Our Team

Joe began his insurance career in 2005 with AIG’s Professional Associates Program, where he trained for a year on all lines of insurance at AIG’s Wall Street location. He then transitioned into an underwriting role with AIG where he underwrote all lines of Management Liability. After AIG, Joe trained with Travelers for a year in their Surety Department. Joe has an Undergraduate Degree from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2018, he became a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) granted by the Certified Risk Managers International with the National Alliance. He is experienced in underwriting executive liability, professional liability, and commercial and contract surety. Joe is knowledgeable of all the services that Livingston Insurance Agency provides to their customers (Surety, Life, Long Term Care, Commercial, and Personal). Joe specializes in providing risk management advice and strategic direction for companies. His favorite thing about insurance is helping people understand how it can be an effective tool to mitigate risk, which ultimately helps businesses succeed. He enjoys working at Livingston Insurance Agency because helping businesses and people become successful is part of his job! When Joe is not working, he is likely to be found playing with his son and twin daughters, spending time with his wife, enjoying a quick workout, or hitting the mats at a Jiu-Jitsu dojo. He is an avid student of history and classic novels, and loves nothing more than reading a great book on the beach!

Rachel was born and raised in West Columbia, SC. She lived in Atlanta for seven years during which time she met her now husband and business partner, Joe Popkowski.  She moved back home in 2012 to join the family insurance business, Livingston Insurance Agency. Her grandparents, Bob and Raye Livingston, founded the agency back in 1958, and Rachel hopes to help keep the business around for another 50+ years. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Furman University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. She began her insurance career at The Hartford back in 2007 after working a couple of years in Long Term Care. She was hired as an Accident Lines Associate Underwriter but rose quickly through the department to become an Underwriting Manager. Rachel is experienced in underwriting Group Travel Accident and Blanket/Participant Accident insurance and has working knowledge of other group products including Life, Disability, and Stand-Alone Accidental Death and Dismemberment.  Since joining the agency, Rachel has continued expanding her insurance repertoire with both Personal and Commercial Lines Property and Casualty products.  Today, she is proud to be able to assist any customer at the agency. In addition to her responsibilities at the agency, Rachel is extremely involved in her community through various organizations and her church.  She is currently Vice Chair of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation, Chair-Elect of the Leadership Columbia Advisory Board, a board member of Pilgrim Community Preschool, and a member of the Community Outreach Committee at her church. She feels the best thing about working in the insurance industry and in an agency like Livingston is the incredible people she meets and the fact that it is her privilege to help find coverage to meet each individual’s needs. When Rachel is not at the office, she can be found spending time with her husband – Joe, son – Joe, and twin daughters – Barbara and Georgia.  She also enjoys working out, going to the beach, and exploring new places all around the world.

Rebekah, a Presbyterian College graduate and granddaughter of Bob and Raye Livingston, came to Livingston Insurance Agency in 2010 after working a few years in the accounting department at Gregory Electric Company.  Mrs. Livingston, a wonderful teacher and mentor, initially trained and guided Rebekah in her emerging insurance career. Rebekah continued to grow as an insurance professional by earning her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation in 2015 and then the CISR Elite designation in 2018.  She enjoys staying abreast of industry trends and information through continuing education classes, podcasts, and industry articles.

Rebekah currently focuses primarily on Personal Lines and Life Insurance at Livingston Insurance Agency as our Personal Lines Account Manager.  Her favorite thing about insurance is helping people by making sure they are insured properly but also just catching up with them on what is new in their lives.  The best thing about working at Livingston Insurance Agency is that it is a family.  While some days are challenging, it is always rewarding to begin and end the day with your family!  When Rebekah is not in the office, she can be found keeping up with her two young boys – Court and Baker, spending time with her husband – Alex, or giving back to her community through the Junior League of Columbia and her church.

Christy was born and raised in Startex, SC. She graduated from Winthrop University in 1998 and moved to Columbia, SC where she married her husband, Jeremy, who worked for the City of Columbia Fire Department. She started her insurance career in 1999 with a State Farm agent and immediately fell in love with helping people create their personal insurance plans. Christy’s Grandfather was a door-to-door Life of Virginia salesman and she grew up watching him love on the people in their community. She has now worked in the insurance industry for over two decades and her favorite thing about insurance is still the people. She has experience with all personal line’s insurance, life and health insurance policies and Medicare. Christy enjoys working with commercial accounts here at Livingston Insurance and is very eager to meet and serve our amazing customers.
Christy and Jeremy live in Lexington and love spending time with their daughter, Katelyn. She loves Jesus, spending time volunteering at her church, road trips, watching college football (Go Vols), and loves sitting on the beach and enjoying the ocean.

Shelley began working with Livingston Insurance in the fall of 2022.  She was born in Savannah, Ga, but was raised right here in Columbia, SC.  She comes to us after a 29 year career with a national corporation and has experience that includes office management, human resources, accounting, sales support and operations.  Shelley has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.   She is very excited to learn more about the insurance industry and she loves the family environment and the community connection that Livingston Insurance offers.  Shelley is married with two grown children and two grandchildren, Emersyn and Colt.   The majority of her free time is spent with her family, especially the grandchildren!  Shelley loves to read and can always be found with a book readily available.  She loves the beach and beach vacations with the family are a summertime tradition.