Meet the Tatum Insurance Team

John “Mark” Tatum started his long career in insurance in 1989. He began his career as a captive agent before being offered the position of agency manager. His strong, entrepreneurial spirit was a driving force behind his decision to exit the captive world and open Tatum Insurance. Mark has experience in recruiting, training and guiding agents to become successful business owners. He has been trained in GAMA’s, The Essentials of Leadership and Management as well as the E-Myth Mastery Program and Integrity Selling. Mark’s extensive training and insurance knowledge lends itself to making Tatum Insurance a household name.

Laura Hafenscher, CPCU, AIS, is the Director of Market Development for Tatum Insurance. Laura brings with her 30+ years of experience in the insurance industry. She began her career working in an agent’s office before accepting a position as an underwriter and from there became a captive agent. In 2010 she won the “Commercial Agent of the Year” award. She received personal coaching and has been engaged in the EMyth business owner processes. She is also trained in the Integrity Selling and Integrity Service programs. Laura’s extensive knowledge of underwriting enables proper risk management for every client with which she works.

Matt Schlieger started in the insurance business in 2010.  He began as a captive agent before making the switch to the independent agency side in 2012.  Since 2014 he has worked training new agents on the process of quoting and binding business in the carrier systems.  Matt worked throughout the Midwest.  He and his family relocated from Kentucky and he joined Tatum Insurance in January 2019.  Matt is involved in sales, service and agent training with Tatum Insurance.  In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and exploring all the things Arizona has to offer.

Debra Jastrow, AIS, started working in the insurance industry in 2008. After graduating from the University of Arizona she began working in an agent’s office doing policy service. Following that she worked in underwriting and claims for an insurance company. Debra joined the Tatum Insurance agency in February 2014. She specializes in personal and commercial lines.

Licensed in Arizona, California and Texas.

Justin Roan grew up in Mesa, AZ and joined the Navy where he served three overseas tours. Afterwards, he returned to Arizona for an education in financial services. He began his career in the insurance industry in 2009. Justin joined the Tatum Insurance agency in April 2014 where he sells all lines of insurance. He currently resides in Washington state where he and his family relocated to be closer to family. Justin uses a principled set of foundational strategies to help clients through different challenges.

Licensed in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

John Caldwell, a native Arizonan came to Tatum Insurance as a 25-year veteran of the produce industry, where he gained valuable experience in all aspects of business. He offers a unique perspective in the understanding of the client’s needs with regard to both personal and commercial insurance. His passion is serving his clients with empathy and compassion while protecting what is most valuable to them. In his personal time, John enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Licensed in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, and Texas.

Angie Poirier began selling insurance in 2014.  She started her sales career with Tatum Insurance and has worked in Arizona and Oklahoma.  She specializes in both personal and commercial lines of insurance.  Angie is involved with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and The Elks Club.  When she’s not working or volunteering you will find her spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends or cheering on her favorite football teams.

Licensed in Arizona

Martha Mendoza began her insurance career with a captive agency, giving her an invaluable learning experience. After realizing there were better options to serve her clients, she joined the Tatum Insurance team in 2020. Having lived in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona has given her a unique perspective when it comes to the insurance needs of the Southwest region. Martha is bilingual with native fluency in English and Spanish, allowing her to serve the underrepresented needs of the Hispanic community.

Licensed in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and California

Jay Hixson, born and raised in Oklahoma City attended Moore High School and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree at the University of Oklahoma. Now living in Edmond, OK, Jay has been professionally engaged in the Personal Lines and Commercial Insurance industry as an Agency Owner, Corporate Account Executive and/or a Producer since 2003. Jay prides himself as a passionate Trusted Advisor for his clients. Married with four children, Jay is involved in the Boy Scouts of America, enjoys attending family extracurricular activities, and is a strong supporter of the OU Sooners.

Licensed in Oklahoma and Texas

Ron Schmidt is an Arizona Native.  He was raised in Glendale Arizona.  Ron attended college at Northern Arizona University where he was a member of the track team.  He graduated from NAU in 1996.  Following graduation Ron moved to Kansas.  He began his insurance career with Farm Bureau in 1998.  When Farm Bureau presented him with the opportunity to open an agency in Arizona and work with Mark Tatum he relocated back to AZ in 2003.  During Ron’s insurance career he has received numerous awards and recognition.  He has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) 10 times.  In 2020 Ron decided it was time to make the career move to become and independent insurance agent and to again work with Mark Tatum.  Ron enjoys the relationship with his clients.  He works diligently to help clients understand their insurance needs and the policies they decide to purchase. In Ron’s free time he enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering and attending live sporting events.

Licensed in Arizona and Kansas

Julie Griffith started her insurance career before the turn of the millennium operating in multiple facets of the industry including claims, underwriting, and sales. Joining Tatum Insurance, and specializing in commercial insurance, has allowed Julie to serve her community in a much more comprehensive way by ensuring that her clients have access to the markets and the products they need in order to protect their business, their family, and their lifestyle. Being a parent to two lovely children, and three four-leggeds.  She understands how hectic life can be and is excited to take care of the insurance aspect so you have one less ‘to-do’ on your list. With access to over 20 + markets, and growing all the time, her goal is to take the guess work out of shopping and will work to get the right coverage at the right price.

Licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado