department Head in the Brockton Public Schools whose resume also includes two teaching fellowships at Boston College, he holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Boston College, and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Boston State College.
David’s industry experience also includes serving as a consultant to Xerox Corporation; and, in the public sector, he served on the Finance Committee for the Town of Hull, MA. Under his leadership, Amity Insurance expanded from a storefront location on Hancock Street to spacious headquarters at Quincy’s upscale Marina Bay and transitioned from a local to national firm, licensed to provide insurance in many states.
He is active in a number of community events and activities, serving as Chairman of the Board of Devon Wood Condominium Trust and is the Past President of Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham.
David’s entrepreneurial spirit has been passed along to the next generation in the Solomon family; daughters, Heidi, who lives in California and Jodi-Lynn, who lives and works in Israel, are entrepreneurs/consultants with their own businesses.
David and his wife Bonney live in Braintree.
Roy Solomon, Principal
Roy Solomon, principal, is responsible for the day-to-day operations at Amity Insurance and plays a key role in the firm’s strategic growth, including acquisitions and business development. Prior to joining Amity Insurance in 1996, he was engaged in a number of entrepreneurial pursuits, helping to build and develop businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors. Included among the list of achievements is the success and growth of Amity from a local agency to one that is now nationally recognized by Inc Magazine and by The Boston Business Journal.
Roy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Springfield College. He and his wife Bonnie reside in Charlestown; they are parents of two children and grandparents of four. In his spare time, Roy enjoys weekend boating with his grandchildren, and also enjoys the chance to travel.
Peter Bayh
Peter Bayh, Insurance Producer, is responsible for the sale and retention of habitational business.
Licensed in property & casualty insurance for admitted and surplus lines carriers in several states, Peter proudly names Amity Insurance as his “sole insurance employer.”
Peter is an active volunteer, providing support to several rehabilitation programs in Massachusetts. The father of twins, Peter makes his home in Brockton; he enjoys time spent at the beach and teaching his son, Zachary and daughter, Megan how to snorkel.
Fallon McDonald
Fallon McDonald, Customer Service Representative/Account Manager, is responsible for day-to-day account activities.
A graduate of UMass-Boston with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Management, Fallon joined Amity Insurance fresh out of college. She is licensed in property & casualty insurance and is presently studying toward her Certified Insurance Counselor designation.
Fallon lives in Rockland and is an active volunteer with the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.
Robin Morse
Robin Morse, a Commercial Lines Account Manager, maintains and coordinates accounts for the firm’s Habitational program, including apartments, condominium complexes and affordable housing.
Robin has been employed in the insurance industry for 27 years and maintains a property & casualty license in the state of Massachusetts.
A graduate of Mitchell College and New Mexico State University, Robin holds a Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.
Robin is an inductee of the Weymouth High School Athletic Hall of Fame and presently sits on its selection committee. She volunteers as a boy’s travel basketball coach for the town of Weymouth, where she resides with husband Michael and daughter Rylee. She is also a member of the United States Tennis Association Team/Weymouth Club.
Ray Fillis
Ray Fillis, Customer Service Representative for lawyer’s professional liability insurance, is responsible for the submission and process of renewal application and quotes to carriers and attorneys.
Ray’s industry experience prior to joining Amity includes tenure at Arbella Insurance.
A resident of Whitman, MA, Ray makes his home with his wife Denise and their son Nathan.
Patricia Bacon
Patricia Bacon, Vice President of Amity’s Benefits Services Division, provides insurance consultative guidance for all varieties of employee benefits.
Patricia, who studied Business Administration at Quincy Junior College, has many years of experience in the insurance industry with an emphasis on employee benefits.
In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding and travel.
Dan Sheehy
Dan Sheehy, Senior Vice President of Amity’s Benefits Services Division, leads a team of specialists in the insurance, broker and employee benefits industries.
Dan’s vast experience in the insurance and brokerage industry is well recognized.
A graduate of Colby College with a degree in Business and Economics, Dan is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Cohasset Golf Club and volunteers as a member of the Finance Committee for a local church group.
He makes his home in Cohasset, where in his spare time he enjoys golf and sailing.
Justin Kesner
Justin Kesner, an Account Manager, has a specialty in Professional Liability.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from The University of Arizona in Tucson. While a college student, he was an active volunteer with a number of projects, including the Ronald McDonald House.
A resident of Canton, MA, Justin is proud to make mention of his parents – his father Mark Kesner, CPA is the managing partner of Kesner, Godes & Morrissey and his mother is an RN at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA.
