Meet Our Staff
I want to welcome you to the Farmers Business Development Center here in the Inland Empire of Riverside, California. As the Center Manager, I have been extremely fortunate in working with such a great staff. Everyone in our center is highly knowledgeable, informative and approachable in providing answers to any of your agency questions, as well as, with all of Farmers' many products and services. Give us a call today - we are here for you!
Mike Ponce, Center Executive Manager
Mike is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration. He also earned an MBA from Pepperdine University. Mike has a diverse background in the insurance industry working in claims, recruiting, training and agencies. His areas of expertise include creating and executing growth strategies, Hispanic initiatives, and developing people.
Erica Gildart, Center Manager Executive Assistant
Erica was born in Richmond, Virginia and raised in Whittier, California. She is currently attending Fullerton College with the aspiration of obtaining a Business Degree. Prior to working with Farmers Insurance, she excelled and got experience in customer relations, sales and management.
Erica Jane Fertig, Business Operations Manager
Erica Jane attended the University of California, Riverside as a Regent Scholar and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. Prior to joining Farmers, Erica Jane was a Nordstrom department manager for five years in Riverside. Erica Jane has six years of management, training and sales experience in both the retail and customer service industries.
Ryan Foley, Performance Manager
Ryan was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Finance from Illinois State University. He brings nine years of experience in the insurance industry, the last seven with Farmers. At Farmers, Ryan has been a Claims Representative, Agent and Development Manager. In 2006, he relocated to Orange County to aid in the restructuring of two districts as part of a pilot program before joining the Riverside BDC.
Ed Lavalle, Recruiting Manager
Originally born and raised in Lima, Peru, Ed obtained a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Finance. He brings more than 25 years in Managerial experience, three of which have been with Farmers. He recently relocated here from Chicago to further his growth within the company.
Michelle Velasquez, Marketing Manager
Michelle was born in Irvine, California and raised in Riverside. She obtained the degree of Bachelors of Arts with a major in Spanish and a minor in Chicana/Chicano studies from the University of California, Davis. She brings to our team several years of Management and Marketing experience from the retail industry.
Daniel Perez, Reserve District Manager
Daniel has joined our team with an extensive background in the financial services industry. He also completed a bachelor's degree in business entrepreneurship from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is now one of our sales managers and trainers at the business center.
Ruben Luna, Reserve District Manager
Ruben is an Alumni from the University of Redlands double majoring in Business Administration and Spanish. Ruben brings more than five years of sales, retail management, and private investigation experience.
Gearard LeFore, Reserve District Manager
Gearard was born and raised in San Diego, California. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and is currently pursuing an MBA with a specialization in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Gearard brings our team several years of experience in management and the financial service industry.
Felipe Dominguez, Customer Service Representative
Felipe is a life-long resident of Southern California who recently relocated from the Los Angeles area to Riverside County. He graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, California and holds a Bachelor's Degree in History. Felipe has eight years of Sales and Management background, including experience as a Farmers Agency owner.
Erika Siorida, Administrative Assistant
Erika was born in Fontana California and raised in Corona, California. She brings Farmers eight years of excellent customer Service.
Sonia Castellanos, Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representative
Laura Serrano, Customer Service Representative
Laura was born and raised in Orange County, California but now resides in Riverside. She brings to Farmers six years of superior customer service experience.
Araceli Siordia, Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representative
Eric Ramirez, Customer Service Representative
Eric was born in Corona, California and raised in Fullerton, California. Eric is currently attending Fullerton Jr. College majoring in Business Administration. Eric brings 7 years of outstanding customer service to Farmers.
Vanessa Quintana, Customer Service Representative
Vanessa Quintana brings to Farmers an extensive customer service background as well as previous insurance experience. Vanessa is currently working towards a degree in Criminal Justice.
