Our Team

Working For You

 

Experienced and ready to help.

We’ve been growing with our clients since 1976.

Western Agency was founded in 1976 by Chuck Tompkins.

Chuck was a native North Dakota farm kid who understood the importance of crop and farm insurance first hand, he developed Western Agency to serve primarily the farm and small-town insurance market.

Now, we’ve grown to become the region’s largest independent insurance agency and the mission continues to help our neighbors on farms and ranches, in North and South Dakota. Our experience has expanded over the years to include business coverage for oil and gas, retail, transportation, and more. 

Today the agency is managed by Ryon Boen and continues to serve North and South Dakota representing more than 1,250 farms, 750 commercial properties, and countless Western Agency policyholders.

Commitment to our Clients & Our Team

Western Agency Management Team

While there are a lot of complexities and risks when it comes to running, managing and working in a business, we’re well-versed in how to keep you protected at every level.

We’re proud of our dedicated team and the work they do to help you focus on what you do best. We look forward to getting to work for you soon.

 

Ryon Boen

Chief Executive Officer

Email: Ryon @ Western-Agency.com

Ryon began his insurance career in 2007 after serving as vice president of products for TestQuest, a software engineering company in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. Here, he led the engineering, development and new-product launch for a variety of software products in both domestic and international markets.

An engineer by trade with former roles at Caterpillar and Phoenix International, he joined Western Agency as a farm insurance agent, quickly assisting in the agency’s growth, which has more than doubled the past seven years. He was appointed CEO for Western Agency in 2010, following the retirement of former owner Chuck Tompkins.

He earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering/computer engineering from North Dakota State University and his master’s of business administration/strategic marketing from Moorhead State University, now Minnesota State University Moorhead. He and his wife Kristen and their three kids live in Minot, N.D.

Kristi-Bertsch

Kristi Bertsch

Director of Acct Services & Commercial Marketing

Email: kristi@western-agency.com

Kristi brings over 30 years of insurance experience to Western Agency. She specializes in commercial lines and construction bonds. Her priority is to form strong relationships with clients and find the best possible coverage available.

Kristi is a Minot native. She is married with two children and six grandchildren. She enjoys spending most of her spare time with her family. When she is not with family, Kristi enjoys cattle ranching, racing, camping, and gardening.

She enjoys lending a helpful hand in the Minot community whenever she has an opportunity. She is passionate about her community and the people she serves.

Jackie Larson

Vice President of Farm Operations

Email: Jackie @ Western-Agency.com

Jackie began her insurance career with Western Agency over a decade ago after spending multiple years in the medical field. The change in careers was a stark one, but the constant has been the role of helping people.  Jackie’s industry knowledge and experience has been directly influenced by working in every capacity at the agency since her start.   While her relationships with her clients are paramount, she is passionate about her work with the sales and support staff to ensure that Western Agency is consistently providing the best service possible.

Jackie and her husband, Steve, live in Minot where he operates the family farm. Both enjoy spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the lake, and supporting youth activities in their community. She and Steve often have a “project” underway to keep them busy.  Jackie is also a member of the Agribusiness committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce.

Upon thinking of Western Agency, Jackie recalls the support she received during the flood that occurred in 2011. Her family, like many others in their community, was caught off guard by the order to evacuate. The Western Agency family  – clients and agency personnel alike, provided trailers, tools, and the support she needed during evacuation and beyond. She continues to be thankful for the quick action from the owners of Western Agency and her ability to keep her family in Minot.

Dallas Varty

Sales Director

Email: Dallas @ Western-Agency.com

After spending over twelve years in the refined petroleum industry, Dallas was excited to start a career in the insurance industry at the beginning of 2020. Through finding opportunities for growth and efficiency, Dallas is always ready to provide current and past clients with sound advice and helpful risk management tools.

