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

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.

Casey Tompkins

Vice President of Commercial Operations

Casey is one of Western Agency’s longest-serving agents with a career that kicked off in 1981 and specializing to lead the Commercial Department in 1991. Casey received the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors designation in 1995 and is an expert in contractors and contractor surety bonding. He’s proud to help protect clients and move the Western Agency brand forward as one of the most respected agencies has been the most enjoyable part of his insurance career.

Casey’s hobbies include his 2011 Shelby Mustang and most notably as it’s driver in the NV Silver State 100 Road Race in 2011. He also owns Tompkins Partners Real Estate with his wife Tammy. He gives back to the profession by serving on the ND Professional Insurance Agents Association board and the Agents Continuing Education Committee. His community is important to him too and he finds time in his busy schedule to volunteer for Surrey TWP and served as a Surrey Township Board Officer.

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.

Jackie Larson

Vice President of Farm Operations

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.

AMY Perlichek

Commercial lines manager

Amy has been in the insurance industry since 1988 starting her career at 21 years old. She joined the Western Agency team in 2013 with experience in commercial insurance and bonding. After recently earning her CIC designation in 2020, she has continued to relentlessly pursue the best coverages, premiums and claim outcomes for her clients. 

In her spare time, Amy and her husband are empty nesters with adult children living in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Montana. The couple enjoys camping with their two dogs in the North Dakota state parks during the summer months. They also frequently travel to see their children and are hopeful to be grandparents in the future. 

Dallas Varty

Sales Director

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.

Meet Your Local Experts

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 insurance experts, 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

Controller

Since 2014

Barbara Sagsveen

Barbara brings years of experience to our team. Before beginning her role as controller at Western Agency, Barbara held other financial and leadership positions in Mohall and Lansford organizations. Her time at Western Agency has pushed her to develop as a leader and achieve her long-time career goal.

Outside of work, Barbara immensely enjoys the company of her granddaughters. She loves to bake with her “expert chocolate chip cookie maker Evie”, read, and travel. Before moving to Minot, she was very active in her church and her community. Barbara is currently planning to find a local office to help serve those in need, such as our families, the elderly, and those that are homeless during this unprecedented time.

Assistant Controller

Since 2020

Andrea Hood

Before coming to Western Agency, Andrea graduated from Minot State University with a degree in accounting in 2015. She became a certified public accountant in 2017, and spent five years working in public accounting before entering the insurance industry in 2020. She is happy to say that Western Agency has welcomed her with open arms and she is excited to contribute to our diverse team. 

When Andrea and her husband aren’t looking after their two dogs, they enjoy traveling, camping, listening to live music, and playing pool and billiards. Andrea admits to having a competitive side and enjoys her time playing in the adult recreation leagues for softball and volleyball. Every July, Andrea volunteers and contributes to the Prairie Pothole Music Festival, which is a grass-roots music festival dedicated to regional and international musicians, artists and tradesmen, near Anamoose, North Dakota.

Office Manager

Since 2017

Michelle Gessner

Michelle began her insurance career nine years ago before joining Western Agency in 2017. Since then, she has grown with the company and worked as a sales associate, customer service representative, account manager and office manager. Michelle has enjoyed expanding her insurance knowledge and is rewarded by the work she’s accomplished for her clients.

Michelle, her husband, and their three daughters live on their family farm north of Granville. Her father helps them to raise Angus Cattle and take care of the farm. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys camping with her family and friends. She also serves as the secretary and treasurer for the McHenry County Farm Bureau and is a TGU Granville FFA Alumni.

Senior Crop Insurance Analyst

Since 2007

Maggie Bennett

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

Emily Roen

Emily joined Western Agency while attending NDSU and chose to continue a career in insurance to support the ag industry. She’s an asset for producers in our crop and farm department where she helps navigate the differences between each operation and make sure they have the coverage they need.

Emily’s biggest reward is being able to provide answers and support for growers in the most challenging crop years and being able to learn about different agricultural practices and varieties. Emily and her husband live on a farm south of Minot, enjoy local horse events on the weekends, doing DIY projects, and working on the long-time family farm operation.

Crop Insurance Analyst

Since 2019

Medora Bennett

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

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 2014

Pamela Nagle

Pamela joined the Western Agency team in June 2014 and is the first hello that many of our clients hear when they call or stop in.

She’s the ultimate task master as her work at the front desk includes many different duties, but her favorite is working with clients. Pamela is happy to be in Minot with her son, but enjoys sunny Florida and visiting her grown daughter when she can.