John D. Decker, AIC
President

John Decker, AIC began his career in the insurance industry immediately following graduation from Widener University in May of 1978 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He commenced working as a property adjuster handling claims throughout the State of New Jersey. As his career progressed John began specializing in adjusting larger fire claims; the accounting background makes John uniquely qualified to handle the more complex commercial losses. John has adjusted myriad seven figure personal and commercial lines losses including one of the largest personal lines fire claims in the country on behalf of the Chubb Group in 1996. He earned his Associate in Claims designation through the Insurance Institute of America and studied building damage estimation at the Vale National Training Center. John was appointed President of Decker Associates in January of 1990. Under his leadership the company expanded operations in 1999 and again in 2004 to include Branch Offices at the Shore and Southwestern Jersey areas. John supervises a staff of fifteen adjusters and manages twenty plus corporate accounts. He recently functioned as team leader in developing a proprietary software solution (DMS) to manage information and to ensure compliance with client protocols.
John continues to handle property claims in excess of seven figures and is routinely requested to represent insurance company in formal appraisals. Moreover, he is frequently nominated as Umpire by peers.
John is recognized as an expert in estimating property damage by various New Jersey Courts. He is a member of the Independent Insurance Adjusters of New Jersey, the New Jersey Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators, the Honorable Order of Blue Goose International and the Loss Executives Association. He is a regular attendee of the annual Property Loss Research Bureau Educational Conference and has studied at the National Forum of Property Loss Professionals.

Andrew M. Sternheim, AIC
Vice President

Andrew Sternheim graduated from Stockton State College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Following graduation Andrew was recruited by Decker Associates as a property adjuster. Andrew’s reputation as a “natural” property adjuster grew quickly in the New Jersey claims field as he began to handle larger type commercial and personal lines claims. He earned his Associate in Claims designation through the Insurance Institute of America and secured his license to adjust property claims in the State of New York.
Following years of accomplishment, Andrew was promoted to Vice President of Decker Associates in January of 1995 and in 2005 he was made a principal of the Corporation.
Andrew regularly attends the Property Loss Research Bureau Educational Conference and assists with the company’s mentoring program.

David A Faber
Adjuster

David graduated from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1987 with a degree in Business Management. Immediately following graduation Dave was recruited by TechniScan Corporation as a Title Analyst. He was promoted to Field Manager prior to accepting a position with Decker Associates in November of 1989. During his tenure at Decker, Dave has taken courses at the Insurance Institute of America. Dave is proficient in Xactimate as well as other software applications. He is highly regarded for his outstanding interpersonal skills and specializes in handling property claims.

Joel P. Menzzopane
Branch Manager

Joel is a 1973 graduate of Lehigh University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Following graduation Joel was employed by GAB Business Services from 1974 through 1988. He handled both commercial and personal lines property claims and was promoted to Branch Manager. In 1988 Joel was recruited by Cigna Insurance Companies and obtained Outstanding Performance Awards for ten consecutive years. Joel's career training includes Vale National Advanced Estimatics, Advanced Computer Estimating, Salvage Handling Techniques, Commercial Roofing Seminar, and Boiler and Machinery Seminar. He is an associate member of the Monmouth County Agents Association.
Joel joined Decker Associates in 1999. He was promoted to Branch Manager of the Barnegat Office in 2005. Joel specializes in adjusting property claims in the Shore area and has developed a sterling reputation with Decker Associates clients.

Lawrence S. Schmieder
Adjuster

Larry is a graduate of DeVry Technical Institute with a certification in Electronics. He has worked as a General Contractor with a focus on residential construction. In 1994 Larry was recruited by State Farm where he was trained as an adjuster at their school in Bloomington, Illinois. With Larry’s unique technical background he was promoted to the State Farm Large Loss Unit where he routinely prepared Xactimate estimates in excess of $100,000.00. Larry joined the Decker Team in December of 2001 and has earned the reputation of being capable of adjusting property claims of any size or complexity.

