MEET OUR TEAM
Our mission, for over 50 years, is to create peace of mind and security through a relationship created in building a superior insurance program. Feels Like Coming Home!
Paula Palmer Burns, CIC, CISR
President
734-426-5047
Paula is a third generation Dexter, Michigan resident; raising her family where her grandfather moved his almost a century ago. Currently, Paula and her four daughters are extremely active in Dexter where she continues to be part of a community that has provided so much to her ancestors. Believing that "it takes a village", Paula is a member of the Dexter United Methodist Church, serving on the Communications and Worship Cells, as well as serving and actively supporting multiple non-profit/service groups throughout the region including Ele’s Place Healing Hearts Society , 100+ Women of Washtenaw County, Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, Dexter Band Program, and Dexter Athletic Programs.
Paula has returned to coaching high school volleyball in 2015 and is proud to have the opportunity to inspire young women to reach for their unlimited potential. She is an active member of Michigan High School Athletic Association, Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association, Junior Volleyball Association, and USA Volleyball. She is grateful to have been nominated as Conference Junior Varsity Coach of the Year in 2019.
Paula was on the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over ten years holding the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President during her tenure. In 2006, she was awarded the Spark Plug Award from the Chamber for her dedication, drive, and initiative. She was honored with the DACC Hall of Famer Award in the agency for 2012 for the agency's years of dedication and service to the membership and community.
She received the prestigious designation of Certified Insurance Counselor in 2002 after completing superior training within the insurance industry. She is involved in the Young Agents Council and Young Insurance Professional divisions of the Michigan Association of Independent Agents and the National Professional Insurance Agents organizations. She is a member of the Insurance Agency Owners Alliance and was recognized with a National Leadership Award in 2005 and by the American Legion for her courage, honor, leadership, and patriotism in 1993.
The agency has been awarded the Premier Agency Award and been acknowledged multiple times with the Key Agents Award under her leadership.
Kim Covert
Marketing and Operations Manager
734-426-5047
Kim is a certified educator with a heart for service throughout her community. After working closely on the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce board with Paula Palmer Burns, her ability to manage, advocate, and promote individuals and organizations was a tremendous asset to add to any team. She joined Palmer Insurance in 2017 as the office manager/marketing manager with a focus on support and capitalizing on her leadership and communications skills. With her experience in insurance service and sales going back to one of her first jobs, her strong customer service background, management skills as a former school administrator, and background makes her a perfect fit for our staffing needs.
Kim was raised in Saline, MI graduating high school there where she met her husband. Moving on to get her degree from Eastern Michigan University, she and her husband now live in Dexter with their four children. As a family they are extremely dedicated to their community and serve in many capacities on local boards and through volunteering, both as leaders and members. They are active in scouts, their church, local non-profits, and many other local groups. She also runs and manages her own small business dedicated to helping others succeed through education, organization, and inspiration.
Theda Bates Joffe
Special Accounts Manager
734-426-5047
Theda, while born in Stone Mountain, Georgia, calls Ann Arbor and Dexter “home”. She graduated high school from Dexter then attended Auburn University to continue her education. Returning home when she was finished, she easily rejoined her communities of both Dexter and Ann Arbor. Currently, Theda is raising three daughters with her husband, Matthew on the Westside of Ann Arbor. In the Ann Arbor area for over 20 years, she has kept busy being active in her faith, educational, cultural, and neighborhood communities, Ann Arbor Public Schools and her husband’s family business, Ann Arbor Rug & Carpet Cleaning.
Theda has gone “full circle” and is back at her original desk here at Palmer Insurance. A valued part of the team from 1999-2004 she then took a hiatus from insurance to raise her daughters. With the youngest now in grade school, Theda came back to our office full-time in July 2019. Getting licensed by the State of Michigan Department of Insurances and Financial Services in September 2019 was a natural step for her decision to get back into the insurance world. She has always been family and team focused which she has applied to serving the clients and community here all with that little bit of southern charm she was born with.