Charlie Bryant
Charlie Bryant, Senior Account Executive, brings 15 years of insurance industry experience to his post as a key producer of new accounts and manager of existing accounts. His extensive background includes 11 years in the field of malpractice insurance.
A licensed insurance broker, Charlie is also a legal malpractice insurance specialist.
Charlie, who makes his home with his wife Tammy Jean, sons Camen Jeffrey, Ethan Richard and daughter Emma Jean, volunteers as an Assistant Pee Wee Hockey Coach and an Assistant Pack Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, camping and archery.
Bob Abraham
Bob Abraham, a Commercial Account Manager, is highly regarded for his 35 years of industry experience.
A Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Bob has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University.
He is the past President of the Quincy, MA Kiwanis Club; Bob makes his home in Plymouth where in his spare time he enjoys golf, travel and reading. He is the married father of two adult sons.
Jeannette Lanza
Jeannette Lanza, an Account Executive with a specialty in Property & Casualty has 17 years of industry experience.
A member of the MRA, Jeannette makes her home in Kingston, MA with her husband and twin daughters. In her spare time she enjoys working out.
Janna Joyce
Janna Joyce, a Commercial Sales Executive, is responsible for sales across all business lines, including general liability, property, professional liability, products liability, workers compensation, auto and bonds. Her concentration is in technology, human services, manufacturing, real estate, and varied professional services.
Janna, who is licensed in property & casualty and life, and accident & health has five years of experience as a Commercial Sales Producer and has also worked as an Independent Sales Agent. Her career background includes more than 15 years in technology related posts, including software quality assurance.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Bryant College (now Bryant University) and an MBA from Bentley College, with a concentration in Computer Information Systems.
A resident of Canton, Janna enjoys cycling and tennis in her spare time and is a spinning instructor.
Paul Shanley
Paul Shanley, Director of Professional Liability, has more than thirty years of experience in all phases of public pension plans and is responsible for the coordination and placement of the Fiduciary and Fidelity insurance coverage for the majority of public pension systems in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, Paul provides Fiduciary and Fidelity coverage individually for the Boston, MBTA, Middlesex County, Cambridge, Brockton and Chelsea retirement Systems.
Paul is the former Deputy State Treasurer/General Counsel for Massachusetts; as such he represented the State Retirement Board in hundreds of administrative appeals, and numerous Superior Court cases including two where he presented to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He also served as the State Treasurer’s designee as Chairman of the State Retirement Board and served on the transition team that implemented the prudent man rule for the investment program of the State and Teachers Retirement Systems – now known as the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board (PRIM).
He received both his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees from Boston State College and his juris doctor from Suffolk Law School.
Paul is a Trustee of the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board and volunteers with his church. He has twice traveled to Haiti to perform volunteer efforts with the St. Boniface Foundation.
A resident of Everett, MA, Paul and his wife Gail have three grown children and several grandsons.
Lisa Sobolewski
Lisa Sobolewski, Account Manager, is responsible for servicing new and renewal commercial accounts, identifying potential markets, and negotiating terms and conditions with underwriters.
With more than 15 years within the insurance industry, Lisa has experience as a Commercial Lines Account Manager, Marketing Representative, Commercial Lines Manager and Underwriting Assistant.
Lisa maintains her Property & Casualty license and is designated as an Accredited Customer Service Representative, an Associate in Insurance Services and a Certified Professional Insurance Woman. She is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women.
Lisa makes her home in Riverside, RI with her husband and their three children.
Ken Abelson
Ken Abelson, Account Executive, is responsible for providing professional liability insurance to law firms throughout the country.
A former practicing attorney, Abelson is a graduate of Brown University and received his juris doctor from New England School of Law.
He and his wife make their home in Weymouth; they are proud parents and grandparents.
Eryn Njoroge
Eryn Njoroge, Customer Service Representative, is responsible for reviewing and issuing policies and endorsements, working within the Lawyer’s Professional Liability Department.
Eryn makes her home in Brockton with her husband Dan and their daughters Sophia and Anna. She is an active volunteer at her daughter’s school.
Frank Griffin
Frank Griffin, an Account Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day handling of risk management accounts.
With twenty years experience in the insurance industry, Frank maintains his Massachusetts Brokers License.
A resident of Weymouth, he is married and in his spare time enjoys golf, fishing and travel.