Pat S. Santorsola
Adjuster

Pat Santorsola is a 2003 graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, in Sociology and a Minor in Criminal Justice. Following graduation he was recruited as a Commercial Property Field Adjuster with the St. Paul Companies. Pat joined the Decker Associates Team in January of 2006. Pat has completed various courses in claims under the aegis of the Insurance Institute of America. Prior to joining the Decker Team he worked several catastrophe operations including Hurricane Charley (2004), Hurricane Francis (2004), Hurricane Jeanne (2004) and Hurricane Katrina (2005).

Leonard J. Matyka
Adjuster

Leonard Matyka is a 1981 graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He began his career in the insurance industry with The Hartford Insurance Company. He has held various claims positions before joining the Decker Associates Team in October of 2006. Len holds a property adjusting license in New York and has attended myriad workshops and courses during his career. He is capable of handling commercial and personal lines property claims of any size.

Ronald C. Wengert
Adjuster

Ronald Wengert is a 1980 graduate of the University of Bridgeport – School of Engineering with a major in Business Administration and Finance and a minor in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to joining the Decker Team in April of 2007 he was a business owner for over 23 years. He has considerable experience as a general contractor as well as insurance restoration projects. He has supervised both personal and commercial projects from emergency mitigation to final phase of reconstruction. Ron holds a contractor’s license in the State of New Jersey. He has served as appraiser for various insurance companies as well as building damage expert.
Ron is a member of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration. He holds IICRC Certification in Water, Mold and Fire Restoration as well as Certified Installer of Dryvit EIFS products. He has taken courses in Vortex Drying – Dewald Structure Drying School; Purosystems Course on Subrogation Investigation; Science of Drying for Carpet Restoration; IR Course in Soot Removal and Cleanup; Xactimate Estimate and Xactimate Sketch.
Ron’s unique experience makes him a tremendous asset in adjusting building claims of any size.

Adam Foster, AIC
Branch Manager

Adam is a 1996 graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Additionally, he has earned the Associates in Claims designation and is proficient in Xactimate. He was employed as an independent adjuster for six years prior to joining the Decker Team in October of 2007. Adam has worked two major catastrophes; Hurricane Francis and Ivan (Florida – 2004) and Hurricane Katrina (Louisiana and Texas – 2005). He has been instrumental in the growth of our Burlington operation servicing claims in an accurate and timely manner. In light of his technical expertise he has been promoted to Branch Manager where he will continue to handle commercial and larger property claims in Southern Jersey while guiding the Burlington staff.

Joseph E. Fahrney
Adjuster

Joseph Fahrney is a 1992 graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance. Joe was a pitcher on the nationally recognized NCAA Baseball Team while attending the University. Following graduation Joe began to work as an independent adjuster handling both property and casualty claims. Joe developed a reputation for timely reporting, accurate estimating and outstanding interpersonal skills. These qualities were essential in building a large following of insurance claims managers and examiners. Decker Associates recruited Joe in September of 2008. He is capable of handling complex commercial and property claims of any size.

Byron P. McCarthy
Adjuster

Byron is a 1975 Rutgers University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Byron has been adjusting insurance claims since 1966. He began his career with Nationwide Insurance Company prior to starting his own independent adjusting firm in 1977. Byron was a successful entrepreneur in his own right prior to joining the team of Decker Associates as a part-time adjuster in 2008. Byron specializes in handling personal lines homeowners claims in the South Jersey territory.

Adam J. Biamonte
Adjuster

Adam’s claims career commenced with State Farm Insurance Company in 1991 while continuing to serve in the Army National Guard. He was employed as a Large Loss Claims Specialist with State Farm for over 15 years handling adjustments of various size and complexity throughout the State of New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining Decker Associates in May of 2010, Adam was employed by The Hartford Insurance Company as an Outside Claims Representative. He is proficient in Xactimate and has experience handling both personal and commercial lines adjustments of any size.