In his spare time, Dallas enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 children, and his friends. In his offtime, he can be found on the golf course or working cattle with his brother. He serves as a board member for the Minot Country Club, dedicating his efforts to introducing golf to more children and adults in the Minot area. Dallas is also involved with the Souris Valley United Way Backpack Buddies program, which helps to provide food for children in need.

Our Guiding Principles

Several mottos over the years have summarized our commitment to our clients and the companies we represent. One was: “We are the farm and small town insurance experts.”

Our current motto is: “Our business is to protect your assets.”

However, our original motto still sums up our belief in providing the best service available anywhere, at any cost, anytime; it is: “25 hours per day insurance service.”

It’s what guided our company for more than three decades. Some clients, who have been with us since the beginning, understand this first hand.

Meet Your Local TRUSTED AGENTS

We’re in your community or the next one over! Helping across North and South Dakota in local offices is how we do business. 

With an extended team of more than 40 trusted insurance agents, customer service representatives, crop insurance analysts and claims managers we’re the largest independent insurance agency in the region.

See All Office Locations

Western Agency

OPERATIONS & SUPPORT TEAM

Director of Finance & HR

Since 2022

Lacey Krueger

Email: Laceyk@western-agency.com

Lacey graduated from Minot State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management. She was previously the CFO at a local credit union for 12 years. Lacey loves working with numbers and ensuring everything is in balance!

Lacey and her husband spend their free time chasing their three children around. They make sure to enjoy the summers outside, whether it is in their garden or at the park. Lacey enjoys traveling, reading, and playing sports.

Lacey serves on the Board of Directors for Independence, Inc – a local non-profit that assists those in the Minot community living with disabilities in removing barriers to living independently. She also volunteers with Junior Achievement in the local schools.

Senior Crop Insurance Analyst

Since 2007

Maggie Bennett

Email: Maggie@western-agency.com

Maggie will be celebrating 13 years with Western Agency as of Dec. 26, 2020. After beginning her time at Western Agency at the front desk, she quickly became a part of the Crop Insurance Department. Maggie is passionate about extending a helping hand to her clients.

She consistently provides great customer service every step of the way, from the initial sign-up to making sure payments are delivered as soon as possible after a loss. Maggie has recently become a new homeowner and has enjoyed working in her garden to grow zucchini, honeydew and cantaloupe.

In her free time, she is part of a competitive pool league. From 2008-2011, her team won the ND State Pool Championship title each year in the women’s division. Maggie also spends her summers fishing, practicing archery and reading a book in the park.

Crop Insurance Analyst

Since 2019

Medora Bennett

Email: Medora@western-agency.com

Medora joined Western Agency in 2019 as a crop data analyst. She’s our in-house, go-to data and information gatherer so our team can be a greater resource for our clients.

When she’s not digging through data, you’ll find her with her camera exploring her community and helping keep the local parks clean along the way. Medora is a fan of reading books, watching movies, watercolor painting, and the work she does at Western Agency.

Receptionist

Since 2008

Sandy Sherlock

Email: Sandy@western-agency.com

Sandy has been the initial point of contact at Western Agency for the past twelve years. Working at our front desk for more than a decade, she knows the ins and outs of the insurance industry and helps our team do their best. She enjoys greeting clients at the door and on the phone, and appreciates our friendly and helpful staff.

Outside of working for Western Agency, Sandy is the bookkeeper for her family’s trucking business, Genuine Draft Transportation, Inc. She also works to maintain her husband’s old farmstead where they house their equipment by mowing the grounds, running for parts, and keeping the equipment clean.

Receptionist

Since 2023

Dru Bogden

Email: Dru@western-agency.com

Dru is ready to welcome you to our Minot office. She is enjoying getting to know our insureds and helping to guide them in the right direction. Get to know Dru next time you are in the office!

If Dru is not at work, she is enjoying her summer at the lake. She loves to be outdoors and travel to new places. Dru is involved in the Minot Park & Rec department as a volleyball official and event supporter.

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