Our Team

Maxwell Merhar (Max)

Max is the Vice President of The Merhar Agency and is third a generation agent. He continues the Merhar family tradition of protecting the financial well being of the agency’s clients.

Max was born and raised in Willoughby, graduating from Willoughby South in 2006. After high school he continued on to Kent State University, where he earned his Bachelor Degree. During his time at Kent, Max became a member of the Zeta Lambda Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, where he preformed his duties a Risk Manager. While in college Max obtained his Property and Casualty and his Life and Health insurance licenses.

A few years after graduating college Max married his college sweetheart Leah Campbell, and they now have two beautiful children. During his free time Max, enjoys spending time outdoors with his family hiking, fishing, golfing and riding ATV’s.

Mike Merhar

Mike took over as the Agency Principal of the Merhar Agency from his father Jerry in 2013, continuing the family tradition of providing trusted insurance and financial advice to our clients throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. With his younger brother Max as a partner they look to continue to grow and expand the Agency and provide needed advice and protection well into the future.

Mike has spent the majority of his life in Willoughby. After graduating from Willoughby South in 2002 Mike went on to attend Kent State University. Knowing early on that he wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps Mike obtained his Property and Casualty and Life and Health Insurance Licenses after during a summer break from college and began to work in the agency on weekends and summer breaks. While at Kent State Mike became a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and graduated Magna cum Laude with degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

Mike still lives in Willoughby and tries to remain active in the community and loves to give back whenever possible. Mike gives his time a number of local boards and committees. Notably he is on the Willoughby Board of Zoning Appeals, Willoughby-Eastlake School Board, and the Lake County Republican Central Committee.

Mike enjoys spending time with his family, and absolutely LOVES being an Uncle to Max’s children. He is an avid yet poor golfer and a diehard Cleveland Sports fan and still looking for that special woman to settle down with.

Darlene (Noda) Phillips (Dar)

Although you can’t tell by her picture, Darlene has the most insurance experience in the Merhar Agency. She started in 1972, working after school, at her father, Jerry Noda’s Nationwide Agency, in Eastlake, Ohio. When her father retired to Florida in 2000, Darlene brought her insurance skills and customer care to the Merhar Agency, as Office Manager.

Darlene loves our customers like family and spends much of her day looking for ways to save this family on their insurance cost. When you speak with Dar, you realize that you are part of her family.

Darlene is married to her husband Ernie, has two grown sons and four grandchildren, all still living in the Lake County area. Darlene’s life, outside the office, centers around her family and her church

Betty Denholm

Betty arrived at the Merhar Agency with her best friend Darlene. Betty had worked for many years, with Darlene, at the Gerald Noda Agency. Betty continued her position with the Merhar Agency, as a customer service representative and Darlene’s right hand and assistant.

Betty lives in Highland Heights with her retire insurance agent husband, John. Betty and John have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Marykay Magri

Marykay Magri is a 32 year veteran in the insurance industry. Marykay was licensed in 1993 and she served as Office Manager for the Bryan Noda Agency from 1996 to the present. In June of 2018 the Noda Agency merged with and is now a satellite office of the Merhar Agency.

The best part of Marykay’s job is working with so many wonderful people, both staff and clients. Making the insurance buying experience easier and friendlier is a daily goal, along with providing outstanding customer service.

When Marykay is not being an insurance agent she loves spending time with family and friends, and “glamping” in her RV. She is looking forward to being a first time Grandma later this year.

Brian W. Kelly

Brian W. Kelly brings over seven years of experience in the insurance industry, dedicating himself to ensuring his clients receive optimal coverage while saving costs. With a genuine passion for assisting others, Brian thrives on building strong partnerships with his clients.

Originally from Southern West Virginia, Brian relocated to Ohio approximately two decades ago. Prior to his insurance career, he was renowned as a top-rated local radio personality and actively served as a first responder in his local communities. Brian also holds the esteemed position of President of the Geneva Area Grape Jamboree, the fifth-largest festival in Ohio.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Brian cherishes spending quality time with his family and beloved dogs at his camp. You might also catch him lending his voice as an announcer at various local events or auto races.