Meet Your Sands Agency Brightway Insurance Team

Brightway Insurance agency owner Danny Sands has been serving clients in the insurance industry for more than 16 years and has proudly owned his agency for the past 12 years. He is passionate about helping families and businesses find the right coverage while delivering exceptional customer service, trusted guidance, and personalized insurance solutions.

A graduate of Providence School in Jacksonville, Danny went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Education from University of North Florida.

Danny has been married to his wife, Haley, for 22 years, and together they have four daughters and a Bernedoodle puppy named Cody — the only other male in the house! Outside of work, he is active in his church and enjoys basketball, exercise, and spending time outdoors. Much of his free time is spent cheering on his daughters at their cross country, track, basketball, and soccer events.

Senior Agent at Brightway Insurance the Sands Agency, Ana James has been helping clients navigate the insurance market for over 3 years with a focus on clarity, confidence, and personalized guidance.

Born in Cambridge and raised in the United States from the age of five, Ana brings a diverse background and a people-first approach to everything she does. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Killian, and shares her home with their dog, Dega, and tortoise, Turbo—who keeps life at a pleasantly relaxed pace.

Ana studied dance at Jacksonville University and previously coached varsity lacrosse, experiences that helped shape her discipline, leadership, and passion for working with and mentoring others.

Outside of work, she enjoys fishing, boat days, racing cars, and spending time with friends and family—whether out and about or relaxing at home by the pool.

She is passionate about helping clients simplify the insurance process and make informed decisions, ensuring they feel confident in the protection they choose.

Brightway Insurance agent Sarah Young is dedicated to helping individuals and families find the right coverage to protect what matters most. Having called Jacksonville home for more than 20 years, she understands the unique needs of the local community and is passionate about providing personalized service with care, professionalism, and expertise.

Born in South Korea and adopted as an infant, Sarah has embraced her journey as a proud single mother of two wonderful children. She is passionate about creating a strong, loving foundation for her family while helping guide her children to become confident and successful individuals.

Outside of work, Sarah is a true foodie who enjoys discovering new flavors and restaurants, attending music festivals, and expressing her creativity through crocheting, cross-stitching, and diamond painting. Above all, she treasures the time spent with her children and making lasting memories together.

Whether you need guidance with home, auto, or business insurance, Sarah is committed to making the process simple, personalized, and stress-free while helping you find coverage that fits your needs.

Brightway Insurance agent Jessica Kosel joined Danny’s team in September of 2025, bringing two years of valuable experience in the insurance industry. Originally from Nebraska, she quickly embraced life on the Florida coast after relocating and settling into the local community around Jacksonville.

Jessica is passionate about building strong relationships with her customers and takes pride in making sure they are properly protected while also finding opportunities to help them save money. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is getting to know the people she serves and providing guidance they can truly trust.

Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, beach days, exploring her neighborhood (including the occasional search for alligators), and cheering on her children at their sporting events.

Born and raised in Northern New York, Nate Rose moved to Florida in 2022 after 23 years of cold winters and ice hockey. After becoming licensed, he joined the Brightway Insurance team with a passion for making insurance coverage clear, practical, and easy to navigate so clients can feel confident in how they’re protected.

Outside of work, Nate is recently married and enjoys spending time with his fur-baby, Parker. In his free time, you can usually find him watching football, relaxing at the beach, or out on the golf course with friends. Highly driven and people-focused, Nate genuinely enjoys helping others protect what matters most and providing a positive, personalized experience for every client.

Originally from Jacksonville, Elissa Stewart spent much of her life between Jacksonville and Orlando before finishing high school in Houston. She later returned to Jacksonville to attend University of North Florida, where she earned a degree in Business Management.

During her college years, Elissa spent several years working hands-on with children with special needs, providing therapy and support that strengthened her passion for serving others and building meaningful relationships. Her dedication to helping people continues to guide both her personal and professional life.

Elissa is committed to creating a positive, personalized experience for every client. She believes client satisfaction is the foundation of exceptional service and strives to provide dependable guidance, clear communication, and genuine support in every interaction.

Outside of work, Elissa enjoys staying active through volleyball and fitness, spending quality time with family and friends, and caring for her two cats, Zoe and Tia.

Originally from Buffalo, New York and now proud to call Florida home, Bob Arnold is a Licensed Risk Advisor at Brightway Insurance – The Sands Agency. With a master’s degree in Operational Leadership and a background in risk assessment and operations management, Bob brings a strategic and personalized approach to insurance. Rather than simply focusing on price, he is passionate about helping clients fully understand their coverage, identify potential gaps, and build protection tailored to their unique needs and lifestyle.

Before transitioning into insurance, Bob worked in both domestic and international consultative and operational leadership roles where accountability, performance, and results were essential. He played a key role in helping Kornit Digital expand into the Latin American market, contributing to strategy and market growth efforts across five countries. That experience provided a strong foundation for navigating complex decisions, building customized solutions, and delivering exceptional client service.

Today, Bob carries that same mindset into every client interaction. He believes in clear communication, honest guidance, and helping people make informed decisions to protect what matters most.

Outside of work, Bob enjoys hiking, staying active outdoors, and spending time with his dog, Edgar.