MEET THE CASTELL TEAM
Phil Castell
Agency Founder (And Retired!)
It is no secret that Phil is originally from England, it is obvious as soon as you hear him speak. That said, other than his accent he considers himself a 100% Washingtonian as he has lived here for well over 30 years. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon in 1980. They have two adult children and four wonderful grandsons. Two here in Sequim and two in the Seattle area.
Phil has been a licensed Insurance Agent in the State of Washington since 1987. He loves to find solutions to fit his client’s needs. He has helped thousands of clients with Medicare solutions and Long Term Care plans. Phil has also protected millions of his client’s hard earned dollars in safe, secure, fixed annuities.
Phil is very active in the community as he has served as president of the Sequim Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as numerous other groups and organizations. He has also been appointed to the State of Washington Insurance Commissioner’s agent and broker advisory committee. In his spare time Phil is also a proud member of the Sequim Masonic Lodge, Sequim Prairie Grange and the Strait Stamp Society.
Go-To Midnight Snack: My favorite late night snack would definitely be something savory, and Tim’s Potato Chips – either salt and pepper or jalapeno are top of the list.
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be: I think my favorite dinner guest would be Ben Franklin. Was there anything that man could not do if he set his mind to it. He formed one of the first Insurance Company’s in the US, was instrumental in the formation of Fire Brigades, scientist, politician and diplomat. In my opinion he was the greatest politician and diplomat of his time NOT to become the President. And besides all that he was the Postmaster of Eastern Canada and then the first US Postmaster General, and was depicted on the first US Postage Stamp issued in 1847. Plus, he looks like he loved his food!
John Coulson
Medicare & Life Advisor
John is a native of Washington. A lover of both land and sea, he attended Washington State University and then traveled extensively for almost a year in Europe where he learned how to get by on a wing, a prayer and a thumb. John worked 20 years in the Restaurant /Hospitality industry before getting involved in insurance and moving to Sequim. He has been happily married for thirteen years and has a daughter.
John has been specializing in Medicare and Major Medical since 2006. He can help you navigate the “Maze of Medicare” to find the coverage that fits your needs and your budget. John looks forward to helping you in the future.
Go-to Karaoke Song: I used my favorite go to Karaoke song, “If you’ll be my Dixie Chicken: by Little Feat”, to woo my wife when we were dating. I only had to sing it once and my wife knew there was no other.
Best Meal You’ve Ever Had: During many years of eating/dining and gorging, I have had numerous eventful meals; but perhaps the finest meal I have ever eaten was in Omaha, Nebraska at the 801 Chop House, where Phil Castell and I were dining on fine steaks and wine. The meal included a Bone-In Tenderloin chop, one of only 4 per animal, asparagus, and a very fine wine, topped off with a cigar and a scotch. A meal to remember!
James Castell
Sales and Marketing Director
James was born in Seattle and spent most of his childhood in Kent, WA. James attended the University of Washington and became active in his fraternity and the economics department. While at the University of Washington, James began working for Bank of America as a teller. Shortly after graduation James became Branch Manager of the Bank of America in the Fremont area of Seattle.
James and his wife Sarah moved to Sequim in 2012. Together they enjoy being outdoors, cooking, cycling and traveling. They are proud parents of two young boys, Grayson (10) and Bennett (8). James and Sarah love spending time with their families and friends and have already started recruiting many of them to move to Sequim too! Since moving to Sequim, James spent time on the Board of Directors of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, a local non-profit that provides healthcare to the underserved in the area. He has also worked with local neighborhood homeowner’s associations (HOA) as a local insurance advisor.
Favorite sport to watch: Is ALL OF THEM a reasonable answer? I grew up a sports junkie and love watching any high level of competition from NFL on Sundays to the World Cup every 4 years.
That said if I had to choose one, it would be football without a doubt. GO DAWGS!
How would I spend $1 million: This is where the dorky economics and former bank manager comes in. I’d pay off my house, set some aside for the boys potential college expenses, then with some of what’s left I’d buy a new truck and travel trailer so we can show the boys what the West coast has to offer camping throughout the year! Here is to dreaming right?!?
