Our sales team.

I have worked in the insurance industry for more than 20 years, and I am a Fellow in the Life Management Institute (FMLI), a distinction earned from the Life Office Management Association. After 12 years in the health insurance field, I joined Homesteaders in 2002 as a customer service representative before becoming Homesteaders’ first Home Office-based account executive in 2009. I’m also a Certified Preplanning Consultant and was named Account Executive of the Year in 2013. My husband Michael and I live in Des Moines, Iowa, and have four children: Garrison, Jarron, Cassie and Natasha. We are also raising our grandson, Jonah. I enjoy all warm weather activities including gardening, camping, boating and watching sports.

Homesteaders is like family to me. My mother retired after 35 years of service, so I have been part of the Homesteaders family for most of my life. When the opportunity arose to join the team, I jumped at the chance. I have formed many strong relationships and continue to support my team and the funeral homes we work with. In my role as a regional director, I’m proud to provide resources to allow my team to offer the best solutions to fit their funeral home customers’ needs. I’m passionate about end-of-life planning, having served funeral homes for more than 10 years as a trusted advisor and resource for information on advance funeral planning. I most enjoy working with my customers to understand their marketing needs and developing plans which lead to a firm’s total success. I’m focused on helping my customers succeed and helping spread the word on the benefits of preplanning and prefunding funerals to help our loved ones through the grieving process.

I earned a bachelor’s degree from Emportia State University, where I majored in marketing and management. After learning about the company and its products in 2001 and attending the Leaders Conference in 2003, I became a Homesteaders account executive in 2004, and became the regional director of the West Region in 2010. Prior to that, I spent 10 years as a preneed agent, working with families to arrange their funerals. I serve on the Sales & Marketing Committee for the International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA), and I have received the Graham J. Cook Account Executive of the Year award twice in my time with Homesteaders. I live in Wichita Falls, Texas, with my wife, Angie. We have been married for more than 30 years and have three grown children and four grandchildren. I am an active member of our Heritage Church family, and I raise and show Arabian Horses in my free time.

One of the things that first attracted me to Homesteaders was the culture. It has such a “family” feeling to me. In my 20 years with Homesteaders, it is the account executives, the funeral homes and the agents I work with that really bring me enjoyment. I love to help others be successful, and I’ve learned a lot from them as well. I work with an incredible team of account executives, and together, we have helped many of our customers achieve their goals. My role as a preneed agent set the stage for me, and I believe it has given me valuable experience to help others. I enjoy passing along things I’ve learned over the years as well as continue to learn from customers and my team.

I attended Indiana University, and I’ve completed multiple certifications through the Life Office Management Association (LOMA). I am a Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) and I hold my life insurance license in Kentucky and Indiana. Prior to joining Homesteaders, I trained as a funeral director, which gives me insight into the needs of the funeral home customers I serve. Throughout my career, I’ve received several sales awards through Homesteaders and other insurance companies, and I spent 13 years serving as an ambassador to the City of Louisville, Ky. I live in Charleston, Ind., with my fiancé, Prentice, and I’m all about my family. I have three grown children, and I love attending my grandchildren’s sporting events — baseball, soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, football and basketball. When I’m able, I enjoy traveling with family and friends.

I joined Homesteaders because of a steadfast belief in their commitment to funeral home customers. As an agent, I wrote for many different insurance companies. When I was looking to advance my profession, I knew Homesteaders was the best in the business. I feel the same way today, and I am always grateful to be working for such a solid company. I work with East region account executives to bring new ideas, support and partnership to every funeral home we have the honor of working with. I know the funeral homes we serve have a choice for their preneed funding, and our team works hard to earn their trust by providing resources they need to exceed their goals. My best days at work are when I can make a difference for our funeral home partners, providing products and services personalized for their businesses that grow their preneed programs and support their outreach with their communities.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Evansville and my Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. I have more than 25 years of experience in the funeral profession and more than 30 years in the insurance industry. I joined Homesteaders in 1999 as an account executive for northern Indiana. In 2010, I was promoted to regional director for the Central region. Since then, I’ve received the Daniel M. Voecks Award for highest annual income, the Territory Development Award twice, the Graham J. Cook Account Executive of the Year Award twice, and the Region of the Year Award twice. My husband Jimi and I live in Sheridan, Ind., with our two dogs, Magic and Cooper. In my free time, I enjoy running, swimming and spending time with family.

Homesteaders has demonstrated commitment to promoting the value of funeral service. Everyone on the Homesteaders team shares in this responsibility, and I’m proud to be part of a company that’s a leader in the funeral service profession. In my role, I work with a team of account executives to ensure Homesteaders is providing the best possible solutions and service to our funeral home customers. Because the funeral service profession is constantly changing, I work with my team to provide resources that meet our customers’ evolving needs. I implement effective coaching and leadership skills to ensure they have the training needed to help you succeed. I enjoy working with my team of account executives to help funeral home customers reach their organizational goals and objectives while helping families design a better farewell.