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About Us

Meet the Team

Chief Executive Officer

Valerie Pettis

Valerie Pettis got her start in this insurance industry in 2010, working for a captive insurance agency in Destin, FL. She quickly learned that she could better help clients by offering more product selection as an independent agent. Her passion for helping clients is the reason she still in this industry today. Valerie specializes in working with clients to identify problems they might not know they have before it's too late. She enjoys helping people choose the best possible plans to help them feel secure and plan their financial goals.

In Valerie's free time, you can find her with her husband and two daughters - Addison and Vivienne, traveling to Disney or visiting our beautiful beaches.

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Customer Service Specialist

JoEllyn Wachtel

JoEllyn has called Florida home for the past 18 years and can't see herself living anywhere else. JoEllyn has been with Panhandle Insurance (previously Connell Insurance) since 2020. Since coming on board, she has become a valuable asset in providing exceptional customer service to our clients as well as assistance to the agency principal. Her 15 years in customer service provides her with a fantastic attitude and problem solving skills to help navigate the complex insurance market.

In her free time, you can find her with her husband and two children, Warren and Bryn. She enjoys the outdoors, specifically camping in their RV around the beautiful Florida Panhandle.

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Customer Service Specialist

Olivia Parker

Olivia is a true Florida Panhandle native and graduated from Freeport High School in 2010. She continued her education at Northwest Florida State College where she earned her Associates degree. In the years since, she has gained experience in customer service, long-term rental maintenance as well as in the title industry which are valuable assets to the agency. Since joining Panhandle Insurance, Olivia has obtained her Customer Service license and is qualified to help with anything you may need.

When not at work, you can find her with her husband Branden and their pets – 4 dogs and a cat, visiting our local fresh water creeks or around a bon-fire.

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Office Pup

Frankie Pettis

Frankie Pettis is the French Bulldog puppy of agency owner, Valerie Pettis. Frankie has become the unofficial mascot of Panhandle Insurance and believes that everyone that stops by is there to see him specifically (he is not wrong a good majority of the time). Frank enjoys long naps under his Mom’s desk, his chew toys and keeping everyone in the office on their toes trying to guess his next move. At home, he loves to play with his siblings, both the two legged and the 4 legged.

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