Meet Your Leadership Team
Macklin Kelly | President & CEO | mkelly@mccbrokerage.com
Macklin and her late husband, Jim, launched their dream when they began an insurance agency upon their move to Tampa in 1991. As the organization grew, Macklin led the agency to evolve into the full-service brokerage it is today. Today, Macklin administers organizational leadership in addition to working closely with our partners to safeguard her continued vision.
I enjoy cooking, golfing and spending time with my family. Also, I’m looking forward to more international travel in years to come.
Darren Houck | Chief Operating Officer & Principal | dhouck@mccbrokerage.com
Darren began his career as an insurance broker in 2008 offering life, health, Medicare, and a myriad of ancillary products. Prior to MCC, Darren was a Financial Investment Advisor currently holding a Series 7 & 66 and specializing in wealth and risk management. Darren is a proud Veteran having enlisted in the United States Air Force and he continues to serve as an active member in the community. He has a MBA from Saint Leo University and a B.S. in Finance from the University of South Florida where he graduated both with honors. As Vice President of Sales and Operations, Darren is charged with developing, organizing, streamlining, and executing company initiatives.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife Jill and my son Jackson along with boating, golfing, snow skiing, traveling, and volunteering.
Sandy Benoit | Operations Manager | sbenoit@mccbrokerage.com
Sandy started her career as an insurance broker offering Medicare, life, health and an abundance of ancillary products. In 2010, she managed an internal sales team for a national group with up to 18 direct reports before coming aboard with MCC in 2012. At MCC, Sandy quickly spearheaded several key marketing initiatives to assist brokers grow both their Life and Health client base. Recently, Sandy was promoted to the Operations Manager position where she has oversight of an internal team. Sandy is tasked with continuing to improve the operations process so that MCC agents get the best experience possible.
Sandy enjoys cooking, the beach and watching the sunset. She and her husband Phil, have one child and one grandchild.
Machelle Pickering | Sr. Medicare Support Specialist | mpickering@mccbrokerage.com
Machelle began her career with MCC in 1998 as a Life Case Manager. She held numerous positions on the Life side before transitioning into Medicare in 2006. As MCC continued to grow the Medicare business Machelle too expanded her role into her current position of overseeing the Medicare Support Team. Her robust knowledge in the senior market coupled with her dedication to excellence allows her to build effective working relationships with our agents and carriers.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Kenneth and children, along with attending church, spending time in the Caribbean and writing poetry.
Melissa Spanola | Sr. Marketing Specialist & Compliance Officer | mspanola@mccbrokerage.com
Melissa started her insurance career with MetLife where she worked in Life Underwriting, Small Group and Death and Disability Claims. She has successfully completed LOMA courses and also did employee annual enrollment. She began her career with MCC in 1995 and has been promoted over the years to now being the Compliance Officer for Medicare Advantage. In addition, she also oversees MCC’s Medicare Retail location initiative. Melissa is charged with marketing Life, Health, Disability, Long Term Care, Final Expense and other products to brokers along with directing all aspects of Compliance.
Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, along with cooking, traveling, Disney and USF Football.
Edward Haylock | Regional Sales Director | ehaylock@mccbrokerage.com
Edward brings a diverse background of skills to MCC that began 15 years ago as an Independent Agent. Over that time, he has gained experience that includes: individual health, group health, life, and ancillary benefits. Since 2007, Edward’s focus has been on government sponsored health plans: Medicare and Medicaid. Throughout all lines of coverage, he has worked in both broker development and direct production. He is a native of St. Petersburg, and graduated from St. Petersburg College with a B.S. in Business Management.
Edward believes people have a responsibility to participate in their local communities and spends time volunteering in various activities and participating in different community groups. For fun, Eddie likes to spend time with family and friends enjoying activities like BBQing, camping, traveling, and sporting events.
Patricia Chandler-Faust | Regional Sales Director | pfaust@mccbrokerage.com
With a tenured career in Marketing and Sales, Patricia joined our team to assist in the recruitment and training of Agents throughout the Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Region. Her vast experience in local market branding and advertising for companies with a national base emerges as one of her greatest strengths in fostering our agents’ to become local market specialists with community enhancement at the forefront of their Medicare sales. She has owned and operated companies from start – up phase through acquisition in excess of over $200 million in her 25 year career. With an empowerment of knowledge she chose to become involved in the Medicare Space over six years ago. She brings high energy, positive positioning, and sales acumen to build our broker team future forward.
She resides in New Orleans and enjoys kayaking the bayous, playing golf, and eating some of the finest food in the nation!