Advocates for Property Owners

Founder & Principal Public Insurance Adjuster

Joseph “Joe” Connelly is the Founder and Principal Public Insurance Adjuster of Recovery Insurance Adjusters, where for more than 20 years he has represented homeowners, business owners, condominium associations, commercial property owners, and real estate investors exclusively on complex property insurance claims.

Since founding the firm in 2004, Joe has helped policyholders recover millions of dollars in insurance settlements following fire, water, hurricane, flood, wind, and other catastrophic property losses throughout Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.

Joe’s professional foundation was built in his family’s New England real estate business, where he developed hands-on experience in construction, building systems, property operations, financial analysis, and residential and commercial real estate management. As the youngest of seven children, he learned the business from the ground up, gaining the practical knowledge and work ethic that continue to define his approach to complex property claims today.

Before entering the insurance claims industry, Joe managed Class A office buildings, Harvard University healthcare facilities, higher education campuses, and large residential communities. This experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of construction standards, building systems, property valuation, capital planning, life-safety requirements, and real estate operations.

That background gives Joe a distinct advantage when evaluating major property losses involving commercial buildings, multifamily properties, condominium associations, mixed-use developments, and other complex real estate assets.

Throughout his career, Joe has represented policyholders on some of the nation’s largest and most technically challenging residential and commercial insurance claims. His experience includes high-rise buildings exceeding 25 stories, multi-structure communities, commercial facilities, and disputed property losses with individual claim values exceeding $18 million.

These matters have required detailed analysis of construction costs, building codes, structural and mechanical systems, business interruption, replacement cost, depreciation, flood coverage, code upgrades, and insurance policy language.

Joe earned his degree in Business Management from Suffolk University in Boston and furthered his education through advanced studies in building systems, technology, building codes, and life-safety programs at Boston University and George Washington University.

A lifelong New Englander, Joe has owned a home in Maine since 1996. His longstanding connection to the state, combined with decades of experience working with commercial and residential properties throughout New England, gives him a strong understanding of the region’s real estate market, construction practices, aging building stock, seasonal conditions, and weather-related property risks.

Joe is recognized throughout the insurance industry for his expertise in large-loss and complex claims. He previously served on the Executive Board of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and is a member of the American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.

He currently serves as Vice President of the Windstorm Insurance Network, one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to property insurance education and professional development. Joe is also a Certified Insurance Appraiser and faculty instructor committed to advancing professional standards within the property insurance claims industry.

Joe’s commitment to leadership and public service extends beyond his profession. He previously served as President of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce and as a Trustee of the Stuart/Martin Chamber of Commerce. He was also appointed by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the quasi-judicial Board of Zoning Adjustment.

In 2024, Joe expanded Recovery Insurance Adjusters’ Northern New England presence with the opening of the firm’s Portland, Maine office. Today, he leads the firm’s operations in both Florida and Northern New England.

Joe is an active member of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is committed to helping Maine property owners, developers, investors, lenders, property managers, and community associations better understand insurance risk, property-loss recovery, and strategies for protecting the long-term value of their real estate assets.

Under Joe’s leadership, Recovery Insurance Adjusters has built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and results. The firm represents only policyholders—not insurance companies—and works to help clients receive the full and fair settlement available under their insurance policies.

“Our mission is simple: to level the playing field for policyholders and help ensure they receive every dollar they are entitled to under their insurance policy.”
— Joe Connelly

Cathleen Owen joined the Recovery Insurance Adjuster’s Team in 2017 in the capacity of Office Manager. Originally from Fort Lee, New Jersey; Cathleen continued her career in Real Estate Development when she relocated to Boca Raton, Florida in 1982.

She moved to the Treasure Coast in mid-1990 and joined the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida as Marketing Director. Cathleen also served as the Director of Community Development for New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and raised more than $2Million for the construction of the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Center in 2011.

Cathleen’s enjoys travel, golf and spending time with her family right here in Stuart, FL.

Priscilla Vega is a licensed Florida Public Adjuster with Recovery Insurance Adjusters, where she advocates exclusively for property owners throughout Florida, helping them navigate the insurance claims process after fire, water, hurricane, mold, and other property losses. Her mission is simple: ensure policyholders receive the fair settlement they are entitled to under their insurance policy.

