Left to Right
Jon Voegele, Regional Vice President – Central Region
Kendall Holmes, Vice President, Agency Operations
Tim Harris, Executive Vice President, Agency
Jeff Koerner, Regional Vice President – Southern Region
Jody Wilson, Regional Vice President – Western Region
This publication highlights our unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of the communities we serve. From the beginning, COUNTRY has been committed to enriching lives, and as we celebrate our 100th anniversary, this commitment will continue for the next century. While maintaining that focus, we are also fostering strong relationships with our clients and staying true to our values. Your hard work and tireless dedication to clients is evident as you help clients Experience more.
In addition, you’ve overcome various levels of change within the organization as well as in the industry. Your ability to adapt to change is appreciated and essential to our success. We are proud of your achievements in 2024 and the high standards you are setting for others.
Take time to celebrate your accomplishments and enjoy this latest version of Success. We look forward to watching you and your teams reach new milestones in 2025.
Tim Harris Executive Vice President, Agency
Jon Voegele Regional Vice President – Central Region
Kendall Holmes Vice President, Agency Operations
Jeff
Koerner
Regional Vice President – Southern Region
Jody
Wilson
Regional Vice President – Western Region
Established in 1990, the Hall of Fame honors district leaders and representatives who have qualified for 20 All Americans. The individuals on the following pages have achieved the highest honor in our organization.
“Complacency is the number one killer of
success.
Challenge yourself to evolve, even if it’s uncomfortable.”
In 1998, when my dad joined COUNTRY as a rep, he encouraged me to consider a similar career path. Having just finished college with other aspirations, I didn’t think it was the right path for me. Then I met a very persistent COUNTRY recruiter at a job fair. He introduced me to Jody Wilson, who is now the Regional Vice President for the Western Region.
I was still apprehensive. But, between my dad’s endorsement, and the dynamic culture that Jody was building, I decided to join the team. From the start, it was a perfect fit.
In this career, we get the best of both worlds when it comes to the role we play. We can focus on individual achievement, while also contributing to the larger team’s success. Once you have an established team who can run the office effectively, you will have more time to meet with clients.
Watch Trey's Hall of Fame video
I value the opportunities we have to make a real difference in people’s lives. We’ve always been client-focused, but in the last decade or so, my team’s been able to take our blessings and share them with the community.
I volunteer for local charities, and now my team members also support their own charities. It’s so inspiring to see our shared sense of purpose blossoming in a way that does so much good for people in need.
Together, we’ve transformed our 9 to 5 daily job into something exponentially more rewarding.
• Complacency is the number one killer of success. Don’t lock yourself into a stale routine. Challenge yourself to evolve, even if it’s uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid of new technology or new ideas.
• I was fortunate to have some early successes but after the first five years, I was exhausted doing it all on my own. Even if you’re thriving, you need to surround yourself with other like-minded champions whose mentorship can help improve your business efficiencies and set you up for long-term success.
• Focus on your growth activities, not on the end results. Identify what you need to do to grow and then do it consistently.
• You need to meet with a high volume of people. Nothing happens until you talk to clients or prospects about their needs and ask for the sale.
• Form good habits and be consistent. Your habits will dictate your success or failure. You will get a result from your habits – just make sure it’s the one you want!
• Be a teacher first. Approach each appointment with an educator lense, not a sales lense. When clients are confused, help them understand the solutions we offer.
• You can’t know everything. Whether it’s asking a client for a referral or asking a co-worker how to do something, I’ve found people generally like to help.
My first position out of college was as a sales manager for a seed company selling corn, soybeans and alfalfa to farmers in central Minnesota. Despite being their top salesperson after my second year, it wasn’t the job for me, and I needed a change. A friend of my brother's, who worked as an adjuster for MSI Insurance, suggested I take the same work ethic I attained from growing up on a farm, and apply it to selling insurance. A few short years later MSI transitioned to COUNTRY, and it turned out to be one of the best changes for my career.
One of my favorite sayings is, “He or she who hesitates, loses” and you see that play out every day in our business. In today’s world, clients and prospects expect answers immediately. Not returning phone calls or emails in a timely manner is a guaranteed way to lose trust and clients. If they are reaching out to you, your office needs to be available to respond.
