About
Burke & Burke Insurance

Here at Burke & Burke Insurance, our goal is to provide you with fair policies, reliable advice, and a sense of security that will help your family live well and thrive!

Meet the Team

Annandale Office

Paul R. Burke

In Memoriam

(703) 751-100

Paul N. Burke

Agency Owner

(703) 751-1001

Mike Powell

AMS Manager

I was raised and have lived in or near Falls Church, Va. all my life. The more you learn, the less you know. I have been with Burke and Burke for over 17 years, 15 of them in the Commercial Department doing customer service, and now in personal lines as back office support.

At work, I most enjoy finding new ways to add information to the database, new ways to collate the info that’s there already, and learning more about the capabilities of our software systems.

I am close to my Family, fond of pets, music, learning, inventing, solving problems, the outdoors, waterfalls, and the beach. And I enjoy all kinds of music, but I’m partial to lead guitar.

When I’m off I’m usually at home with a tv or a guitar, or at my parents or my sister’s house with my nephew. I also spend time cleaning up across from our firehouse or local women’s shelters.

(703) 751-1001

Courtney Ruhling

Commercial Account Manager

Hi, I’m Courtney Ruhling, the Commercial Account Manager at Burke & Burke Insurance. Growing up in Northern VA and attending Centreville HS, I had the privilege of being immersed in the world of insurance from an early age. My father, who built his own insurance business, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the industry. As a child, I would sit in his office with my coloring books, and throughout college, I worked summers in various roles within his agency.

After graduating from The Catholic University of America in Washington DC, I ventured into the IT industry, gaining valuable experience as an account manager, inside sales manager, and sales operations manager over the course of 7 years. Now, I’m thrilled to be part of a strong team at Burke & Burke Insurance, where I can leverage my operations knowledge to streamline processes and contribute to the company’s success.

Besides my professional pursuits, I’m a proud mom of three little ones who bring me immense joy. They are my ultimate adventure buddies! Whenever I manage to steal a few moments to myself, you’ll find me immersed in a good book, occasionally pretending I remember where I left my now cold coffee.

703-751-1001

Brad Yoder

Commercial Lines Manager

I grew up being an Army brat, following my stepfather wherever he was stationed. I ended up going to three different high schools and did a post graduate year at Wyoming Seminary Prep School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Thereafter, I attended East Stroudsburg University. As an alumnus of the Wyoming Seminary Wresting program, I still support the program which has attained three National Prep Wrestling Championships in the last decade. My Dad, being a Kutztown, Pennsylvania native; I spent my summers there working on the railroad tracks in the family business. I fell in love with all the professional Philadelphia sports teams and the Penn State Nitty Lions when I was kid. Since moving to the D.C. area, I have also become a fan of the local sports teams.

After spending 30 years in the restaurant business, I went into the insurance industry. I love knowing the I can guide my clients to making the best decisions when picking a policy that fits their needs.

When not at work, I assist my wife showing our Irish Setters. My wife has been showing for over 40 years and is very well known in the Irish Setter community. I have been her hard-working assistant for 28 years. We have had many Champion dogs over the years. I love seeing live music – – the 9:30 Club will always be my favorite venue, but the Anthem is a great place for national acts. My wife and I love dining out and could be call regulars at many establishments throughout the metro area.

(202) 431-1579

Joe Chapman

Commercial Lines Director

Hi, I’m Joe Chapman and I enjoy my role here as the Commercial Lines Director.  I am here to encourage the growth of our team members and, in turn, the agency.  I like to work in a lighthearted and collaborative environment that emphasizes the identification of client needs prior to client requests.

Prior to coming to Burke & Burke, I have worked at other regional agencies driving commercial lines growth with great success.  I attended American University here in the DC area and worked as an owner/operator for local restaurants before going into insurance.

My joy comes from raising my two kids and my one Rhodesian Ridgeback.  All three bring me happiness but the dog is the best listener.  I enjoy reading (Vonnegut, Twain, Sandford), fishing, UFC and when I get a chance try to sleep.

(703) 751-100

Alexandria Office

Terry Sorber

Agency Manager

I am a bit of a rarity. I am a Northern Virginia native. Born in the old Alexandria Hospital in 1964, and have been in the Northern Virginia area ever since.

I started in the insurance business in 2006, working for my insurance agent at the time, and friend Scott Cassada. Shortly after his retirement in 2016, I found my second home in the insurance business with Burke & Burke.

I get a little excited when working with a client and I see the light bulb go off; when they suddenly understand the policy coverage and the crucial protection it provides.

I really enjoy the fact that my entire family are sports fans. Watching sports with my family is a blast, whether it is Football, Basketball, Soccer. We enjoy it. I also love my Ice Cream. Especially Dairy Queen Blizzards, and Dipped Ice Cream Cones.

When not working, I’m usually at home watching sports, and cooking on the grill.

(703) 751-1001

Brian Heflin

Commercial Lines Director

As a native of northern Virginia, I graduated from Fairfax High School and attended Old Dominion University.

