About Us

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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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Client Service Manager

Lauren Segraves

With a background in real estate and lending, Lauren Segraves brings a well-rounded perspective to her role as Client Service Manager at Panhandle Insurance Agency. Since joining the insurance world two years ago, she’s been focused on making coverage clear, accessible, and tailored to each client's unique needs.

Lauren is passionate about building strong relationships and making the process of protecting what matters most feel straightforward and stress-free. Her goal is always to provide service that’s not just professional, but personal.

When she’s not in the office, you’re likely to find Lauren traveling somewhere new—or tearing it up on the dance floor.

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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.