Our industry is ever changing, and we can view that as either an obstacle or an opportunity. I enjoy learning and being efficient, and welcome changes that streamline our processes. Evolutions that support our effectiveness in meeting client needs are a positive change. Yet, some things in our role shouldn’t change – particularly the way we show up for and support our clients.
We are often among the first called after tragedy strikes, or even while it’s happening. Clients rely on us to protect them for those unexpected moments and guide them through the process. There are very few career paths that offer the same rewards of truly helping people when their world is turned upside down.
“In today’s world, clients and prospects expect answers immediately. Your office needs to be available to respond.”
“Ultimately, my success boils down to something we’ve all heard before: Take good care of the clients, and they’ll take good care of you.”
I made a big life change around age 40. I left my job as a grocery store butcher and started a new career with COUNTRY. The change was necessary to give my family the financial security we needed to pay for our children’s education.
I initially came to COUNTRY to make more money, and I certainly accomplished that. But more importantly, I feel blessed to make a huge difference in people’s lives. I quickly learned how rewarding this career can be, and how impactful we are in client’s lives.
There are big opportunities to make a difference for a family, whether it’s delivering death benefits to survivors or helping people understand their financial needs and investment options. But you can also watch out for people in seemingly small ways. Years ago, I helped a client see the value of paying a few extra dollars to have replacement cost on personal property. When the garage later burned down, it made a big financial difference.
Watch Kerry's Hall of Fame video
In my old job, I had to work 65 hours a week to barely support my family. That work ethic made it easy for me to put in the extra time and effort with COUNTRY. Even though I choose to work Saturday mornings, I still feel like I’m on vacation compared to my old job. I’ve always been willing to dig in and do whatever it takes to be successful, day in and day out.
Ultimately, my success boils down to something we’ve all heard before: Take good care of clients, and they’ll take good care of you.
• Be generous in your community. Participate in local clubs and churches. Become the logical choice for people who are looking for professional help.
• Seek out affluent clients, but don’t be fooled by proxies of wealth. A big house or a boat in the driveway aren’t necessarily indicators of wealth, because they come with big mortgages and payments. The real wealth lies with those who are building those houses and boats.
• You have to invest money to grow your business. For example, hire a dedicated employee to schedule client appointments.
Representative
Representative Central Minnesota
Representative
• Must place in the Prestige +Master Sales Support Program tier
• Must receive the Profitability Bonus
Emerald Club honors representatives with $100,000 Net Annualized Life Premium growth during a contest year.
Management
Achievement
Representative
Achievement
Hire/contract date prior to 01/01/2021
Representative
Achievement
Hire/contract date 01/01/2021 and after
Champions are awarded at the Market, Region, and National level. There are 4 brackets of Champions:
• Rookie Rep of the Year Contract date 02/01/2023 - 12/31/2024 (Former District Leaders are not eligible)
• New Rep of the Year Contract date 01/01/2021 and after (Former District Leaders are not eligible)
• Rep of the Year Contract date prior to 01/01/2021 and former District Leaders with a contract date on or after 01/01/2022
• District Leader of the Year
I've been fortunate to have inspiring people around me throughout my career. For starters, I got into the insurance industry because of my uncle, Randy Riekena, and I wouldn’t be here without him. Many others, including my team, clients and community, continue to motivate me.
I love having a career that allows me to contribute to my community every day. From little leagues to first responders and everything in between, I’m able to make a difference in my community as well as in my clients’ lives. Nothing compares to the joy of knowing you positively impacted someone's life and being there for them when the unimaginable happens. When people see that you're genuinely there for them, they tend to trust you more and are likely to refer you to their family and friends, which in turn helps grow your business.
“I’m able to make a difference in my community as well as in my clients’ lives.”
As a rep, it’s important you set yourself apart from others in our industry. That’s why it's crucial to recognize that just because something hasn't been done before doesn't mean it can't be done. I encourage everyone to avoid limiting yourself to traditional business models based on past experiences or expectations. Instead, embrace creativity and adaptability, and think outside the box. When you do that, there is no limit to what you can accomplish and how your business will flourish.
This can be a tremendous career that can provide you with financial and personal freedom unlike any other, but you get out what you put in.
