Senior Member
Tim Russell, CPCU
Tim, along with his brother George, is a third generation owner of The Russell Agency.
He received his Bachelors of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance, with an Agency Management tract, from The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! He joined the Agency in 1994, where he concentrates mainly on Commercial insurance. Since joining the Agency, Tim and George have seen the Agency volume grow three times over.
Tim is very active in civic and industry groups. He served as President of the Fairfield Rotary Club from 2003-2004. During his term, he organized the Club’s first Celebrity Luncheon which has since gone on to raise over $150,000 for local and international charities.
From 2005-2007, Tim served as President of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters. During his term, the Chapter began a series of joint meetings with the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut featuring the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Connecticut.
Tim currently is Vice President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut. He enjoys participating in their lobbying efforts both here in Hartford and in Washington D.C. During his tenure with PIA CT, he has met with many influential lawmakers including Governor Rell and Senator Leiberman.
In 2009, Tim was chosen as the CT Professional Insurance Agent of the Year by PIA CT.
On March 20th, 2010, Tim was named the National Professional Agent of the Year by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). Tim was honored for his contributions to the insurance industry, the independent agency system and to his PIA colleagues, along with his commitment to education, involvement in community affairs and overall success.
Tim lives in Sandy Hook, CT with his wife Bobbie Sue (also a Georgia grad – Go Dawgs!) and their three children, Judge, Walker, and Mila
Personal Lines Manager/ Agency Principal
George Russell
George, along with his brother Tim, is a third generation owner of The Russell Agency. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1990 with a degree in Business Administration and Management, George worked in sales positions in Richmond, VA and Portland, OR before returning to Southport in 1995 to join his family’s insurance business.
As Manager of our Personal Lines Department, George has helped the agency grow steadily over the years and receive numerous awards and recognition from our carriers for sales excellence.
George is very active in the Southport community and is currently serving as President of the Sasquanaug Association for Southport Improvement, Inc. - one of the oldest neighborhood associations in the country. He served several years as Treasurer for the Southport Conservancy, Inc. and is a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield.
George resides in Southport and has two daughters Madelyn and Charlotte.
Life & Health Insurance Broker & Agent
John Ambrusco Jr.
John has over 17 years of experience in the life and health insurance field. He began his career with John Hancock in 1993, and then segued to Mass Mutual and New York Life, and eventually an independent broker. John was energized by being independent, and joined The Russell Agency to bring his expertise to grow the Life and Health division of the agency. John works with both Personal Lines and Commercial clients at the agency to resolve their life and health needs. He works with the commercial clients to offer Group Employee Benefits, such as Health, Life, Dental, Vision and Disability, and with the personal clients to offer individual life and health insurance.
John holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University, in Fairfield CT (1986-1990), a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Haven, West Haven, CT (1990-1992). John is currently in the process of securing his Chartered Life Underwriter and CFP designations, and is a member of the Society of Financial Services Professionals and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors(NAIFA).
John has been active with a number of local civic organizations, including West Haven Rotary Club and the Milford and Fairfield Chambers of Commerce, as well as member of West Haven Italian-American Club and The West Haven Elks. John has served as a Board of Director for Community Service, on various committees and countless charity events sponsored by The Rotary Club of West Haven.
John lives in Milford, CT with his wife, Denise and their daughter Ava.
Personal Lines Broker & Agent
Thomas J. Ayres, CPIA
Tom joined the agency in June of 2000 where he concentrates primarily on personal insurance. Since joining the agency Tom has excelled at satisfying his clients and helping the agency expand into new emerging markets. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. (1993-1997). He earned the Certified Profession Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation in 2002 for sales excellence from the AIMS Society. Tom is also a member of the Young Insurance Professionals of CT.
Tom has been very active with a number of local civic organizations, including The Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. After joining in 2000, he has served the club as Vice President for 2 years, Co-Chairman of Fundraiser the Winetasting and Slient auction for several years, and also as chairman of the membership committee, and hands-on Committee. Tom also received the 2006-2007 District Public Image award for his work developing the club's dynamic website.
Tom lives in Trumbull, CT with his wife Tiffany and their 3 children, Lily, Bella, and Sarah.
Field Underwriting Associate
James Bernatchez Jr.
James joined the Russell Agency in March of 2005. He received his Property & Casualty license in CT later that year. He currently serves as a Field Underwriting Associate. James handles everything from underwriting new accounts to re-underwriting our existing business. His duties include all of the detailed background work necessary to expedite high quality service for our clients. His quick and efficient handling of his business allows us to provide a higher level of service for our clients. James is also an avid photographer and he has ample opportunity to put that skill to use when he is photographing homes, accidents, and claims.
James was born In Greenwich and currently resides in Milford.
Personal Lines Customer Service Agent
Phyllis Billings
Phyllis, our longest tenured member of our service staff, joined the agency in 1995. As a fully licensed Property & Casualty customer service representative Phyllis has years of experience handling everything from resolving billing issues to handling customer claims. Phyllis is loved by her clients for always going above and beyond in an attempt to resolve their problems, no matter how small.
Phyllis, a native of Ireland, and her husband Jim reside in Southport and have two grown daughters. Phyllis is a longtime active member of the Gaelic American club, serving in many capacities. She also enjoys kayaking in Southport Harbor.
Bookkeeper & Accounting
Donna Longo
Donna joined the agency in the summer of 2004. her primary position is our bookkeeper, but her efficiency afforded the agency the opportunity to expand her role. She now also assists with our Life and Health insurance business, as well as bonds. Donna graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1991 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology.
Donna resides in Southport, CT with/ her husband Marc & their two children Thomas and Mathew
Personal Lines Customer Service Agent
Suzanne Meeker
Sue, born and raised in Trumbull, joined the agency during the summer of 2000 and quickly developed into a key resource within our personal lines division. Sue has years of experience in the real estate appraisal field that lends itself well to her work as a personal lines customer service agent. As a fully Licensed Property/Casualty Agent, Sue not only handles the day to day policy changes and billing issues with ease, but she can dispense sound advice and handle our claims. Sue maintains a great repoire with her clients and has proven to be an excellent addition to our staff.
Sue is very active in the CT Blues Society on their board of directors. She also serves as a judge for the Best In Connecticut Competition as well as on the National level in Memphis TN every year. Sue currently lives in Bridgeport,CT with her husband Ray
Commercial Lines Account Associate
Katie Veno, CLCS
Katie joined the agency in October of 2008, where she works primarily with servicing the commercial lines. While working in the agency she has developed working relationships with the clients in handling their billing and policy concerns, and managing their business claims.
Katie obtained a bachelors degree in business and technology at the University of Connecticut (2004-2008) and has since also obtained her property and casualty insurance license. In March of 2009 she attended a course at The Hartford School of Insurance, where she earned the designation CLCS (Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist).
Katie was raised in Black Rock and has since moved to Fairfield. She is a member of the National Young Insurance Professionals.
Personal & Commercial Lines Agent/ Broker
Nicholas Ruickoldt
Nicholas joined The Russell Agency, LLC in August 2009 and specializes in providing risk management solutions for high net worth personal lines clients. Nicholas is a licensed Property & Casualty Producer in the state of Connecticut and is a member of the Young Insurance Professionals. Nicholas has his Bachelors in Business Administration from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA and is a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield, CT.
Nicholas is very active in a number of local organizations, including The Black Rock Rotary Club, The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, The Milford Chamber of Commerce and The Young Insurance Professionals.
Insurance Services
317 Pequot Avenue
PO Box 528
Southport CT 06890
203-255-2877 P
203-254-8427 F
