Eric Kastendike, Partner, KIG
Eric, his father, Graham, and brother, Chris, formed the Kastendike Insurance Group in 2014 to start a division of MDP in Hunt Valley, MD. Previously, he was Vice President at Diversified Insurance Industries, Inc. from 2002-to 2014 after graduating from Elon University with a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications and Finance. Eric is a Baltimore native having attended St. Paul’s School and is the 5th generation of his family to join the insurance business. Eric’s ever-increasing client base stems from a systematic, true risk management approach. While other agents focus on the placement of insurance, Eric works with his clients on managing their total cost of risk and the positive effects it has on their profitability. Eric specializes in both personal and commercial insurance. Eric resides with his wife, Kristel, and two children in Jacksonville, MD.
Chris Kastendike, Partner, KIG
Chris joined the family business in 2012 after a long stint at All Risks Ltd, where he was actively involved in both sales and management. While at All Risks LTD., he reached the President’s Club multiple times, was selected to attend US Lloyds of London Broker Syndicate Program (1 of 10 in the country in 2010), managed an inbound marketing/sales division, helped build and manage National Insurance Programs and worked directly with brokers nationally to partner with new insurance agencies. In 2014, the Kastendike Family joined MDP to expand their operations from a new office in Hunt Valley, MD. Since 2014, the Kastendike Insurance Group (KIG) team has grown to place over $35,000,000 in written premiums with a staff of 20+ insurance professionals located up and down the east coast. In addition to the daily operations at KIG, Chris and the Partners at MDP/CMG completed an acquisition of a new maritime-based agency in Connecticut that operates as Northeastern Underwriters. Chris grew up in Baltimore attending St. Paul’s School before heading off to Elon University for a business degree. He followed that with an MBA from Towson University and the University of Baltimore. Chris’ passion for learning and desire to refine his craft translates to a continuous pursuit of industry-specific education.
Mark Tagliaferro, Partner, KIG
Mark joined Kastendike Insurance Group in July of 2016 after managing the commercial insurance division at another firm for 13 years. He is responsible for managing the internal operations at KIG including client management and service, client retention, and insurance carrier management. Mark maintains the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). He is passionate about client engagement and employee growth. Mark became a partner at KIG in 2022. He and his wife, Lori, have two daughters, Samantha and Carly, and live in Belair, MD. Mark enjoys all things Baltimore sports, history, and the sand and sun.
Jesse Uhlman
Jesse has been a broker with MDP since 2018. Prior to that, he played Division One lacrosse while earning his degree in Business Management/Economics, and obtained his Property and Casualty Insurance License prior to graduation. Since joining MDP, Jesse has taken pride in being available for his clients at all times, and guiding them through the many insurance-related challenges they face while operating a business. Over the years, Jesse has focused on building personal relationships with his new and existing clients, and protecting their companies as if they were his own. Jesse’s areas of expertise include Construction/Trade Contractors, Commercial Real Estate, Condo Associations, Hospitality, and more. Jesse was born and raised in Carroll County Maryland, but resides with his wife Natalie in Timonium. Outside of work, Jesse enjoys travelling, spending time with his longtime friends, cheering on the Ravens, and anything outdoors.
Kevin Permison
Kevin became an insurance advisor after over a decade long career in education as a teacher, director, coach, and consultant. Kevin utilizes that background while taking immense pride in establishing long-term partnerships with general and sub-contractors, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, comedy theaters, restaurants and bars, personal lines insurance, and more. He supports all of his clients by walking them through the insurance process and educating them on how to protect their business or organization. Kevin is a huge O’s, Terps and Ravens fan, and when he’s not working he enjoys being down in Ocean City, MD…remembering fondly all the summers he spent working at his family’s restaurant on 78th street.
Devin Shewell
Devin joined MDP in September of 2019 after Graduating from Loyola University with a degree in Communications. Devin is a Baltimore native having attending Boys’ Latin School. He will be focusing on commercial and personal lines insurance. He has a passion for learning about each individual client and building a long-term relationship with them. In his free time, Devin loves attending sporting events in the Baltimore area as well as playing golf and being outdoors.
John Robertson
Senior Risk Advisor
John Robertson, Senior Risk Advisor; has over 30 years of experience in the Insurance Industry. His career started working with his family’s Nationwide Insurance Agency as a multiline insurance agent. After several years, he decided it was time to see the rest of the business world and became a Financial Advisor and District Sales Manager for Waddell and Reed & the Ivy Funds. In 2012, John launched Trysail Insurance, LLC to refocus on commercial insurance with a heavy focus on Marine Insurance. In 2021, John teamed up with the Kastendike Group to further expand his marine and commercial property offerings.
John’s business philosophy and client focus stems from his core belief that one’s deeds must always follow their words because at the end of the day – personal integrity stands above all else. Through the years, John’s clients have varied from technology startups to mom-and-pop shops and from the Federal Government to multibillion dollar, real estate funds. John was born and raised in Maryland; he went to Salisbury University, and currently lives in Severna Park. He is strongly devoted to his wife, Genie and two wonderful daughters, Delanie and Lauren, and very much enjoys spending time watching them play soccer and relaxing out on the Chesapeake Bay.
