About Summit Insurance

At Summit Insurance, we partner with our clients to offer all available benefit options.  We believe that every business owner, employee, and family is deserving of the benefits that a well-planned insurance program provides: safety, securing and peace of mind.  Summit Insurance is an independent insurance and employee benefits brokerage and consultant, with a proven record of providing risk management guidance and insurance products for public and private companies, growing entrepreneurial firms and high net worth individuals.  As an insurance advisor and employee benefits consultant, we are committed to providing expertise, leadership, and innovation to meet the risk management challenges of our clients. We work with all of the insurance carriers and, because we are not wed to one insurance brand, we can create a customized benefits package within a budget.

Jim Biggar
Summit Insurance, led by Jim Biggar, President, is an independent insurance and employee benefits brokerage and consultant, with a proven record of providing risk management guidance and insurance products for public and private companies, growing entrepreneurial firms, and individuals. With over three decades of professional experience in the insurance and investment business, Jim has served on CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s Broker Council. A graduate of McDaniel College with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Economics and a Masters Degree from Loyola College in Maryland in Business and Finance.

Thomas Graham, ChFC, AIF
As President and Founder of Summit Financial, Tom began working in the financial services business in Baltimore in 1980. In 1993, he founded Summit Financial Group.  Tom is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD with a degree in secondary education and history.

J. Marissa Waskiewicz, SHRM-CP
Marissa joined Summit Insurance Advisors in 2015 as Employee Benefits Account Manager.  Now, as Vice President of Employee Benefits, Marissa is responsible for managing and servicing the entire employee benefits portfolio.  This includes handling client communications, licensing, claims assistance, service, and renewals for our group clients.  Marissa also consults with our individual clients to help with their individual market health and dental plan selections and services. A graduate of Washington College in Chestertown, MD with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.  Marissa achieved her SHRM-CP certification in 2016.

Michael J. Alessi, Jr.
Michael joined Summit Financial in 2004 as a representative providing insurance services as well as comprehensive underwriting management for life, disability, and long term care insurance programs. Michael received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Systems from Villa Julie College and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University.

Larisa Gutowski
As a Client Relationship Coordinator, Larisa is responsible for client communications, coordinating meetings, and management of client follow-through. She maintains daily operations, assisting internal team members with communications and reporting. Larisa is a graduate of Towson University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance.