About Us
Founded in 1914, HMK Insurance offers Commercial Insurance, Employee Benefits and Personal Insurance solutions to our valued clients. Operating a successful agency for over 100 years has given us an unprecedented wealth of practical experience that we pass onto our clients. We work to solve clients problems intelligently, quickly and cost-effectively. Our commitment is to anticipate your needs and tailor solutions to protect your financial future. Through building a team of only the most knowledgeable advisors we focus on our goal of guiding our clients through the confusing maze of insurance options and requirements. HMK has always operated on the core values of building trusted relationships and that every client matters.
HMK is a founding member of Alera Group. Alera Group is the nation’s 15th largest independent insurance agency and provides us access to resources, technical expertise and best practices of a larger national firm, while maintaining local personal care and thoughtful customer service. HMK is also a founding member of the Insurance Alliance Network- a collection of premiere independent agencies working together to leverage our relationships with insurance companies to bring clients the best insurance products and services available. We position ourselves as leaders in the insurance world to ensure a high level of confidence in our expertise which sets us apart.
Meet Our Team
Neil Ryan
Senior Claims Advocate
With an impressive career spanning more than twenty years, Neil Ryan has cultivated extensive expertise in claim handling across the insurance landscape. His journey encompassed diverse roles as an adjuster, SIU investigator, and field claim representative. Within the HMK Insurance and Alera family, Neil plays a pivotal role as our Senior Claims Advocate, assuming the crucial responsibility of bridging the gap between clients and the insurance companies we represent in times of claims.
Neil's unwavering commitment revolves around safeguarding the best interests of our clientele, orchestrating seamless interactions during claim processes. He skillfully manages large claims, where he expedites resolutions while upholding the highest standards of customer service. Drawing upon his communication skills and wealth of experience, Neil excels in his role.
Neil holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and psychology from Lycoming College. He is a licensed adjuster in Delaware, Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He was awarded the Unsung Hero award by The Insurance Alliance of Central PA in 2013.
Neil resides in Macungie with his wife and three daughters. Outside of the office he enjoys spending time with family and friends, golf, traveling, craft beer, sporting events, and attending concerts.
Sherry Schaffer
Director of Finance / Management Team Member
Sherry took on the role of Director of Finance in 2020 after serving as Accounting and Licensing Coordinator for 18 years at HMK. Sherry leads the agency's financing and accounting department and is a member of the HMK management team. At HMK, she handles just about every accounting function there is from accounts payable, accounts receivable, licensing, and customer service. She is also a valuable member of our leadership team helping to shape how the agency succeeds into the future.
Sherry has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with a minor in economics from Cedar Crest College and a Human Resource Certificate. In her spare time, you can find Sherry in a corner reading a James Patterson book. She also enjoys helping the community by donating her time to March of Dimes. She was a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for 7 years.
Tara Silfies
Chief Operating Officer/ Management Team Member/ Shareholder
Tara Silfies began her career in the insurance industry when she joined HMK Insurance in 1992. Most of her time at HMK was in the role of a Commercial Lines Account Executive, and she continues to service several long-term clients. She managed the Small Business Department for several years, and then in 2013 assumed her current role as Chief Operating Officer. Her functions include managing the internal service staff and the hiring and training of new employees. She also manages and coordinates all commercial lines carrier relationships. She obtained her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1998. She is also currently a Board member at Insurance Agents & Brokers (IAB). She has been a long-time committee member, and currently serves as the Vice President of Administration for Celtic Cultural Alliance.
Julie Stocker
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Julie has been with HMK since 2009 when her career in the insurance industry began. Over the years, she held several positions in Commercial Lines before taking on the role of Marketing & Communications Coordinator in 2018. Julie develops and executes targeted marketing campaigns, developes branded materials and manages the agency’s social media and website. She also oversees the marketing committee with the goal of increasing brand awareness while supporting the sales professionals in building revenue. Julie manages both internal and external communications for HMK including partnering with our parent company, Alera Group, to meet objectives. Julie has a passion for all things creative with an eye for design and a natural talent in communicating to build strong professional relationships.
Julie graduated from DeSales University with a B.A. in Communication and Public Relations. She resides in the Lehigh Valley with her husband and three crazy kids. Outside of work the thing Julie loves most is spending time with her family. She also enjoys volunteering, running, interior design, reading and the guilty pleasure of Bravo reality shows.
