Our Team

Blake Rhodes

Co-Founder of 925 Partners, Blake graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in History and minor in Sociology. Blake obtained his license and began his career in insurance in 2011 with State Farm, where he specialized in property and casualty insurance and banking. He obtained his Life, Health and Variable Annuities License in 2012. In 2014, Blake opened an independent insurance agency in Jacksonville, Florida. His agency was routinely recognized for exceptional production and client service. Blake’s agency also garnered multiple national awards for life insurance production. He serves as a member of the Young Agents Council for the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, as well as a Trustee for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

Carter Wilson

Carter has been a Jacksonville resident since 2010 and joined the insurance industry in April 2024 as part of the customer service team. With a passion for helping others, Carter finds fulfillment in working directly with clients to meet their needs and ensure their peace of mind. Before entering insurance, he worked in the unique field of van upfitting, where he helped convert Sprinter vans into custom campers and overlanding vehicles. Outside of work, Carter enjoys playing beach volleyball and drumming, blending creativity and teamwork in both his career and personal interests.

David C Hodges, Jr

David graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He continued his education at Jacksonville University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in Business Administration. David ascended rapidly in the automotive industry where he began his career as a sales executive in 1991. By 1994, David was the General Sales Manager for Duval Honda, and President and COO of Duval Acura by 1996. In 2004, David became the Executive Vice President and COO for Scott McRae Automotive Group, the parent company. In 2010, he became the President and CEO of Scott McRae Automotive Group where he oversaw 10 for-profit companies with more than 1,000 employees and over $750,000,000 in annual revenue. David founded Hodges Management Group in 2017 and co-founded 925 Partners. He serves as Chairman and CEO for both companies. David has served as President of the Jacksonville Automobile Dealers Association and Chairman of the Florida Automotive Dealers Association. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Episcopal School of Jacksonville and BlueClaws Baseball Foundation.

Kaitlyn Mackay

Born and raised in Ormond Beach, Kaitlyn is a Florida native. She received her BS in Event Management from UCF's Rosen College before starting her career in the insurance industry. She previously worked for a large broker in Daytona Beach, beginning as a Marketing Analyst and working her way up to the role of Personal Insurance Relationship Manager. Kaitlyn has experience working with high net-worth clients in account management, customer relations, and claims and billing.
Most recently, she moved to Jacksonville with her husband and their 3 young children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, podcasts, experimenting with new recipes, exploring Jacksonville, cheering for the Florida Gators, and spending time with her family and friends.

Austin Williams

Austin joined 925 Partners in 2020 to lead the personal insurance division for the agency. Austin started his career in insurance in 2010 at an independent agency in Jacksonville. In 2011, he graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in business administration. He obtained his license for General Lines that same year and his Life, Health, and variable annuities license a few years later. In early 2012, Austin accepted a position in Gainesville with a successful independent agency where he eventually became their personal lines team leader and was the top producer for personal lines. He is excited to aid in the growth at 925 Partners and build lasting relationships in Jacksonville.

Angel Bollinger

Angel came to work for 925 Partners in the Lake Butler office in early 2023. With over 25 years experience in medical billing and customer service, she decided several years ago to make the switch to insurance and she’s never looked back. Angel truly enjoys helping her clients save money and get the coverage they need. Working with the team of insurance professionals at 925 Partners is a bonus and looks forward to growing professionally in the years to come.

Allison Embree

Allison is a Jacksonville native and a seasoned professional in the Customer Service and Administrative field with over a decade of hands-on experience. Her journey began in the trucking industry, where she spent 4 years coordinating and dispatching for Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc., providing reliable logistics solutions. Beyond the roads, she’s delved into the medical sector of insurance, serving as a Client Billing Analyst for imaging centers, and working in sales for internal health insurance programs. But work isn't everything. Outside the 9-to-5 grind, she invests in nurturing a well-rounded lifestyle. she studies yoga, indulges in language learning, delves into human behavior through psychology, explore cultures with anthropology, and soaks up everything else that piques her interest. Rooted in respect and empathy, she strives for excellence in all her professional and personal endeavors, living true to her character values.

Michella D’Amico

Michella joined 925 Partners in June of 2023. A native of Texas, she moved to Florida in 2003. She has been in the insurance industry since 2005, obtaining her 2-20 Property & Casualty license in 2007. Michella started her insurance career in commercial lines but truly found her calling in personal lines. For the last 13 years, prior to coming to 925 Partners, she managed an agency in Orange City, Florida. Her passion is superior customer service and growing lasting relationships with her clients.

Bailey Edwards

Bailey came to 925 Partners in 2022. He was born and raised in Northeast Florida and has been in the customer service industry for almost two decades. Bailey’s favorite thing about being in a customer service role is turning a negative experience into a positive one and finding a solution to a problem. He is excited to bring this skill set to 925 Partners and grow with this company.

Thomas Starnicky

Tom Starnicky joined 925 Partners in 2020 to bolster the Transportation Division. His previous experience includes serving as Director of Sales with a focus in commercial trucking and freight insurance. Prior to the insurance industry, Tom worked as a commodity and futures trader for Andrie Trading Company in Chicago, including serving as head of the futures department. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lake Forest College where he was a four-year letterman in Football and served as captain his senior year.

Lacey Cereijo

Lacey joined the 925 Partners Team in March 2021, when she brought her prior experience in Trucking and Customer Service to contribute to the Transportation Division's operations. In this capacity, she likely utilized her knowledge of the trucking industry and her customer service skills to effectively fulfill her responsibilities.

In November 2022, Lacey took on a new role as a Transportation Marketing Executive. In this position, her main focus shifted towards assisting the transportation clients of 925 Partners with their annual renewals, guiding clients through the renewal process, helping them understand their coverage options, and ensuring that the entire process goes smoothly. This role requires a strong understanding of insurance products, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.

