Meet Our Team
When you do business with Community Insurance & Associates, you're supporting local economy, and working with a company who has a deep knowledge of the industry, and who treats it's customers like valued clients, not a number.
As a college dropout In 1990 I began my insurance career to put food on the table for me. When I grow up I hope to be a rocket scientist but with the end of the Shuttle program that dream is all but over so it looks as if the insurance career will stick. In 1994 I successfully completed the Certified Insurance Counselor program so now by paying my annual membership dues I can use some letters behind my name in an attempt to make me look smarter than I actually am. Did I mention that I also didn’t have a high enough GPA so that also killed my rocket scientist dream but if we try to travel into space again that may rekindle my dream.
The agency which I am now part owner of was started by Jim Twetan in the 1940’s bought by my father David Bestul in 1968, in 1976 he added a partner Larry Thoe who until 2010 was my partner, Larry is still on our social board of directors. In 2002 Phil Martin merged his agency into ours which leads us to the present time where we have formed a top flight agency which has positioned us to take off into space. See I might make it to space yet!
I was raised and continue to live in the Iola area, Helvetia to be exact where my wife Stacy and daughter Sydney make our home, we live almost in the middle of nowhere on a gravel road. We were out of power once for 3 days and no one cared! I believe in having fun, giving back to the community and treating people the same way I like to be treated with respect and honesty. Please buy insurance from us so Sydney can go to college!
Born in the Amherst area and raised in the Wisconsin Rapids area I have always had a love for small town living. It’s a wonderful feeling to know a large number of people in the community and to have family close by.
After playing competitive golf at the University of Wisconsin Madison and completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts-Graphic Design, I ventured home to learn the art of insurance and sales from my Dad, Phil.
I have been a proud team member of Community Insurance since 2008 and a Certified Insurance Counselor since 2015. I became a partner with Dale Bestul in the agency in 2015. I love being out in the community and meeting new people. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Image Group of Wisconsin, co-chaired the fundraising campaign for the 2017 United Way of Portage County which raised over $3,000,000, am an ambassador for the Portage County Business Council, spent 5 years coaching golf at the local branch of the University of Wisconsin, and participate in the Golden Sands Home Builders Association. In 2018 I proudly started serving on the board of directors for the International Bank of Amherst. I've recently added a position on the board of directors at the Stevens Point Country Club, taken on the VP position with Amherst PTO, and added Girl Scout Troop Leader (we have cookies in January if you need a dealer! LOL) to my busy plate!
In 2016 I started Robert’s Rendezvous, a non-profit, after the death of my brother Robert in 2015. Robert passed away from mesothelioma which is caused by asbestos. Giving back to the community that embraced and took care of my family during the worst time is a top priority. In 2 short years the annual event has given back over $50,000 to the local community through scholarships and grants all in memory of Robert. I have also spent time in Washington DC lobbying for the ban of asbestos and telling Robert’s story.
I love to travel and will jump at the chance to fly somewhere warm, especially if I can play golf! My favorite part of traveling is to visit restaurants in cities that have been featured on Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins! I thoroughly enjoy cooking and baking while entertaining family and friends!
I am married to my husband, Justin, and we have four children. Family business is alive in our household, my husband heads up his family business too, Blenker Companies.
“Close your eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, there’s no place like home.” –Glenda the Good Witch, Wizard of Oz
I grew up on a dairy farm in Scandinavia. After spending a few years experiencing “city life” while going to college, I met my husband, Mark. We decided the small-town setting was the perfect place to return and raise our two children.
My hobbies include camping with family and friends, shopping with my daughter, and cheering for the Badgers. I especially enjoy spoiling our 2-year-old granddaughter and we are extremely excited to welcome our second grandchild later this Summer.
I joined the Community Insurance team in December, 2013 and have enjoyed learning about the insurance industry which is constantly changing. Every day is different and often presents a new or unique challenge. In 2021, I earned my CISR designation and look forward to building on that education in order to better serve our customers into the future.
I’ve had the opportunity to build a lot of treasured relationships through Community Insurance. As a hometown insurance agent, we are involved in our community and get to know people on a personal level. Helping to offer family, friends & neighbors some peace of mind is the best part of my day.
As a professional insurance agent in a small town– providing exceptional service to all our clients is a top priority. Being involved in the local community, service organizations is an important way for me to give back to our community.
Giving back to my profession by serving on the Board of Directors of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Wisconsin has been a very rewarding experience. This year serving as President has proved especially gratifying.
Providing insurance for any type of need. Life, Auto, Home, Farm, Business.
