Our Staff
Michael P. Regan
President/Owner
Michael joined Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc. in 2019 as a principal in the firm. Michael has been in the insurance business since 2005. He is a graduate of Springfield College, class of 2005 and a Graduate of The National Alliance School for Producer Development, class of 2006. Michael holds a Property Casualty Insurance Broker’s License.
Committed to the community Michael was awarded with The Henry Fifield Award in 2016 (Volunteer of the year). Michael is still involved on numerous boards, and committees including Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, The Granby Athletic Association, Business Networking International, Ambassador of The Orchards Golf Course, Volunteer Coach for First Tee Program, and other Local youth sports.
Brenda Hamel, CISR
Treasurer/General Manager
Brenda Hamel is the Treasurer for the Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc. concentrating on the human resources and financial aspect of the agency. She has been with the Clayton team since 1988 and has more than three decades of experience working in the insurance industry.
Brenda has held various positions at the agency, starting as the receptionist and working her way up the ladder to Treasurer. She is a licensed insurance broker and holds the Customer Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.
When Brenda is out of the office, she enjoys golf and spending time with her family in Southampton.
Personal Lines
Denise M. Noonan
Personal Lines Account Executive
Education: Graduated from Westfield University 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education & Psychology
Denise started in the insurance industry in 1987 as a Personal Lines Adjuster handling claims for Hanover Insurance Company, where she worked for 13 years. From 2004 – 2017, Denise worked for Amica. She obtained her P&C Producer License and worked as a Senior Account Representative in Personal Lines. She dealt with high volumes of accounts and excelled in sales.
Denise joined Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc. in May 2018 as a Personal Lines CSR Representative.
She is married with 3 children and resides in Westfield. In her free time, she enjoys intense workouts, running & biking. With Summer being her favorite season, Denise’s happy place is at the beach, sitting by the pool or just being outdoors. Her mottos in life are “Do no harm” and “Live like you were dying, because every day is a gift!”
Melinda Montgomery
Personal Lines Account Executive
Melinda has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years, specializing in personal insurance. She has been with Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc since 2009.
Melinda has her Property & Casualty Broker’s license and is a Notary Public. She is the Senior Personal Lines Account Executive, assisting customers and overseeing the Personal Lines Department.
Carol A Nyzio, CISR, CPIA, Notary Public
Personal Lines Account Executive
Education: Graduated from Granby Jr. Sr High School, and attended Holyoke community
College Classes in Medical Secretary Program.
Carol started in the insurance industry in 1977 as a personal and commercial lines
representative handling all aspects of insurance at Chaee-Helliwell Insurance Agency.
She is also a licensed insurance broker and holds several designations.
Carol Joined Clayton Insurance in February 2024
She has 2 Boys and 1 Granddaughter and resides in Ludlow.
Carol’s Happy place is going to Aruba every March. And also enjoys going to see her brother’s band “Brassattack” perform & enjoying her back yard & her flowers & crafting. Her children and grandchild are the love of her life.
Commercial Lines
Lauren Eckhardt, CISR
Commercial Lines Account Executive
Lauren has been working in the insurance industry for over 40 years. She got her start in the industry working at her family’s insurance agency. After moving to Michigan for four years, where she furthered her Commercial Lines Insurance knowledge, she came back to the area and has worked for a few agencies in the Holyoke area. She is a licensed insurance broker and holds the Customer Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.
She enjoys gardening, traveling, going to concerts and sporting events. Lauren and her family live in South Hadley.
Margaret (Meg) Munroe
Claims Specialist/ Commercial Lines CSR
Meg is a Holyoke native and has been in the insurance industry for over 40 years. She has been with Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc. since 1993 as a Claims Representative and Commercial Lines CSR.
Meg graduated from Holyoke Community College with a degree in Liberal Arts & Science. She is married with 2 children.
Fe’ Trudell
Commercial Lines Account Executive
Fé Trudell grew up in Holyoke and received an Associates Degree from Holyoke Community College. Fé and her husband John are lifelong residents of Holyoke where they raised two children, Renée and Michael.
Fé started at Clayton Insurance Agency, Inc. in 1984 and is part of the Commercial Lines Team as an Account Executive.
She enjoys gardening, working out with her gym buddies and spending time and traveling with her family and close group of childhood friends.
Mindy Karakula
Commercial Lines Account Executive
Mindy started in the Insurance industry in 1990 right after college, working for her family’s Agency in Holyoke, a temporary gig that lasted 30 years. She obtained her Property & Casualty Brokers license and specialized mostly in Personal lines with about 5 years in Commercial Lines as well. After working with a Northampton Agency for the last 4 years, she has returned to Holyoke, joining Clayton Agency in February 2025. She lives in Easthampton with her family and in her free time enjoys hiking and canoeing. She is also an instructor at Snap Fitness in Easthampton teaching Dance Cardio, HIIT, and Kick Cardio classes.
Office
Mark D. LaVallee, LUTCF
Sales
Mark is an experienced Agent with the Clayton Insurance Agency, working primarily in the Personal insurance field, specializing in Life Insurance. Mark also has a growing and working knowledge in the Commercial Insurance field. Mark brings a No Nonsense, straight forward approach to our clients by providing a clear understanding of how to protect what they value most.
Mark is a specialist in Helping Military & First Responder families, Mark has walked in their shoes and served beside Brother and Sister alike. he knows the sacrifices they make for their families. Mark will promise to go above and beyond your expectations to make sure you are well taken care of.
Mark started in the Insurance industry as a Life & Health Agent and then being recruited by one of the Top Five insurance Companies in the country in 2009 and earning his Life Underwriting Training Counsel Fellowship designation (LUTCF). Mark worked in the personal insurance markets and then branching into the small business commercial. Mark joined the Clayton Insurance Team in February 2019.
Mark is married, with two children and seven Granddaughters. Mark enjoys playing Golf, Camping, Gardening with his wife and building things for his Granddaughters.
Retired Army, Retired Firefighter, MCVFA Member, AF & AM, Degree in Business Administration, Licensed in Life & Health 2007, Licensed in Property & Casualty 2009, Professional Designation (LUTCF) 2012, Notary Public 2022.Ca
Joe Desormier
Sales
Joe joined the Clayton team in 2021 after Graduating from Worcester State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
Joe holds a Property & Casualty Broker’s license and is a producer for the agency.
Joe is the current chairman of the Holyoke Chamber Golf Committee and sits on the Chamber’s Ambassador board as well as being involved in the community as much as possible.
Outside of work, Joe loves to golf, be with friends, and participate in men’s league sports.
Brian Mateo
Account Executive
Hello my name is Brian Mateo I got into insurance shortly after graduating Curry College in 2018 with a degree in business mgmt. Going on 5 years in insurance now and I don’t plan on doing anything else because I love helping people protect what’s most important to them every day. I was born and raised here in Western MA and I love engaging with my community through different community service events and volunteering when I can. Besides helping my community and people with their insurance I love to stay active through golf and playing basketball.
Christopher Johnson
Administrative Assistant
In 2018 Chris launched his career in the insurance industry at The Hartford where he specialized in selling auto and home insurance to AARP members as a Personal Lines Sales Associate. He later spent four years at MassMutual broadening his expertise to include life, disability and retirement insurance. Chris has a strong commitment to quality assurance, constantly striving to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys sports, playing guitar and spending quality time with his family, including his energetic one year old Cavapoo.