A rich history and a bright future
Farmers Union Agency, Inc. was established in 1947 to meet the insurance needs of Minnesota Farmers Union members. Over our 75 year history, we have broadened to include all of rural Minnesota, the urban market, and the businesses which serve them. Today we have 37 agents in 38 offices located throughout the state of Minnesota.
Our agents are members of the communities where they do business and are actively involved with local organizations, events, and volunteerism. They are committed to providing comprehensive, quality insurance products and service to fit the needs of your family. Farmers Union Agency serves hundreds of families, farms, and businesses who pay over $60 million in insurance premiums for property, casualty, life, health, and annuities.
Our Management & Staff
Josh Vickerman
President
Josh Vickerman, CIC, LUTCF
President
Phone: 651-288-4070
I have been involved in the insurance industry for over 15 years as both an Agent and District Manager, and was elected President of the Agency in 2019, replacing Rodney Allebach, whom I consider a friend and mentor. Each year my passion for the industry continues to grow as I understand the complexities of insurance and the impact it can have on people. People are why I got into this business. When my three young sons ask me what I do, my answer is simple. When something bad happens to someone, like their house burns down or they get in a car accident or even if they die, Dad is a part of helping them get their life back together. Each day this career provides constant variety, change, education, and re-education. I am a proud CIC and LUTCF certified insurance person. My wife and I are active in our church with the Sunday school program, ushering and hosts of other items. I am passionate about sports, particularly the Minnesota teams including the Vikings, Timberwolves and Gophers. Our family favorite squad is the NDSU Bison football team, 5 Time National Champions. I love fitness, playing golf, spending time at the farm and on the lakes, cooking/grilling and entertaining. History fascinates me, and Brooke and I enjoy traveling when time permits. A fun fact people may not know about me is I once performed at the halftime of a Minnesota Timberwolves game. My true passion, however, is my family. I am blessed with the best wife in the world, Brooke. She puts up with more than she should and I can’t imagine going through life without her. We have four strong, beautiful and smart boys: Tommy, Henry, James, and Jack. Our free time consists of chasing our kids around to sporting and other events and hanging with people who like doing the same!
Robin Rohde Keller
Director of Operations
Robin Rohde Keller, CIC
Director of Operations
Phone: 651-288-4071
Insurance has always been a part of my life. After learning the ropes in my father’s independent agency, I have spent the last 25+ years serving insureds and insurance Agents, as an insurance Agent (I hold active Property/Casualty and Life/Health licenses), industry consultant, continuing education instructor, commercial marketer and in 2015 joined Farmers Union Insurance Agency as Operations Manager. I feel my rural roots growing up in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and passion for customer service pair well with the agency’s mission. Investing time in relationships is very important to me, including being an active member of Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents, participating in and attending lots of events for our kids (think lots of soccer games and band concerts) and making memories with family and friends. Each winter finds me fundraising and polar plunging to benefit Special Olympics. I am fiercely proud of my alma mater and enjoy events and involvement with the University of Minnesota. My husband Mike and our four kids (Sam, Theo, Owen and Leah) keep life crazy good. Committed to living life to the fullest, I have survived open-heart surgery, ran trail races in the mountains of Colorado, jumped out of an airplane and continue to explore new opportunities…just out of my comfort zone.
Jared Harding
Director of Sales - Commercial Lines
Jared Harding, CIC
Director of Sales - Commercial Lines
Phone: 651-288-4091
I grew up in Shoreview, MN, and am a proud alumni of Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, MN and Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN. I am licensed in property, casualty, life and health, and have been selling financial products and insurance since 2003. I’ve served a variety of roles in my professional career, including Branch and District Manager, commercial insurance Agent, and Marketing Representative for a national commercial insurance company. In my free time, I really enjoy spending time with my ‘girls’ (wife Kristina, twin girls Hazel & Frankie, son Eddie, and American Bulldog Nellie), traveling with my family and friends, spending time outdoors on the lake boating and fishing, on the golf course, or at TCF Bank Stadium watching Gophers Football. Ski-U-Mah!
