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About Us

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Our Newaygo Insurance Agency team consists of local, professional agents who grew up and know our community along with the insurance industry. We know the importance of having an agent who will answer questions you have and advise you on all your insurance coverages.

 

We have been serving the insurance needs of many clients for years and encourage you to call our office at 231-652-1636. You can also complete the Contact Form or click on an agent’s photo to send them an email directly.

Our Team

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Dan Johnson

Agency Owner, Principal

Dan graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the agency as a partner in 2006 and completed the final purchase of the agency in 2013. Dan obtained his Life & Health Insurance License as well as Property & Casualty Insurance License.

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Marcy Johnson

Agency Owner

Marcy graduated from Cornerstone University with a BA in Business Administration. She has been a part of NIA since 2009 and is licensed with the State of Michigan for Property and Casualty Insurance.

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Ryan Seyferth

General Manager

Ryan has spent the majority of his career in contracting and excavating. He joined our team in November of 2017 as an Outside Account Manager in our Farm/Commercial Department. In 2023 he moved to General Manager. Ryan and his wife and two daughters live outside of Fremont where they are very active in the Fall on their Pumpkin Farm.

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Bret Brummel

Chief Financial Officer

Bret joined our team at NIA, in a part time role, in January of 2022. He graduated from MSU with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics. He and his wife currently reside in Newaygo and have a son and daughter in college. Bret enjoys MSU sports, golfing, running and working clock at high school basketball games.

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Michelle Freeland, CISR

Office Manager

Michelle joined NIA in late 2011. She graduated from Cedar Springs High School and has obtained her license with the State of Michigan for Property & Casualty Insurance. Recently, Michelle earned her CISR designation from the state of Michigan. Michelle is married and lives with her husband on a beef farm south of Newaygo.

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Lindsey Johnson

Marketing Coordinator

Lindsey joined NIA in February of 2021. She graduated from Cornerstone University with her Bachelors in Business Marketing in 2019. She enjoys taking her Jeep Wrangler to the Silver Lake Dunes with friends. She currently resides in between Fremont and Newaygo.

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Matt Kempf

Claims/Commercial Resources

Matt came to NIA in October of 2021. He graduated from MCC with a degree in Emergency Services. Matt and his wife reside in Holton and have 2 married daughters. He enjoys time with his family, farming and county fairs.

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Grace Larson

Group Benefits Coordinator

Grace joined our team on a part time basis in 2019 and came on board full time in the Spring of 2020. She graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Grace has earned her property, casualty and health insurance license through the State of Michigan. She has transitioned from our Farm and Commercial Sales Specialist to our new Group Benefits Coordinator. Grace and her husband currently reside in Sparta.

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Laurie Otteren

Account Manager, Life/Health/Medicare

Laurie joined the agency in the Spring of 2016 with extensive experience in the Life and Health arena. She is licensed with the State of Michigan and will oversee the Life, Health and Medicare portion of the agency’s business. Laurie lives in Newaygo with her husband and children.

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Holly Larsen, CISR Elite

Personal Lines Team Leader

Holly came to NIA in February of 2020. She has worked in the insurance industry for over 16 years and is a licensed agent with the State of Michigan. Holly, her husband, and son live in Newaygo and enjoy camping and boating.

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Breanna Queen

Account Manager, Personal Lines

Breanna came to NIA in December of 2018. Breanna grew up in Newaygo, graduated from Newaygo High School and attended Adrian College. She went through licensing class and was able to attain her Insurance License through the State of Michigan in early 2019. Breanna and her daughter currently reside in Newaygo.

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Krista Escalante

Commercial Team Leader

Krista graduated from Newaygo High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Phoenix. She spent 6 years in the banking industry where she honed in her customer service skills before joining NIA in January of 2015. Krista resides in Newaygo with her husband and their three children.

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Teresa Steenhagen, CISR

Farm Team Leader

Teresa came to Newaygo Insurance Agency in early 2010. She has over 20 years of insurance experience and not only has an insurance license through the state of Michigan but has also earned the CISR designation.

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Alex Castle

Account Manager, Farm/Commercial

Alex was born and raised in Newaygo and graduated from Newaygo High School; she earned her Associates Degree in Accounting from Ferris State University. She joined our Agency as an Inside Account Manager for our Farm & Commercial team in September of 2022. In her free time, Alex enjoys playing her violin and sewing quilts!

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Benn Starr

Outside Account Manager, Farm/Commercial

Benn came to our team in March 2021. He went to Grant High School in 2015 and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agri-Business Management in 2019. He enjoys working on his 1996 Ford F150, farming and he resides in Howard City.

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Kylee Zdunic-Rasch

Crop Insurance Agent

Kylee graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management and then earned her MBA from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. Kylee, her husband and daughters operate in orchard in Sparta.

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Lisa Mercer

Insurance Office Assistant

Lisa joined our Agency in August of 2023. She is a Newaygo native and currently resides here with her husband, Andy. She has 3 children: Kennedy, Carlie & Thomas and 2 dogs: Mya & Norman. She graduated from Ferris State University and is managing our front desk for the team!

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