Team

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.

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.

Ryan Fleming offers an understanding and a refreshing change of perspective. His years of experience in the insurance industry has allowed him to understand business from many different angles and in turn, provide solutions to improve productivity. Ryan has been speaking for almost 10 years on various topics, focusing mainly on improving, staff mindsets, industry understanding and controlling loss. He believes that educating is the best way to put the control in his client's hands as opposed to leaving them under the control of the insurance industry.

If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
CPO. Chief Progress Officer. Seriously though, creating perspective and enacting the vision that the Hager brothers have for JGS.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
When I’m not working? When is that? Boating for sure.

Best advice you've ever received?
It’s not about weathering the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the Rain. Learning to love the everyday grind allows for unlimited success.

Gwenyth has developed a stellar reputation among business insurance clients as a passionate, hard-working and dependable insurance partner. Ironically, Gwenyth didn’t set out to be insurance broker. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and initially began a career in information technology. When she was recruited by a large insurance company, she decided to give insurance a chance. Clearly, it was a good fit.

Gwenyth spent several years as a commercial insurance producer on the carrier side, and spent many more years working for a major insurance brokerage before joining JGS Insurance. Gwenyth appreciates the niche focus and overall working philosophy. “We provide the boutique service of a small agency, combined with the resources and clout of a large agency,” she says. “JGS gives me the freedom to go above and beyond for clients and to get the job done right.”

Gwenyth and her family reside in New Jersey. When Gwenyth isn’t working, she enjoys cross fit training, reading and cooking.

If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Insurance Enthusiast or Business Enthusiasts

Best advice you've ever received?
Do what is right, not what is easy.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Can deadlift 1.5x my body weight.

Barry Fields has 29 years of employee benefits experience representing insurance companies (8 years) and consulting firms (21 years). He has advised clients with up to 5,000 employees in a wide range of industries, professional and industrial, public and private, non-profit organizations, etc. throughout the United States and worldwide.

Barry specializes in all aspects of providing full-service benefits consulting to clients including program design, compliance, plan funding, underwriting, wellness programs, employee communications, benefits administration, employee advocacy and the use of effective strategies in benefits management.

Barry joined JGS in 2013. He lives in Basking Ridge with his wife, Janice and twin sons, Avery and Jeremy.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
The camaraderie with my co-workers and our amazing Bell Works building and offices.

Best advice you've ever received?
Stay in the moment. If your kids want your attention, drop everything, including the remote and give them your undivided attention.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a doctor or a race car driver.

Jim Thomas, Certified Insurance Counselor is a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned a BS in Business & Marketing.

Jim has worked in the insurance industry as an independent agent for over 30 years with experience in accounting, claims, production, management and operations. In all phases he has emphasized addressing individual client needs and outstanding customer service. He has helped hundreds of families and all types of businesses protect their assets through planning, risk management and insurance.

Jim and his wife Lori live in Brick, NJ.

What's the best thing about working at JGS?
It's the people of course. The positive attitude of the employees and the company culture at JGS is excellent.

Any other interesting fact about you?
I married the girl next door. We knew each other since age 12.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be an insurance agent...LOL. I wanted to play 3rd base for the NY Mets. Alas, I couldn't hit a curve ball.

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.