Jim Hickey
Director of Sales - Farm & Personal Lines
Jim Hickey, AFIS
Director of Sales - Farm & Personal Lines
Phone: 651-288-4077
I grew up in a rural agriculture community in Northern Illinois where I worked learned the value of hard work and a strong work ethic working on the farm, as well as part time jobs mowing lawns, detasseling corn and working at a equipment dealership during high school. After graduation, I enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1984-1995 in both Active Duty and the Air Force Reserve. During this time I attended and graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management. I worked at a John Deere Dealership for several years, prior to beginning my insurance career in 1996, when I opened and operated an Allstate Agency for 5 years. I then began several insurance career roles including agency sales management with Farm Bureau prior to joining Farmers Union Insurance where I spent 12 years as a Senior Farm Underwriter. I began my career with Farmers Union Agency in January 2020 as Sales Director of Personal Lines and Farm which has allowed me to utilize all of my past agency sales, management and underwriting experience as well as the strong work ethic and team work skills that were developed in my youth and again in the Air Force.
I live in Dayton with my wife Carrie, and we have two adult children, Allyson and Drew, who reside in the Minneapolis area. We are active members in our church community, as well as active with groups assisting Veterans. My passions are anything involving the word Jeep, John Deere, and anything aviation (with a particular passion for the history of the B-17 Bomber aircraft in WW2), and traveling, but above all is spending time with family and friends. I am also an avid DIYer on home projects, which for me stands for “Destroy It Yourself – then hire a professional."
Sandy Shapiro
Director of Sales - Health & Life
Sandy Shapiro
Director of Sales - Health & Life
Phone: 651-288-4079
Sandy started his insurance career as an Agent selling Life Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance, and Mutual Funds for Mutual of Omaha. He continued his sales career at both HealthPartners and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota where he had front line sales roles and management positions - including Vice President of Community Accounts at Blue Cross, where he managed a network of 3,000 Brokers. He also was responsible for designing, developing and implementing their current Blue Partner Program. At HealthPartners, he developed and ran monthly marketing, sales and underwriting meetings, provided direction and management of health solutions goals to commercial individual purchasers and Individual and Group Medicare purchasers, and developed innovative market solutions such as 24/7 online care growth, Consumer Directed Health Plan initiatives, and mobile solutions for consumers. He also participated in the successful implementation of the ACA for HealthPartners.
Sandy’s experience in Agency Management at both HealthPartners and Blue Cross was directly responsible for significant increases in both new sales and retention. His expertise from his multiple management roles with both carriers made him a trusted leader in Medicare and Individual Sales Solutions and Administration. He has hands-on experience in all market segments including Medicare, Individual, Small Group, Mid-Market and National Accounts. Additionally, he designed and implemented sales training programs and consultative selling as Director of Sales for BCBS and in his role on the Senior Sales Leadership Team at HealthPartners.
Sandy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Jodi both grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and reside in Edina. A huge sports fan, Sandy follows all of the local teams.
We’re thrilled to have Sandy as part of our team with his impressive skillset and visionary leadership.
Danielle Brown
Commercial Account Executive
Danielle Brown
Commercial Account Executive
Phone: 651-288-4072
I have been in the insurance industry since 2014. Prior to my current role as a Commercial Account Executive with Farmers Union Agency, which I started in January of 2020, I was the CSR or our agent Ben Caron, in Bemidji, MN for 4 ½ years. I also did a short stint as a CSR for an agency in Huxley, IA when I moved closer to my family but ultimately, I decided I belong back here in Minnesota. I work closely with Director of Commercial Sales, Jared, in assisting agents with finding carriers to insure commercial accounts. I truly enjoy the challenges of this position and working in the state office. Prior to my career in insurance, I served in various sales, service, and leadership roles for JCPenney from 2001-2014 at multiple locations. I also have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University. In my free time, I enjoy working out, attending concerts, comedy shows and sporting events, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, reading, traveling (especially to Las Vegas where I try to visit at least once a year), and spending time with my dog, Surly.
Emily Olson
Accountant
Emily Edwards
Accountant
Phone: 651-288-4073
I grew up and currently live in Centerville, MN. I joined the FUA team in 2017, as the Information Specialist, I now am the Accountant for the agency. I obtained my Property Casualty licensure in 2018 and am currently working towards my CISR designation. I graduated from Century College in 2017 with my Associate of Arts degree, and an Accounting Associate in Applied Science. Prior to joining the FUA team, I worked at Culvers for about four years and at US Bank as a teller for about a year. I also have volunteered for Special Olympics of MN, United Hospital, Feed My Starving Children, and Second Harvest Heartland. In my free time I enjoy reading, streaming movies and TV series, visiting state parks, bowling, and taking my dog, Lucy, on walks. I spend many weekends throughout the year at my family’s cabin, located in Huntersville, MN. I enjoy traveling and seeing the country, I have taken road trips to California, Washington D.C., and Florida.
