Meet Our Team

At Brevard Insurance Agency, Inc, we've built our team with individuals who have the highest standards for client communication and servicing. No matter who you interact with at Brevard Insurance Agency, Inc, you'll have the best experience possible.

Get Familiar With The Brevard Insurance Agency, Inc Team

Jay Coan

Jay Coan

President. The Boss.
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Jay, the agency manager, has been with Brevard Insurance for since 2001. While supporting clients with their insurance needs, he also oversees daily operations of the agency. Jay is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida; and holds licenses in property, casualty, life and health, and Medicare. After earning a Business Management degree from the University of South Carolina in 1999, Jay became a Certified Insurance Counselor in 2010 after completing an insurance education program sponsored by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. Jay and wife Nora have two daughters Charlotte & Claire, and they enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities.

3 fun facts:

  1. Jay loves camping, mountain biking, swimming, hiking and fishing with my wife and daughters.
  2. He worked on a Charter Fishing Boat in Hatteras, NC for about 2 years after college.
  3. Jay is trying to get to every state in the country before he turns 50, he has some work to do!!!
Meet Jay
Kate Lowden

Kate Lowden

Personal Lines Agent. Queen of new business.
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Kate Lowden joined the Brevard Insurance team in June 2021 as a Personal Lines Agent. Originally from east Texas, she moved to Brevard in 2016 to attend Brevard College where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. After college, she knew Brevard, NC is where she wanted to stay and is grateful to Brevard Insurance Agency for making that happen. Kate is excited to use her role as an insurance agent to support the community she has come to love.

In her free time, you can find Kate playing with her dogs Bennett and Avery, hiking, fishing, or generally basking in the outdoors. She also enjoys baking, drinking coffee and spending time with her family.

3 fun facts:

  1. Kate REALLY loves going to the dentist.
  2. On the flip side, Kate REALLY doesn't like Halloween.
  3. Kate enjoys power lifting when not in the office.
Meet Kate
Chris Ford

Chris Ford

Client Experience Representative. Crushes the questions.
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Chris joined the Brevard Insurance team in March of 2023 as a Client Experience Representative. While Chris grew up in suburban Jacksonville, Florida, he was imprinted by summers spent in the mountains of WNC. After graduating from Florida State University with a master's degree in Recreation Management; Chris (& his wife Beth) moved as fast as they could to the area! Chris has spent his career in various customer service, sales, and program management roles – including outdoor & wilderness programs, employee wellness at a large brewery, and most recently sales at a local bike shop. Chris is excited to use his years of experience in his current role of supporting Brevard Insurance clients!

Chris, his wife Beth, and their three boys (Noah, Stokely, & Solomon) live in Pisgah Forest. They enjoy family adventures in the forest, mountain biking, or a good book or movie!

3 fun facts:

  1. Chris has visited 14 National Parks across the country – and even had a herd of buffalo walk through his campsite while in Yellowstone!
  2. In the time he's been married, Chris and his wife have lived in 11 houses – averaging moving every 1.45 years (even thought they’ve lived here for 4+ years).
  3. He is currently cultivating moss lawn at our forested home and have attracted a growing gnome population.

 

Meet Chris
Sara Pacifici Headshot

Sara Pacifici

VP Commercial Operations. No one better for commercial policies.
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Sara was born and raised in Western North Carolina and now lives in Asheville with her husband, daughter and 2 golden doodle dogs. She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She has 15 years experience in the industry with nine years at an independent agency and 6 years working for insurance companies focusing on commercial sales and products. In her free time, she loves to read, write, travel to new places with her family, go on walks and cook.

3 fun facts:

  1. Sara loves to read, especially books that are set in England.
  2. Sitting on the beach in California, with her toes in the sand is her happy place.
  3. She has a political science degree, and prior to insurance, Sara worked for 2 state senators in Raleigh as a legislative aide.
Meet Sara
Katie Sweeney | Brand Manager

Katie Sweeney

Brand Manager. Community engagement, website content and marketing schemes for days!
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Katie joined the Brevard Insurance team in early 2021 after owning her own marketing company for several years. Originally from Georgia, she moved to Brevard in 2016 from West Virginia where she helped manage a 10,000 acre ATV park. Katie graduated from Georgia Tech with a B.S. in International Affairs. She really enjoys using her varied background to find creative marketing solutions in the insurance space.

When not in the office, you can often find Katie adventuring and traveling with her family, mountain biking, cooking or gardening.

3 fun facts:

  1. Katie just hit a 500 day streak learning French on Duolingo.
  2. She was a registered lobbyist in Georgia when she worked for the Office of Government Affairs at Geogia Tech.  
  3. Katie love growing flowers.
Meet Katie
Ayme Cabrera

Ayme Cabrera

Client Experience Representative. If she doesn't know, she'll find out.
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Amye is of Ecuadorian Nationality but was born in NYC. She moved to Charlotte in 2004 and now lives in Olin, NC with her husband and two-year-old, Santino. She also has a stepson named Dylan who loves to play soccer. With nearly a decade of Insurance experience, Ayme is regularly pursing continuing education opportunities to better serve those around her. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.

3 fun facts:

  1. Ayme enjoys poetry and creative writing and did creative editing for a published author. 
  2. She has developed an interest in baking. 
  3. Ayme has found her greatest fulfillment in life is being a mother. 
Meet Ayme
Gabby Hightower | Sales Support

Gabby Hightower

Sales Support Specialist. You'll talk to Gabby at some point.
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Gabby grew up in Brevard and graduated from Rosman High School and then Blue Ridge Community College. Gabby is driven to help her community  - including animals and humans. She is close to her family, loves being outside and enjoys spending time with her lab, Finley.

When not in the office, you can often find Gabby hiking, swimming or with her family.

3 fun facts:

  1. She loves trout fishing
  2. She has two jeeps
  3. She has a huge fish tank
Meet Gabby

Recent Blog Posts from the Team

Renovating Your Western NC Home This Fall? The Insurance Updates Most Owners Forget

By Katie Sweeney | September 4, 2026

Hurricane Season Coverage Check: Five Questions to Email Your Agent Right Now

By Katie Sweeney | July 21, 2026

Adding a teen driver in Western North Carolina: what to tell your agent before, not after

By Katie Sweeney | June 16, 2026

5 tips for fall leaves from your insurance agent

By Katie Sweeney | October 28, 2025

Thinking About a New Roof? Here’s What I Learned About Shingles vs. Metal

By Katie Sweeney | October 14, 2025

How to Lower Your Home Insurance Payment (When It Jumps by $1,000+)

By Katie Sweeney | September 9, 2025

What to Know About Earthquake Endorsements on Home Insurance

By Katie Sweeney | September 3, 2025

Dogs & Insurance: What You Need to Know (International Dog Day Edition)

By Katie Sweeney | August 26, 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Insure My Car?

By Katie Sweeney | August 12, 2025

How much does it cost to insure a $2 Million house?

By Katie Sweeney | August 11, 2025
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