Doug Wiles, CPCU, AAI
President

Doug is a graduate of the University of Florida and has been a licensed Property and Casualty and Life Insurance agent since 1979. He has been chairman and a member of several insurance company advisory boards during his career. Doug has earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designations.

In 2004, Doug completed eight years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, District 20, serving Clay, Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties. He is a retired lieutenant colonel, having served in the US Army and the Florida Army National Guard for 25 years. Doug has worked with a number of local public service organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine, the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the Flagler Hospital Board of Trustees, Catholic Charities and the United Way of St. Johns County. He is an Elder at Memorial Presbyterian Church.


Wayne E. Howell, Jr., CPCU, AAI
Vice President

A Jacksonville native, Wayne graduated from the University of Florida in 1983 with a BS degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, he joined Herbie Wiles Insurance as a Member of the Commercial Insurance Department, where he later served as department manager. Wayne is a minority owner of the agency and presently serves the as the Vice President of Marketing. He has earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation.

A father of two, Wayne is past president of the Historic St. Johns County Police Athletic League and the Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine. He is a past member of the board of directors of the St. Augustine Humane Society and the Betty Griffin House. He is a 2002 graduate of Leadership St. Johns, a senior Ambassador for the St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce and serves as a member of the board of directors for the St. Augustine City Employees Retirement System.


Jeff Helms, CRC, CFA
President, First Coast Financial Advisors

Jeff is a Certified Retirement Coach and maintains the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland and has completed graduate coursework from the American University School of Business, Washington DC.

He brings tremendous depth of experience in the investment industry to his clients. His areas of expertise include portfolio management, financial planning, and estate planning. Jeff began his financial services career in 1985 and was most recently President and CEO of the Advisors Group, a firm with 700 advisors and over $2 billion in client assets. He is regularly quoted in financial industry publications and frequently serves as a guest speaker on investor issues. Jeff is the author of What Great Investors Know: Five Simple Steps to Financial Independence.

In addition, Jeff is the president of The First Tee of St Johns County and is a Board Trustee for the City of SA Pension Board. He enjoys golfing, fishing and partaking in community service activities.


Jim Gallo, AAI
Senior Agent

Jim has been a licensed Property and Casualty and Life and Health Insurance Agent since 1986. He has earned the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation. Since 1999, Jim’s career with Herbie Wiles has been in sales and service.

A native Floridian and Rotary member, Jim grew up in Palm Beach County. He started a family business and moved to San Mateo in 1998. Jim enjoys boating and fishing with his family.


Ralph Klein, CIC
Senior Agent

Ralph is a licensed Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance Agent. As an Account Executive, he has successfully developed target market programs for habitation and church risks as well as restaurants. Ralph works with specialty programs for condominiums, medical malpractice and aviation. He is a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and joined Herbie Wiles Insurance in April 1988.

A 1981 graduate of the University of Florida, Ralph has been active in the St. Augustine community. He is a past Chairman of the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the Sunrise Rotary Club of St. Augustine. He is currently a coach for the U11 Select soccer team of the Ancient City Soccer Club. Ralph enjoys cooking, golf, racquetball and spending time with his wife and three children.


Herbie Wiles
Founder & Chief Financial Officer

Herbie Wiles is a father, grandfather, Navy Veteran of WWII, lifetime resident of St. Augustine, and CEO of Herbie Wiles Insurance.

A 1952 graduate of Florida State University, he obtained his BA in business and, with his mind set on an insurance career, went to work with his father as a State Farm agent. In 1961 he founded Herbie Wiles Insurance. Over the years, Herbie grew his independent insurance group and now, his son Doug manages the daily operations. Herbie still maintains an office and helps guide the business as needed.

An active member of the community, Herbie dedicates much of his time to the St. Augustine Historical Society, Flagler Hospital Advisory Board, Betty Griffin House, and the Presidents Council of Flagler College. Herbie also enjoys getting together with his good friends, his coffee club, golfing, and traveling.