I’m incredibly honored by this National Champion status on behalf of our district and the reps who I work with that made this award possible.
Advice to reps
• Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Instead, focus your time and energy on your clients, business plans and goals.
• Give more than you receive and using your Marketing Co-op dollars is a great way to accomplish this.
• Find reliable individuals or a strong team to work with. Having a supportive team opens more opportunities for both you and your business.
• Stay positive and enjoy the ride.
I never imagined that a simple conversation during a summer baseball game in 1999 would have a profound impact on my life and career, but it did, and I’ve been blessed beyond measure ever since.
Seventeen years ago, I took a leadership course, but at that time, I wasn’t fully ready to embrace leadership. I envisioned myself as a representative for the next 30 years. However, at the end of 2022, an unexpected opportunity arose that pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone. Hesitant at first, I almost let it slip by, but ultimately, I accepted the role of district leader.
When I took on the position, our team was struggling. The camaraderie we once shared had faded, and each rep was working in isolation rather than as a unified team. I knew we had the potential to be great again, and I was determined to lead us back to being a high-performing district.
I reached out to Joe Gergely, my area director, for guidance and dove headfirst into the role. Our team wasn’t performing to its full potential, but I knew we had the talent and heart to succeed. I wanted to be a leader they could trust, someone who would listen, understand, and offer support as we worked together to improve.
• Focus on time management and prioritize where your efforts are best spent.
• Encourage your reps and ensure they have the right support staff in place.
“With a rejuvenated mindset, our performance improved, and within two years, we became one of the top-performing districts.”
Soon, our reps began reconnecting with our Vision and the core values of COUNTRY. With renewed focus and motivation, our performance soared, and within two years, we became one of the top-performing districts. That achievement was incredibly rewarding, but it didn’t come as a surprise. Our reps are exceptional, and their passion is what drives our success.
As we climbed back to the top, our reps became even more engaged. They eagerly asked what more they could do to contribute to the district’s success. Their commitment, especially during uncertain times, speaks volumes about their dedication to the team.
The most fulfilling part of leadership is watching our reps grow, both personally and professionally. Having spent my entire career in this district, I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a remarkable team. The future holds so much promise, and I’m excited to continue this journey with them.
Receiving National Champion status is a true honor, and I am filled with gratitude for the teamwork and dedication of our reps. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without their unwavering commitment. Together, we will continue to grow stronger and achieve even greater things.
• While you can’t control client decisions, you can educate them on the products and services that will best protect their families.
• Leave your computer at the office - your family needs your time and attention too.
Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2024
Jan. 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024
Laura Brugger Alaska
Gary Bryson Alaska
Brad Daggett Alaska
Andra Holmstrom Alaska
Melissa Izatt Alaska
Allison Brock Cascades East
Fabian Clark
Erik Janssen
Christopher Schalker
Eli Volkov
BreAnna Craig
Anthony Kennedy
Dustin Sain