Resources
Risk Management Resources
- OSHA Website: https://www.osha.gov/
- OSHA Established Search: https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.html
- OSHA eTools: https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/
- Injury Tracking Application: https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/
- Pa Workers’ Compensation Act- https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workers-Compensation/publications/Pages/WC%20Act/WC-Act-Landing-Page.aspx
- Initial HandS Application- https://www.hands.state.pa.us/HandS.Web/OrganizationRegistration.aspx
- HandS Re-register- https://www.hands.state.pa.us/HandS.Web/Login.aspx
Other Resources
Enroll in AblePay
Comprehensive list of carriers and links to claims sites
Mercy School for Special Learning: Outdoor Area Project
Each Spring, HMK Insurance, an Alera Group Company participates in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Volunteer Challenge Project. In 2022, HMK had the honor of partnering with Mercy School for Special Learning. Mercy School provides children and young adults with special needs the best opportunity to reach their utmost potential by providing academic, art, and life skill services and support. The school needed some assistance in updating its outdoor space. HMK removed the older wooden fence around the vegetable garden and replaced it with a vinyl fence, refinished the wooden playground train, and weather-proofed the benches in the playground area. The HMK team also held fundraisers in our office with the company matching all funds raised to make sure Mercy School did not have to take on any of the costs. The entire project was a fulfilling experience for all of us at HMK. One of the most touching experiences was being invited to lunch each day by the staff and students at Mercy School and sharing meals and laughter with them.
Stronger Together Initiative
Challenging times across our country call for individuals, companies and the community to come together even while physically staying apart. To do so, HMK Insurance and The Insurance Alliance Network have joined forces with our insurance company partners to develop the Stronger Together Initiative.
As an offering of support to both our clients and our community, our agency will patronize a local eatery/restaurant by ordering meals to be delivered to our frontline healthcare and essential workers. Now more than ever, our community restaurants need our support and what better way than to supply our essential frontline heroes with a meal from one of our own partners.
By providing nourishment and business support; we hope to uplift those who need it the most. We will make it through this because we are Stronger Together.
To learn more about this important initiative and all of it’s supporters visit The Insurance Alliance Network Stronger Together webpage
2019 HMK Volunteer Challenge: Easton Neighborhood Center
HMK once again participated in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s annual Volunteer Challenge! This year HMK partnered with The Easton Neighborhood Center which is a local non-profit that supports the community of Easton providing community outreach, food pantry services (including an urban farm which produces 6,000 pounds of fresh produce for the pantry and beyond), and a shelter for families experiencing homelessness. HMK took on a three-part project consisting of updating the kitchen at the community center, building a level path on their urban farm and a home goods drive to provide bedding, kitchen items, bath essentials, cleaning products and window dressings for families at or entering the shelter. HMK would like to thank The Easton Neighborhood Center for all they do for the community and for partnering with us for this incredible rewarding project!
HMK Clothing Drive for The Perfect Fit
HMK partnered with The Perfect Fit For Working Women by conducting a business clothing drive in our office. One of our HMK clients volunteers at the non-profit and contacted our very own Michael Stocker letting him know of their need for women’s clothing. Michael set up the office clothing drive and delivered ten bags of clothes in support of their cause. The Perfect Fit For Working Women in run through the YWCA of Allentown and provides professional work clothes to women without the financial means to afford a suitable wardrobe.
Holiday Hope Chest Drive
HMK has been participating in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Holiday Hope Chest drive for the past 9 years. Each holiday season, HMK staff members stuff wrapped shoe boxes with presents and essentials for children in need of the Lehigh Valley. Each staff volunteer is given a specific age range of child to focus on along with a suggested gift list from the Volunteer Center. Many of us look forward to this tradition each year because of the joy and impact it brings.
100th Anniversary Habitat Home Build
In celebration of HMK’s 100th Anniversary our team decided to build a home with Habitat for Humanity! Every single staff member worked 2-4 weekly shifts over 3 week period to contribute to the construction of the home in Bethlehem, Pa. Total number of hours volunteered were 504! In the end the home was occupied by a deserving Habitat-Partner Family.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
2026 P&C Market Outlook: Preparing for What's Next
Join EVP and Property and Casualty Practice Leader Justin Foa for an informative conversation on key findings and takeaways from Alera Group's annual flagship 2026 Property and Casualty Market Outlook Report.
January 20, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Foundations – Understanding the Multigenerational Workforce
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career planning strategies, review legal and compliance trends and provide actionable tools and resources.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Designing Benefits for Early - and Mid-Career Employees
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career benefit strategies, review legal and compliance trends, and provide actionable tools and resources.
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Agencies Clarify How Certain Fertility Benefits May be Treated as Excepted Benefits
This alert is of interest to all employers that offer fertility benefits or may be interested in offering fertility benefits in the future.
November 4, 2025
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Property and Casualty
Top 5 Insurance Surprises Businesses Face in Q4 — and How to Prevent Them
As year-end approaches, many organizations focus on closing out financials and planning for the year ahead. It’s also the time when insurance programs often reveal unexpected challenges, some avoidable, others the result of shifting market conditions or overlooked details.
October 30, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor health FSAs and qualified transit plans, among others.
October 10, 2025
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2025 Leave Report: Insights to Guide 2026 Leave Planning
Explore Alera Group’s 2025 Leave Report. Benchmark PTO, parental leave, and holiday policies to strengthen employee retention and recruitment as you plan for 2026 and beyond.
October 1, 2025
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