I previously worked as an agent with New York Life Insurance Company. I have been with Burke & Burke in the personal lines department for the past 9 years, focusing on property and casualty along with life insurance, annuities, and long-term care.

I get great satisfaction from the peace of mind that I can provide to clients, knowing that they have the correct coverage for their situation.

I have to say I’m a huge Washington Nationals fan and enjoy going to their games. I’m also known to enjoy a good craft beer or bourbon now and then.

In my spare time, you will find me at the gym, on a run, hiking with my wife and our 3 dogs, or possibly perusing a local brewery. As a dog lover, I spend a lot of my time volunteering with Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, helping dogs find homes.

(703) 751-1001

Mavis Nkansah

Associate Agent

I grew up in Accra, Ghana. I migrated to the United States in 1996 and settled in Alexandria VA. I’ve been with Burke & Burke Insurance LLC for 20 years as a licensed agent in Property & Casualty and Life insurance.

I find fulfilment in educating potential and current clients in choosing the right coverage – to protect their assets and what they have worked for their whole lives.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time and singing with my family, and as a fashionista I sing and direct my church choir. I also enjoy baking, cooking, and gardening, and I regularly volunteer with my Church.

571-464-0552

Fredericksburg Office

Stephanie Prather

Associate Agent

I grew up in Burke, Virginia and graduated from Robinson Secondary High School. Since then, I have been working in the insurance field since 1997. I started out as a receptionist and obtained my P&C license in 1999.

I enjoy working with my clients and assisting them in obtaining the best coverage for their needs and educating them on different aspects of their policy(s).

I love to travel with my husband and spend time or talk about my 2 furry children! I love to watch true crime shows on the ID channel. I also enjoy shopping when I have the extra funds available!

Most of all, I enjoy volunteering with my best friend at her kids high school for their football games.

540-736-1200

Lori Buhmann

Associate Agent

I’m a Virginia native and spent my childhood in Fredericksburg. As of now, I have more than 44 years of experience in the insurance industry. If you love something, keep doing it!

Like everyone else at Burke & Burke, I enjoy helping others. That’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve stuck with the insurance industry for so long.

When I’m not working, I love to dance, go out to dinner, and go sightseeing in new places.

703-751-1001

Alison Lytell

Associate Agent

I am a longtime Woodbridge resident, and my career in insurance started with filing and payment processing at my dad’s Nationwide agency back when I was in high school.

The most rewarding part of my job is helping people better understand their coverage and make decisions to best fit their future.

If I am not working, I am usually running around with my kids. I like #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas, “Two Princes” by the Spin Doctors might be my favorite song of all time, and I drink about 25 cups of black coffee everyday!

571-464-0539

Kimberly Oztuna

Personal Lines Director

I’ve lived in a few places but the majority of my childhood was spent in Missouri. I moved to Virginia after high school, and I began in the insurance industry in 1992 as a secretary. Within a year I had obtained my insurance license and have now been working in the field almost 30 years.

I work with a great group of individuals. There are a handful of us that have been working together for over 15 years.

I spend my weekends being a wife and mother to my 4 children. I am also a tv-aholic. If there is any utility that I consider to be a must, that is cable tv. And I love listening to music.

I am also currently the concessions manager for my children’s high school, so I spend many nights feeding the masses at field games.

540-634-6010

Deanna Riner

Associate Agent

I grew up in Orange, VA and graduated from Orange County High School, then earned by Business Management degree from GCC in Locust Grove, VA.

My insurance career began in January 2002, I had become interested in insurance after experiencing a serious automobile accident the year before. The way my agent guided me through the process, answering all my questions and following up on my claim, made me realize I wanted to do the same for others. After working in a large call center environment for several years, I found I wasn’t making the type of personal connections with my customers that I was hoping for. In July 2005, I decided to join a smaller local agency, the Mike Major Agency, which has since merged with Burke & Burke Insurance, and have been with them ever since.

Insurance is a constantly evolving industry, so learning new things is part of what I enjoy about being an agent. Being able to help people understand their insurance coverage is important whether they are buying a car, moving into a new apartment, purchasing their first home, or adding a new teenage driver. Through the various stages of my clients lives, I take pride in being there to help them navigate all their options.

Other than insurance, my passion is gardening. I’m a plant nut! On my days off, you’re likely to find me in the yard with my husband gardening, listening to a podcast, or reading a good book. I also volunteer at my local library and botanical gardens, and I’m a member of the American Horticultural Society.

I should also say that coffee is my guilty pleasure, but I’m pretty sure many of my customers already know this about me.

703-751-1001

Brittanie Bardwell

Associate Agent

I grew up in Hendersonville, TN until I was seventeen, then I served in the Navy from 2008- 2013.

I started in the insurance industry in 2013 and I’m still at it today, providing auto, property, and life insurance guidance for my clients.

The thing that most excites me with my work is knowing my clients are protected and getting to know each of them personally as friends and not just customers.

During my off time, I really enjoy spending time with my family or working on writing fiction fantasy novels for young adults.

703-751-1001

Bowling Green Office

Sean Burke

Associate Agent

(804) 633-6096

Alice Farmer

Associate Agent

(804) 633-6096