Stephany Shackelford
Director of Health Insurance
Stephany joined the Castell Insurance family in September of 2013 to assist with the Affordable Care Act. It was a temporary position that has turned into a long-term part of the Castell Insurance family. Before she was in the office being our ACA nerd, Stephany owned an Allstate agency here in Sequim. When she is not at the office, Stephany enjoys reading, knitting, and photography.
What TV show do you never miss?: Game of Thrones, I held out watching for quite a while, but now I wouldn’t dream of missing an episode. Plus, I am listening to the books on Audible.
If you were on an island what 2 things would you want?: I would want my IPAD full of books, music + a solar charger to keep me entertained. I would want my husband, Matt to be stranded with me because he is super handy.
Christy Francis
Medicare Advisor
Christy moved with her family to Sequim in 1970. She attended Sequim schools and feels fortunate to have grown up here. After graduating high school she worked for a few years here locally and then moved to the Seattle area. She worked for the Professional Golfer’s Association for several years and was able to enjoy many of the fine area golf courses. After meeting her husband Bill, who is also a local Sequimite, they moved back to Sequim to raise their two sons, Joshua and Jesse.
Christy has a large extended family and enjoys hosting many family gatherings. Her family spends the summer camping on the Olympic Peninsula either at Lake Sutherland or Kalaloch beach. She joined Castell Insurance in 2010 and is a licensed agent who assists with all functions within the office, taking care of service with Insurance companies and processing policies issued.
Favorite Vacation: I enjoy pretty much any place that has a beach. Although the best vacation
I have been on would be our trip to Kauai, Hawaii. We spent 10 days there and it is a such a beautiful island and I really like the slower pace there.
Favorite Family Tradition: Coming from a large family we have a lot of family traditions from our “Easter Egg Scramble”, “Turkey Shoot” at Thanksgiving or our New Year’s Eve bonfire. However my favorite family tradition would have to be our Oktoberfest / Family Reunion. My relatives from Washington and Oregon get together and enjoy German food, recipes from my Grandmother and homemade beers. (What’s more fun than a bunch of Germans drinking beer and doing the Chicken Dance?) Good times!
Andrea Hingtgen
Home and Auto Advisor
Andrea joined the Castell Insurance family in 2014 and after being a Sequim native, has since relocated to the Seattle area after getting married in 2020. Andrea works remotely from Seattle while commuting to Sequim to see clients in person and spend time with family. While living on ‘the other side’ Andrea, her husband and their dog Gus enjoy traveling, live music and trying new local food/restaurants. She enjoys working with people and loves getting to know the person behind the insurance while making the process easy and stress free.
What would your dream house be like?
Big, open, full of kids, dogs and flowers. Room to roam outside, a garden & a few extra barnyard friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My dad always said when someone asks you how you are, always be positive – they don’t really want to hear the negative and it’s a good way to refocus your negativity to a positive.
Darcy Hagar
Home and Auto Advisor
Darcy is a Sequim native! Darcy started her insurance career at her father's Allstate agency straight out of high school and worked there for 20 years. She joined our team in April of 2020. In her spare time Darcy enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her son Silas.
Favorite Halloween Candy: So many choices! Snickers are definitely an all-time favorite thought!
Most embarrassing fashion choice from your youth: So many to choose from! Bucket hats with platform sandals stick out as the most embarrassing!
Camping or Beach Vacation: Camping for sure! I love sleeping outside in a tent and hanging around the fire with my friends and family....BUT if the beach were in Hawaii then I would probably choose beach over camping any day!
Courtney West
Director of First Impressions
Hello! My name is Courtney, and I am honored to hold the position of Director of First Impressions here at Castell Insurance. I was born and raised in Sequim. I very much enjoy cooking and gardening, being a self-proclaimed green thumb with indoor house plants, flower, and vegetable gardening.
Hanging on the shores of Lake Crescent, swimming and paddle boarding on a hot sunny day must be my favorite thing to do. I would say my guilty pleasure is watching scary movies. When I am not at work, I spend my time with my husband and children. Two of my daughters, Bristol (10) and Lyla (7) are in soccer, so I spend a lot of time at practices with weekend soccer games and tournaments. My oldest daughter, Saige, has lived on her own for many years and recently got married to her husband Daniel. I have two Boston Terriers and they are the most charming, goofy and loving little dogs that complete my family!