Roger Elton
Morgan Elton
Ryan Grams
Jamie Imus
Jeff Savage
Dane Bauersfeld
Joe Cleary
Dave Dailey
Paul Ely
Rick Kaut
Mike Oliver
Jim Belford
Brian Castellanos
Jeff Benson
Nick Colby
Jason Dufault
Matt Messinger
Al Moreno
Tim Schweiger
Cascades East
Cascades East
Cascades East
Cascades East
Emerald Valley
Emerald Valley
Emerald Valley
North Puget Sound
North Puget Sound
North Puget Sound
North Puget Sound
North Puget Sound
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
South Puget Sound
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Southeast Washington
Jeremy Chapman
Zack Skoglie
Zane Bock
Marc Flores
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon
Spokane
Spokane
Shelton Hansen Spokane
Scott Jensen
John Kapelac
Spokane
Spokane
David Phillips Spokane
Damien Ramirez Spokane
Juli Rasmussen Spokane
Jared Shippey
David Walker
Spokane
Spokane
Michael Rogers Tualatin Valley
Heather Spike Tualatin Valley
Luke Cooley
Tom Goetz
Kirsten McMahon
Jason Nichols
Nick Tyler
Tim White
Drew Young
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Richard Lucas West Portland
Eric Gantenbein West Portland
Amber Nieves West Portland
Brian Rust West Portland
Wayne Cooley
Jason Freauf
Julie Nagaria
Gina Defa White
Adam Alfaqeeh
Sean Connor
Jackson Connor
Adrienne Irwin
Kelly Kapple
Travis Luttmer
Michelle Morford
Brent Satern
Willamette Falls
Willamette Falls
Willamette Falls
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
Luke Ortgessen Denver South
Bryce Kiser
Jake Parmeter
Garrett Diegel
Michael Dolan
Cindy Ledbetter
Sean Marler
Nick Sanseri
Will Zimmer
Heather Bryson
Mary Mathews
Michael Trupia
Jonathan Walter
Zac Wilk
Mark Fuson
Megan Hawkins
Mark Pinter
Kimbra Witt
Alisha Arcaria
Jenna Ferrin
Maritza Montoy
Branden Seedall
Harrison Martin
Chris Chino
Joseph Durk
Rian Kilgoar-Chin
Larry Ransom
Adam Scott
Ruben Torres
Northern Colorado
Northern Colorado
Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Phoenix Metro
Phoenix Metro
Phoenix Metro
Phoenix Metro
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Thomas Jelinski Central Minnesota
Erik Peterson Central Minnesota
Matt Bear Central Missouri
Jeff Jacobson Central Wisconsin
Tyler Riekena Central Wisconsin
Austin Weaver Central Wisconsin
Aaron Angstrom Iowa
Chuy Rivas Iowa
Christian Garcia Kansas City
Kyle Given Kansas City
Ashley Hoeppner
Steve Leeper
Stephen Pirch
Wes Vogt
David Cooley
Todd Nitsche
Jake Clermont
Mandy Bremer
Damien Westcott
Jodi Schmidt
Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City
KC Metro West
KC Metro West
Metro West
Minnesota South
Minnesota South
Northern Lights
Cody Walton Northern Lights
Ryan Boarman
St. Croix Central
Chris Bale St. Croix Central
Joshua McDuffie St. Croix Central
Taylor Metcalf
Jason Wahlberg
St. Croix Central
St. Croix Central
Zach Fox Aurora
Brandon Kopf Aurora
Frank Di Stefano Carol Stream
Agata Kopacka Carol Stream
Eric Miller
Jack Schiltz
Hieu Tran
Sylwia Szaflarski
Matt Huonder
Randall Cox
Carol Stream
Carol Stream
Carol Stream
Chicago North
Chicago Northwest
Chicago South Shore
Mark Price Lake
Brent Bigham Moline
Josh Jackson Moline
Michael Moorhusen Moline
Andy Erler N Will S Dupage
Dan Kniss
Michael Alvarado
Brian Carnes
Tyler Hansen
Eric Henderson
GW Leynaud
Benjamin Nagy
TJ Scruggs
Ryan Skinner
Erin Spivey
Katie Spivey
Stacey Block
Dave Forrester
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northern Prairie
Northwest Illini
Orland Park
Joe Youngman Peoria
Laurie Adams Peoria
Jim Carlson Peoria
Tiffany Cole Peoria
Rachael Gipe Peoria
Joey Olson Peoria
Cam Parr Peoria
Chris Peterson Peoria
Josh Riekena Peoria
Tony Thomason Peoria
Nate Henrichs River Valley
Bob Burd River Valley
Gina Doyle River Valley
Brenna Hildenbrand River Valley
Dan Hollowell River Valley
Chad Ringler River Valley
Mike Scruggs River Valley
Chris Criddle Three Rivers