Lacey's dedication and commitment to both her clients and the 925 Partners Team have not gone unnoticed. Her exemplary work and embodiment of the company's core values led her to being recognized as the recipient of the 925 Partners Core Value – Integrity Award in 2022. This award signifies her adherence to ethical practices, transparency, and honesty in her interactions with clients and colleagues.

Shelby Harris

Shelby is a highly accomplished Transportation Risk Specialist with 10 years of industry experience. Shelby joined 925 Partners Insurance in 2021 and quickly established herself as a key member of the team. Her dedication and expertise helped her earn the Rookie of the Year award in 2022, as well as recognition as a $1M producer in the same year.

Shelby is known for her ability to deliver customized insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of her clients. Her deep understanding of transportation risks and commitment to staying up to date on industry trends and regulations makes her a trusted advisor to her clients.

As a true advocate for her clients, Shelby works tirelessly to protect their businesses from the unexpected. Her professionalism, expertise, and dedication to her clients have solidified her standing as a prominent figure among Transportation Risk Specialists in the industry.

Simon Michael

A Jacksonville native, Simon graduated from THE University of North Florida in 2009 with a degree in Secondary Education. He started his career in the classroom before advancing to the role of Dean of Students. In 2017, during his tenure as Dean, he was honored with the Teacher of the Year award and achieved recognition as one of the top 15 semi-finalists among all nominees in DCPS. The review board commended his exceptional skills in relationship building, effective communication with stakeholders, and his collaborative efforts with mental health resources.

In 2021, Simon joined 925 Partners to further pursue his passion for cultivating meaningful relationships and educating clients. He is dedicated to being a reliable asset and delivering exceptional client experiences. Simon’s ideal day in insurance involves optimizing coverage within budget constraints, utilizing his expertise in carrier knowledge and market conditions to craft tailored packages for clients.

Kyle Black

Kyle is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance. He did an internship for the American Trucking Association in Washington D.C. in 2020 and started as an intern in the Transportation Division for 925 Partners in early 2021 and was quickly promoted to Junior Account Executive in the Transportation Division. Kyle has obtained his Property & Casualty General Lines 220 agent license. Kyle is a natural born leader and was captain of his high school wrestling team here in Jacksonville, FL. He has become a valuable asset to 925 Partners and is looking forward to a long and thriving career in insurance.

Susie Hyman

Susie comes to 925 Partners as a Senior Account Executive with a decade of experience in the insurance industry, including eight years specializing in Commercial lines.

One of her guiding principles is encapsulated in the belief that "Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, and how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark." Susie strives to not only provide expert insurance solutions but also leave a positive, lasting impression on everyone she works with.

When she is not immersed in the world of insurance, you can often find her cheering for her favorite teams, the Florida State Seminoles, and the Atlanta Braves. Beyond that, Susie is a dedicated family person who enjoys spending quality time in the great outdoors, whether it's exploring the woods or savoring moments on the water with her loved ones.

Megan Rosier

Megan Rosier joined 925 Partners in November 2021 as a Client Service Specialist in the Transportation Division. She came to 925 Partners from Florida Blue where she worked in Group Enrollment, Maintenance, and Billing for over 3 years and Consumer Enrollment for a year. Megan is a team player with exceptional people skills and a friendly, positive attitude. She is looking forward to assisting our growing client base with their transportation needs and being a part of the 925 Partners team.

Michael Shewey

Mike joined 925 Partners in 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Blue Cedar Management. Mike began his career with Mutual of Omaha in South Bend Indiana where he earned Presidents Award honors for sales volume in his first year. After two years in South Bend, he was promoted to District Sales Manager of the Chicago office. Mike remained in the insurance business for 12 years before taking his skills to the software industry. From there Mike and his wife, Stacy, started their own hospitality company, a 12-year venture. After honing his entrepreneurial skills Mike moved into CFO roles with four different companies in three different industries. Mike is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and is active in the Jacksonville South Rotary Club, a volunteer at South Point Community Church and is the Treasurer of the Board for Hands 4Life Inc.

Kyle Cronin

Kyle was born and raised in Gainesville, FL and grew up a lifelong Gator fan. He spent his first two years of college playing baseball at Florida State College at Jacksonville where he earned his Associate of Arts degree. He then transferred to his dream school, the University of Florida, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education & Communication. Following graduation, Kyle began his career as an Insurance Underwriter specializing in Property & Causality Insurance. He served in this role for 2+ years. Kyle holds a 2-20 (General Lines) License with the State of Florida & an Associate in Insurance (AINS) designation. His past experiences in insurance have led him to value strong client relationships & provide high-quality customer service above all. Kyle is looking forward to furthering his career as a Commercial Account Executive with 925 Partners.

Kylee Large

Since joining the insurance industry in 2022, Kylee, has quickly established herself as a dedicated and knowledgeable asset to both her clients and our team. As an Account Executive, Kylee makes it her goal to provide clients with clear, insightful insurance guidance and ensuring they fully understand their coverage options. Kylee takes pride in building strong, trust-based relationships with clients, always going the extra mile to address their needs and concerns. Kylee earned her General Lines license in 2023, and is working towards her Life, Health, and variable annuities license.

Devin Link

Devin was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended the University of North Florida where he earned his Associates Degree. During his senior year of high school, he launched his career in retail sales, where he honed important skills such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork. Devin takes great pleasure in building relationships with those he provides service, as demonstrated by his previous role as a personal banker at a local credit union. He is thrilled to join 925 Partners, a company that values integrity, service, and excellence, and is eager to contribute to its success, while building strong bonds and meaningful relationships along the way!