Priscilla began her insurance career after earning her Certified Adjuster designation in 2018 and quickly expanded her expertise through advanced training in Xactimate estimating, roof inspections, and complex property damage claims. Since joining Recovery Insurance Adjusters in 2019, she has successfully represented homeowners and business owners, managing every stage of the claims process—from documentation and estimating to negotiation and final settlement.

Before entering the insurance industry, Priscilla spent many years in healthcare, caring for and advocating on behalf of seniors throughout South Florida. That foundation of compassion, integrity, and service continues to define her work today, earning the trust of clients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Beyond her profession, Priscilla is deeply committed to the Treasure Coast community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Class of 2022. Her dedication to business development, networking, and community service has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Jane Rowley Networker of the Year Award and the Business & Industry Professional Service Award.

Whether assisting a homeowner after a hurricane, helping a business recover from a catastrophic loss, or educating the community on protecting their property, Priscilla’s passion remains the same: advocating for people when they need someone in their corner the most.

Recovery Insurance Adjusters was delighted to welcome Jane Rowley to our team as the St. Lucie County Community Liaison.

Jane’s history in St. Lucie County includes serving as a Representative on the City of Port St. Lucie Council, President of the Treasure Coast Hospice www.treasurehealth.org Board for 12 years, Director of Public Relations & Marketing for West Development & Tradition from 2001 – 2016.  She served as a Board Member of Indian River State College from 2001 – 2016, and as President of the St. Lucie County 100 Club.  She also served on theSt. Lucie Medical CenterBoard for 9 years.

Jane and her husband Eugene are proud parents of three sons and owned a Floral Design & Catering Business for more than 25 years.  They have enjoyed traveling the world when they found spare time.

Among other not-for profit organizations Jane has served include Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Safe Space of St. Lucie County, and as a Board Member of the Port St. Lucie Policy Foundation.

Daniel Sierra moved to Cape Coral Florida in 1989 from the suburbs of Chicago, IL, having studied Business Administration at DePaul University, His extensive experience in the construction industry includes insurance claim related water damage remediation and restoration, and storm damaged roof replacement. He also represented industrial and commercial construction manufacturing producers of paint, low slope roof design, and coating application.

A proud father of five sons, one serving in the US Air force; and 6 grandchildren; Daniel is an avid reader enjoying the subjects of history and human psychology. In addition to his continued work-related education, work-out activities, and occasional visits to our beaches; Daniel responsibly cares for his elderly parents residing in Stuart.

Daniel proudly represents Recovery Insurance Adjusters working together with clients and their insurance carrier to resolve the issues related to their claim for damages to their property in the best interest of the Policyholder.

Deborah (Debi) Wisneski is a dedicated and licensed Public Insurance Adjuster committed to protecting the rights of policyholders. Bringing 24 years of experience to the table, Debi levels the playing field for property owners dealing with fire, water, and weather-related damage. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of the insurance claims process, she knows that navigating a claim can be overwhelming. That is why she approaches every case with fierce advocacy and personalized attention. From the initial damage inspection to the final settlement negotiation, Debi ensures that every loss is meticulously documented and rigorously pursued so her clients receive the maximum compensation they are rightfully owed.

Patrick J. Forbes joined the Recovery Insurance Adjusters team in 2024. Having personally experienced the loss of his home during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Patrick is passionate about advocating for people who have been impacted by a disaster, helping them to achieve a fair and equitable settlement from their insurance carrier.

In addition to being designated a certified public adjuster, Patrick is also a Florida licensed real estate agent. Prior to relocating to Stuart in 2019, he managed one of the largest independent businesses on the New York Stock Exchange for 25 years, working closely with his four siblings and father in the family business. Patrick has always enjoyed a stellar reputation for integrity, hard work, and providing the highest level of customer service.

Patrick’s wife teaches Latin at Treasure Coast Classical Academy; his son, a former police officer, is currently working in health insurance; and his daughter will soon be graduating from Florida State University.

Patrick brings extreme professionalism, keen intuition and a drive to help others. Recovery Insurance Adjusters is delighted to welcome Patrick to our team.

Catherine Stoner is a licensed public adjuster and joined Recovery Insurance Adjusters to serve homeowners in Greater Central Florida. In addition to Cathy’s insurance expertise, she possesses an extensive understanding of the real estate market, both of which will assist her in advocating for clients with their insurance carrier in the claim process. She is a graduate of Hillsboro College with Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration and Management. Cathy is committed to providing professional and knowledgeable customer service as she works with homeowners in navigating their insurance claim.