Joshua Messenger Three Rivers
Matt Slack Three Rivers
Kerry Wickler Three Rivers
Boomer Carmitchel Central Illinois
Jessica Chappelear Central Illinois
Jamie Jones Central Illinois
Jake Surratt Central Illinois
Ty Unger Central Illinois
Jared Zueck Central Illinois
Nathan Hubbard Champaign
Tim Bridges Champaign
Amanda Galloway Champaign
Pete Goodwin Champaign
Kolby Jackson Champaign
Bret Kroencke Champaign
Jordan McDaniel Champaign
Tim Osterbur Champaign
Sandie Smith Champaign
Mark Stutsman Champaign
Tony Wesselman Champaign
Deric Blaha Gateway
Trevor Friedman Gateway
Josh Gerdes Gateway
Travis Huels Gateway
Theresa Richards Gateway
Brendan Wilken Gateway
Keith Wilken Gateway
Rhonda Carter Heartland
Matthew Duffy Heartland
Jamie Green Heartland
Gene Kennedy Heartland
Paul Melzer Heartland
Ian Reinhart Heartland
Natasha Stearns Heartland
Bill Aldrich Illini Central
Jacob Donsbach Illini Central
Jordan Mahon Illini Central
Pat Mammoser Illini Central
Nick Mammoser Illini Central
Gina Mills Illini Central
Nick Patton Illini Central
Mark Luce Illini East
Jim Blue Illini East
Chuck Brown Illini East
Todd Edmundson Illini East
Mark Gladding Illini East
Jake Hankins Illini East
Lauren Holsapple-Clapp Illini East
John Kent Illini East
Megan Schofield Illini East
Sara Sentel Illini East
Matthew Taggart Illini East
Kevin Derossett Illini Prairie
Marlon Eilts Illini Prairie
Casey Holevoet Illini Prairie
Joshua LaCombe Illini Prairie
Michael Lenahan Illini Prairie
Katherine Petersen Illini Prairie
Mike Rich Illini Prairie
Tony Laesch Illinois Valley
Michael Flynn Illinois Valley
David Hoffman Illinois Valley
Jay Hurd Illinois Valley
Lance Moring Illinois Valley
Patrick Sams Illinois Valley
Noah Sarff Illinois Valley
Lori Venovich Illinois Valley
Jake Webber Illinois Valley
John Zaiser Illinois Valley
Josh Finley Kaskaskia Valley
Keith Heiman Kaskaskia Valley
Steve Marek Kaskaskia Valley
Dakota Street Kaskaskia Valley
Steve Stroh Kaskaskia Valley
Greg Thompson Kaskaskia Valley
Elizabeth Houser Mid Illini
Kyler Houser
Jeff Ludwick
Kevin Richardson
Zac Young
Jesse Palmer
Jake Allen
Casey Casey
Doug Greenwell
Ciara Icenogle
Drew Miller
Crystal Peavler
Brett Powell
Connor Smith
Erica Stephenson
Vann Parkin
Eric Craycroft
Lindsey Franke
Duane Jones
Dave Shaffer
Paula Simmons
Tristan Warner
Joe Bottini
Michael Callier
Kollin Gilliam
Dan Griffin
Mike McMullen
Robin Ruhmann
Mid Illini
Mid Illini
Mid Illini
Mid Illini
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Mississippi Valley
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
Southwest Illinois
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
Brad Tinker St. Louis
Jimi Fehrenbacher Wabash Valley
Kyle Hosick Wabash Valley
Tia Morgan Wabash Valley
Steven Thomson Wabash Valley
Tyler Burge
Ethan Crow
Joe Reyes
Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta
David Tabrizipour Metro Atlanta
Leo Yerashunas Metro Atlanta
Marty Hall
Jake Leath
North Alabama
North Alabama
Jeff Tatgenhorst North Alabama
Garcia Toney North Alabama
Kirk Adams
Lee Anderson
Jeff Brown
Bret Huett
Jason Parks
DeWayne Blair
Cody Crumley
Brooke Gibbs
Derek Good
Tiffany Haggard
Jim Haggard
Valerie Crabb
Bryan DeCapite
Howie Fell
Richard Gardner
Connor Hogan
Adam Saucer
Bart Reed
Mike Yvon
Lindsay Doggett
Bart Hester
Cale Hosey
David Pleasants
Jim Smith
Jared Dunn
Jeremy Holderfield
Buddy Johnson
Northeast Georgia
Northeast Georgia
Northeast Georgia
Northeast Georgia
Northeast Georgia
Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia
South Central Alabama
South Central Alabama
South Central Alabama
South Central Alabama
South Central Alabama
South Central Alabama
South Central Georgia
Southeast Georgia
Southwest Georgia
Southwest Georgia
Southwest Georgia
Southwest Georgia
Southwest Georgia
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee