Newsmakers in Insurance & Employee Benefits

Jonas Arjes joined Branson-based Akers & Arney insurance firm as a corporate account executive, handling all types of business policies and corporate employee benefits programs. Arjes, a Swedish immigrant, is a graduate of Branson High School and Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in administrative management in 1991. A former restaurant owner, Arjes earned his Missouri insurance license earlier this year, and this month he will finish The Risk Reduction Training Approach, presented by Florida-based Sitkins Group Inc.

Pat Ahlstrand joined Barker Phillips Jackson. Ahlstrand has insurance experience in the large manufacturing, large construction and food and beverage industries. Previously, he was with Nixon & Lindstrom, where he was recognized as the 2005 Agent of the Year.

Sharon Brown joined Barker Phillips Jackson as a customer service agent. She has 21 years of experience in the insurance industry, with 14 years in personal insurance and seven years in commercial. Brown has earned several certifications, including certified insurance counselor and accredited customer services representative.

Heather Ward joined Barker Phillips Jackson as a customer service representative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Arizona State University and has prior experience in insurance and business. She is licensed to handle commercial insurance.

Two Springfield Allstate Insurance Co. agencies were recognized for being among the top Allstate agencies in the nation. The William Helfrecht Agency is among 5 percent of Allstate insurance agencies and financial specialist firms to be invited to the Allstate Chairman’s Conference. The Corina Stagner-Everhart Agency is among 10 percent of Allstate agencies nationwide to be invited to Allstate’s National Conference.

Eighteen local American Family Insurance agents were recognized for customer satisfaction and excellence with the Distinguished Insurance Agency award from J.D. Power and Associates. They are: Melony Dennis, Lee Freeman, David Haik, Steve Heintzelman, Brian Hemingway, Cristy Hume, Mary Ann Joyce, Mark Lightner, Gene Loge, Scott Loveland, Danny Marra, Kim Norris, David Potter, Van Revell, Marlin Wallace, David Willingham, Kathy Wells and Teresa Zucchini-McClish. The recognition is based on a two-part evaluation process, comprising a customer satisfaction and measurement against a national benchmark established by J.D. Power and Associates’ annual auto and home insurance customer satisfaction studies. Only agencies that perform in the top 20 percent of all agencies nationwide are eligible for Distinguished Insurance Agency honors.

Kenny Teague, insurance and financial services agent for Farmers’ Insurance Group in Springfield, has been inducted into the Topper Club for Farmers’ top sales producers. Entrance into the club is based on the achievement of production and performance goals in areas such as training and customer service. The award is given to the top 10 percent of Farmers’ agents. This is the eighth year of membership for Teague.[[In-content Ad]]