I was born and raised in the Milwaukee WI area but have always had a deep connection to central Wisconsin. My father built a lake home on Pine Lake near Wild Rose and my Grandparents were dairy farmers in the Marshfield area until the mid 1970’s. My first jobs were in agriculture working on a Christmas tree and later at vegetable farm in the Wild Rose area. After a semester at UW Stevens Point as a Forestry Major I returned to Milwaukee and attended Waukesha County Technical Collage getting a certificate in cooking. I later went to Stratton Collage getting degrees in both Marketing and Business Management. After graduating from college I went on to get a Real Estate Brokers License but cooking continued to be my passion and led me to Chef positions at a number of award winning restaurants in both Milwaukee and Chicago. Finally in 1994 I moved to the Waupaca area and began a career in foodservice sales at both Sysco and Reinhart Foods for the next 20 years. I then decided to pursue a career in insurance and my only regret is that I did not start in insurance sales any sooner. I have been married to my wife Stephanie for the past 9 years. We spend much of our time with our 3 children and 2 grandchildren, and enjoy traveling and the many activities Waupaca has to offer.
I grew up in the Stevens Point area and moved to Amherst with my husband, Chris, 15 years ago. I immediately fell in love with the area and quickly became involved in the community by joining Peace Lutheran Church, becoming the Vice President of the Tomorrow River School District, active in the PTO and a board member on the Tomorrow River Business Association.
Chris and I are blessed with 6 children and 1 grandson. We’ve spent a lot of time traveling the US and have visited 25 states while hoping to visit them all someday. I’m a very active & social person and have also enjoyed being a bartender for 22 years. In my free time I enjoy running, bike rides, paddle boarding and camping.
I worked in the insurance industry before moving to Amherst and felt that it was an ideal career for me, so I was very excited to become part of the team at Community Insurance in October 2019. I look forward to servicing community members with quotes, questions or anything else they may need my help with!
I was born and raised in Amherst, WI. Growing up I always had a passion for playing and attending sporting events with my parents and my older brother. After graduating from Amherst High in 2011 I began college at Minnesota State University – Mankato where I pursued a degree in Biochemistry.
Shortly after I transferred to University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and a couple years later transferred closer to home to University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
After many major changes I decided to take a break from college. My interest in working at Community Insurance & Associates started with a talk from my Grandpa Phil, who encouraged me to look into the insurance industry where he had/has a successful career.
I began my career here in April of 2016 and have since been licensed in Property and Casualty to help you with your insurance needs. On my free time I’m always looking for something fun and exciting to do with friends and family. Campfires, boating trips, playing ball, and attending concerts take most of my time. I’m also an adrenaline junkie!
I enjoy doing activities others might find crazy like skydiving, riding a bull, and I hope to soon add bungee jumping to that list!
I grew up in the Stevens Point/Plover area my entire life, and I love it here! The people in our community are so wonderful. It’s amazing how much we are all willing to help one another. That’s why I have decided to stay here and raise my family.
I have a 7 year old son, who is my everything. He keeps me on my toes, whether it’s baseball in the spring or football in the fall. There’s never a dull moment in our house! In our free time, my family and I are big campers. We love to travel around Wisconsin checking out different camp grounds, and enjoying all the fun activities in the area.
There’s nothing more enjoyable then sitting around a campfire with family, and friends. That’s my happy place!
I started in customer service as a teenager, and decided that’s my calling. Thirteen years later and here I am. I love helping others, and meeting new faces. There is nothing more rewarding then helping someone out.
I’ll be here to greet you when you walk in the door, I can’t wait to meet you!
Coming soon!
I’ve lived in Waupaca my whole life and I absolutely love it here! The community and the people are top notch. I love to be involved in our community. I do so by volunteering as an Ambassador with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, which I have been a part of since 2014 and hope to remain a part of for many years to come.
I come from a long background of restaurant/service work. Starting at Weasels as the bar manager, moving into kitchen manager and finishing with Culinary Services Director at Park Vista Retirement Living. I also did a short stint at WDUX, the local radio station in Waupaca, selling advertising to the local communities and recording some commercials.
I love to cook, bake, garden and spend time in my backyard having a campfire or on a random house/remodel project. It’s so rewarding to see what I can accomplish if I put my heart and soul into it.
I have always been interested in the insurance business and in July of 2022, I took the leap and accepted a position at Community Insurance. I am happy to be a part of this family and look forward to seeing where my future can go.
I can’t wait to help you with your insurance needs! See you soon!
Coming Soon...