James M. Matroni
Adjuster

James is a graduate of Xavier High School, Manhattan, New York and a 2005 graduate of Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Immediately following graduation he was recruited by The Hartford Insurance Company where he began his career in the Claims Call Center and was quickly promoted to Supervisor and a member of the Quality Control Team. Subsequently, James was transferred to Inside Claims Representative handling property claims. Excelling as an inside adjuster James was once again promoted to Property Field Adjuster handling commercial and residential claims in Southern New Jersey. Additionally, he served as a member of The Hartford Independent Adjusters Oversight Team. James attended training courses in building damage estimating at Vale in Mechanicsburg, PA and is proficient in Xactimate. In July of 2010 James joined the Barnegat Branch Office of Decker Associates where he handles property claims in the Shore area.

Glen J. Ricciardelli
Adjuster

Glen is a 1993 University of Scranton graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering. He furthered his education attaining a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Seton Hall University. Glen was employed by AT&T as a Network Planning Engineer for nine years prior to purchasing a restoration franchise. He owned and operated the restoration company for two years prior to being recruited by “Decker”. Glen is certified by IICRC as a Water Restoration Technician and ACAC as a Certified Microbial Remediator. Glen has earned the Xactimate 27 Level 3 Certification and is currently pursuing his Associates in Claims designation through the Insurance Institute of America. His unique combination of engineering, estimating and finance skills makes him qualified to handle a variety of property losses. Glen is available to handle claims in central and northern New Jersey counties.

Monica J. Mullen
Adjuster

Monica is a 1984 Georgian Court University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Monica was employed by High Point Insurance (formerly Prudential Property & Casualty) as a Senior Property Field Adjuster for over 22 years prior to joining Decker Associates. She has experience handling larger property claims and mentoring other team members at High Point.
Monica has completed Advanced Estimatics, Advanced Property and Auto Physical Damage at Vale National, and is proficient in Xactimate estimating. She is available to handle property losses in the New Jersey shore area and southern counties.

Mark J. McAndrew
Adjuster

Mark is a 2004 Pennsylvania State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Crime, Law and Justice; and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Mark began his career with Nationwide Insurance as a Master Property Claims Representative in 2005. In 2008 he became a member of the Nationwide Insurance National Catastrophe Team and participated in catastrophe response tours for two years. In 2010 Mark was employed by The Hartford Insurance Company as an Outside Claim Representative handling first party residential and commercial property claims in southeastern Pennsylvania. He is proficient in Xactimate 27 and managing claim files. Mark also worked as a subcontractor performing electrical work for NECAD, interior and exterior painting prior to entering the insurance industry.
Mark’s experience in handling claims combined with his skill set qualifies him to handle a variety of property losses in Southern Jersey as well as Philadelphia area counties.

Chad Murphy
Adjuster

Chad is a 2005 Dean’s List graduate from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He was employed by Travelers of Parsippany, NJ as a Claims Adjuster for the past four years prior to joining the Decker Team.
Chad is experienced in handling first party homeowners claims and routine commercial losses. He was deployed in several Catastrophe operations while working for Travelers. He is proficient in Xactimate estimating and possesses exceptional communication skills. Chad is available to handle property losses in the South Jersey counties.

Vincent Policano
Adjuster

Vincent Policano is a 1990 New Jersey City University, Cum Laude Graduate with a B.S. in Marketing. Vincent began his career as an Adjuster processing Automobile claims for Prudential Insurance Company in 1988. This was followed by a position with American Loss Control as a Senior Claims Adjuster where he had his start as a Homeowners field adjuster. Prior to joining Decker, Vincent was employed as a Senior Claims Adjuster for MetLife handling various sized property claims in Manhattan and Northern New Jersey. He was nationally ranked in the company’s top 10th percentile for the most accurate claims processed. He also received recognition for superior customer service. Vincent brings 24 years of claims handling experience to Decker Associates and is undoubtedly an asset to our professional team of adjusters. Vincent handles first party claims in Northern Jersey counties with an emphasis on personal lines.

Robert Gorgia
Adjuster

Robert is a 1996 Graduate of West Morris Central. Following graduation he held positions in Sales and Accounting with Merrill Lynch as well as Bear Stearns of New York. His career in the insurance industry commenced in 2007 when employed by The Philadelphia Contributionship as a Field Representative I. His performance and achievements enabled him to advance rapidly to Field Representative III. Robert joined Decker Associates with experience in first party personal lines as well as liability claims and handles these types of losses in the Northern Jersey counties.