Sarah Duncan
Sarah Duncan, an Account Executive, is responsible for managing and servicing accounts.
She is a Certified Insurance Service Representative, a member of the National Association of Insurance Women and maintains a Massachusetts Broker’s License in Personal Lines.
Sarah is a lifetime resident of Hyde Park, where she makes her home with her husband and three children.
Kathy Gerstl
Kathy Gerstl, a Personal Lines Manager, is responsible for maintaining existing accounts and writing new business – always with the best customer service in mind.
Kathy maintains a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Producers License in Property & Casualty and has attended numerous courses throughout her lengthy career in the insurance industry. She is a Certified Insurance Service Representative.
A long-time resident of Hull, Kathy sits on a number of fundraising committees for several schools in her community. In her spare time, she enjoys Zumba exercise and activities with her daughter and granddaughter.
Mary License
Mary License, Amity’s receptionist, is responsible for a number of activities, including lines of communication, appointment scheduling and serving as the first friendly face clients meet as they come through the doors.
Prior to joining Amity, Mary worked in the retail industry.
Mary lives in Hingham with her husband Steven; the couple enjoys spending time with their nephews.
Gale Maxfield
Gale Maxfield, an Account Manager, maintains client account information and assists with the renewal and updating of policies.
She is licensed in Health and Life Insurance and is a Licensed Broker.
Gale makes her home in Quincy.
Richard Wellner
Richard Wellner, Vice President and Internal Consultant, is responsible for client risk management issues.
His lengthy career in the insurance industry includes past tenures as an Underwriter with The Travelers, a Wholesale Broker with Northeast Insurance, and Large Account Manager with Marsh & McLennan. He is the co-founder of the Boston office of the Willis Group, where he served as Vice President.
In addition, Richard is the former Vice President of Sales at AON in Boston, past President of Jardine Insurance Brokers in Boston and the former Vice President of Knight Insurance. He co-founded United International Brokers in Braintree; HRH in Boston; and Intercontinental Insurance Brokers.
Richard is a member of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, Chartered Life Underwriters and is an Associate in Risk Management. He also maintains membership in the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
He is a resident of Milton and the proud father of three children.
Kathy Duchaney
Kathy Duchaney, an Account Manager, acts as a liaison between clients and companies, and is responsible for marketing new and renewal business, in addition to developing and presenting coverage proposals and analysis and handling day-to-day service issues.
Kathy, whose career in the insurance industry began in 1989, is a licensed MA agent and has successfully passed several Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management courses. In addition, she attended Northeastern University.
Married and the proud mom of two beautiful daughters, Kathy performs volunteer work at her girls’ schools and is an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She is also a past Girl Scout leader. In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with her family.
Jonathan Lanza
Jonathan Lanza, Senior Vice President of Risk Management Services is responsible for new business development and oversight of the Risk Management operations.
He specializes in risk management products and services in addition to traditional insurance products, working with a wide range of industries varying in size and demographic locations. He is a licensed Property & Casualty Insurance broker and holds an Associate in Risk Management designation.
Jonathan began his insurance career in 1995 with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as an Account Executive, working his way up to the position of Area Vice President.
He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in Business Administration.
Bonnie Solomon
Bonnie Solomon, Principal/Accounting, is responsible for human resource, accounts receivable and payable and budgeting activities at the firm.
She makes her home in Charlestown with her husband Roy; they are the parents of two children and grandparents of four. In her spare time Bonnie enjoys boating, traveling, sewing and cake decorating.
Christine Wadel
Christine Wadel is responsible for day-to-day accounting, information technology and surplus lines tax filings activities. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; she is also Shiatsu and Reiki certified.
Christine is a member of the Mass Sport Parachute Club and the Boston Ski & Sport Club.
A resident of North Attleboro, she enjoys traveling, skydiving, snowboarding, and sports in her spare time.
Karla Quinlan
Karla Quinlan, Administrative Assistant/ Customer Service Representative, assists Accounts Executives and Producers with day-to-day tasks, handles insurance licensing for staff members and performs all word processing activities for the office.
Karla has worked within the insurance industry since 1994; she lives in her home town of Quincy with her husband and their daughter.
Mike Peltier
Mike Peltier, Senior Vice President is Manager of Division/New Business Production.
Licensed in Property & Casualty, Mike holds a degree in Business Management from Bridgewater State College and is a candidate for Associates in Risk Management.
Mike resides in Milton and is a former board member of the non-profit organization Help Adult Learn Today (HALT) Program.