Thank you to our Sponsors of the 2023 Mid-Winter Meeting

Harvesting Sponsors

Illinois Insurance Pre-Licensing Program

Cultivating Sponsors

Planting Sponsors

Save the Date

FAC Golf Outing & Annual Meeting

June 15-16

Registration details coming soon.

Stay Up-To-Date

The Mid-Winter Meeting will be back in 2024, make sure to mark your calendar for February 1-2.

Stay up to date with the Farm Agents Council on our website at www.ilfarmagents.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/FarmAgentsCouncil.

Not a member of the FAC, but would like to find out more? Reach out to us at farmagents@iiaofil.org.

Service Award for Community Involvement

To honor his legacy of volunteerism and dedication to his community and this great industry, the inaugural Service Award for Community Involvement was presented posthumously to Randy Jacobs, longtime FAC Secretary/Treasurer The award was accepted by his wife and sons and will be named in Randy’s honor going forward.

Pekin Insurance Holds Annual Meeting, Announces New Directors & Officers

Pekin Insurance held annual meetings of the following entities: The Farmers Automobile Insurance Association, Farmers Automobile Management Corporation, Pekin Insurance Company, and Pekin Select Insurance Company on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at their Home Office in Pekin, Illinois.

The followi ng directors were elected for three-year terms: Anthony S. Burkhart, Vincennes, Indiana; Brian K. Lee, Pekin, Illinois; and Sheri N. Roser, Carmi, Illinois.

Subscribers elected Anthony S. Burkhart, Vincennes, Indiana; Daniel V. Connell, Tremont, Illinois; Brian K. Lee, Pekin, Illinois; and Sheri N. Roser, Carmi, Illinois, to The Farmers Automobile Insurance Association Advisory Committee.

Pekin Insurance officers elected to the Property/Casualty Companies included: Daniel V. Connell, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer; Craig W. Concklin, Vice Chairman of the Board; Thomas C. Hornstein, Executive Committee Member; Brian K. Lee, Executive Committee Member; Joel M. Jackson, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer; Tyler D. Petersen, Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary; Jocelyn A. Duncan, Senior Vice President; Ryan J. Hanson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Gregory C. Bee, Vice President - Chief Risk Officer; Amy L. Bingham, Vice President - Chief Information Officer; Cynthia D. Blackburn, Vice President – Human Resources; David M. Coughlin, Vice President - Sales & Marketing; Phillip L. Evans - Vice President - Administrative Services, Kenneth D. Klug, Vice President – Chief Claims Officer; Ronald R. Mitchell, Vice President - Chief Underwriting Officer; Aaron Z. Potacki, Vice President - Corporate Actuary - Property/Casualty; and Michele E. Ginther, Assistant Treasurer.

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company Announces Appointments and Promotions

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company announced the appointment and promotion of Dave Ertmer to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Having joined West Bend in 2009 as director of workers’ compensation claims, Dave’s industry background includes almost three decades of insurance experience and strategic leadership. In 2011 he was promoted to vice president – Claims, responsible for all claims operations across the enterprise, and since 2019, he’s served as senior vice president – Claims.

“As we continue toward achieving our strategic goals, we are taking the necessary steps to introduce the COO role to our leadership team. This new position will be instrumental to our operational performance and ensure we’re positioned for the future,” stated Kevin Steiner, CEO of West Bend.

“Dave has a proven leadership track record in operational excellence and effectiveness, coupled with a strong desire to drive strategy and execution. We look forward to Dave’s continued contribution and dedication to our associates, operational excellence, growth, and profitability,” stated Rob Jacques, president of West Bend.

As COO, Dave will continue to lead claims operations and have expanded responsibilities overseeing the business operations. Additionally, he’ll lead the company’s longterm initiatives and goals, including emerging technologies and innovation.

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company has also announced the promotion of Wendy Campbell as Illinois state sales manager. She will oversee state sales efforts while continuing to manage her southern Illinois territory. As a leader of the Illinois sales team, which includes senior regional sales managers Melanie Gavanes, Brad Thompson, and Adam Hade, her focus will be on developing relationships with agent partners throughout Illinois. Wendy is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her insurance career spans over 20 years, serving in a leadership role at an independent agency before moving to the carrier side eight years ago. She has earned her CIC designation and is working towards her CPCU.

SECURA Insurance Names Top-Performing Agencies for 2022

SECURA Insurance has announced its leading agencies for 2022. The awards were presented at the company’s annual Premier Agent Conference held in early February.

To earn this prestigious recognition, independent insurance agencies met specific criteria based on their premium volume, profitability, growth, retention, and loss history with the insurance carrier. SECURA also recognized its top agencies with a variety of other award categories at the conference, including highest producing, highest premium, and best top line growth.

Congratulations to IIA of IL member agency, Beth & Rudnicki Insurance Agency, Inc. of Rockford, for receiving one of SECURA’s top-performing agency awards!