LaTisha Suchier
Executive Assistant
LaTisha Suchier
Executive Assistant
Phone: 651-288-4080
LaTisha and her husband, Tom, live in Oakdale, MN and have three (adult) children: Kayty, Caleb, and Hailee. LaTisha coaches Girls’ Hockey for the Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association. She is also an avid bowhunter, and enjoys fishing, softball and golf, spending as much time as possible outdoors, and spending time with her family - especially grandson, Keith.
Andrew Hickey
Agency Development Coordinator
Andrew Hickey
Agency Development Coordinator
I was born in Stevens Point, WI and lived there throughout my adolescent years before bouncing around between both Phoenix, AZ and the Greater Twin Cities Area growing up; and now I currently reside in downtown Minneapolis. After completing my undergraduate studies in Phoenix, I started my insurance career on the claims side as a small auto claims adjustor and dabbled in property claims which helped give me great exposure and experience in the industry. Following that, I worked in the higher education field as a University Admissions Counselor for my alma mater, Grand Canyon University. This position allowed me to gain experience in sales, marketing, finance, interpersonal communication, and relationship building. My prior experience in these two positions put me in a position of excitement to help serve Farmers Union Agency, our State Office, Agents, and ultimately our clients in a variety of different ways from both a marketing and communication standpoint.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending a lot of time attending local events happening in my town, downtown Minneapolis. I enjoy going to art shows, galleries, festivals, concerts, block parties, and many other miscellaneous events. I have found there is always something unique and interesting happening downtown and have come to grow and love the community there. I also participate in many sports and athletic leagues, primarily basketball, softball, pickleball, and volleyball as well.
Bev Krall
Information Specialist
Bev Krall
Information Specialist
I have lived in Minnesota since 1981, and made Eagan my home since 1993. I grew up on a farm in Western Wisconsin, where helping other was taught at an early age It has become a passion now and this role puts me back into that arena. I volunteer with American Diabetes Association, Minnesota DeMolay, Feed My Starving Children, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, and you may even see me out walking trails near my house with a bag picking up trash.
I have been involved in the insurance industry since 1998, as an executive assistant for Austin Mutual Insurance Company and Main Street American Insurance. Prior to my career in insurance, I worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a tax executive assistant, and before that I served at various companies as their bookkeeper. I graduated from Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, WI with an Accounting Associate in Applied Science and have taken several courses at Hamline University and the University of Minnesota.
When I'm not working, I'm spending time with my husband Tony, sons Andy (and his wife Dana) and Ben, along with our grandsons Nolan and Cullen. Tony and I enjoy golfing, hiking/walking, reading, and traveling as well as watching whatever sports Nolan and Cullen are involved in, mostly hockey, baseball, and soccer. Some of our travel adventures have taken us to the rand Canyon which we've hiked twice, hiking the Fife Coastal Path in Scotland (about 100 miles), and various places in England, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece and many domestic locations here in the United States, especially Key West, FL.
Roberta Malone Oliver
Account Executive - Personal Lines & Farm
Roberta Malone Oliver
Agent Service Representative
I was born in Madison, WI, but grew up in Cottage Grove, MN. As a youngster, I also lived in St. Louis, Nashville, and Omaha as my father was in the oil business and relocations were often necessary. I started my career in nursing, but transitioned to insurance in 1997, working for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota before marrying and relocating to Colorado Springs, CO. I lived in Colorado for over 20 years and worked for Farmers Insurance, holding several different roles within the agency force including customer service and retention, sales management and agency management. I was also the district life insurance specialist with Farmers for a couple of years and served on many agency advisory committees throughout the state. I often achieved the top three honors in the company for personal lines and life insurance sales and retention both personally and on the agency level. I also owned and operated an independent agency for two years where I held direct appointments with dozens of carriers.
Living in Colorado for so many years, you can’t help but embrace the outdoors and the mild climate. Nearly every weekend would be spent in the mountains enjoying the beautiful Colorado weather and scenery while indulging in favorite pastimes; hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing, camping, kayaking and skiing. Having raised my children, it became a 5 year plan to relocate back to the Minnesota/Wisconsin area to live closer to my parents, siblings, old friends and the water! I currently live just outside of Prescott, WI and am very happy to have returned to the Midwest, spending time at the cabin and water skiing again! I am very excited for this position at FUA Insurance to work with clients, agents and multiple carriers. I love the opportunities that come with working with a variety of carriers to find the right coverage to meet individual’s unique needs.
Behind the Shield
Helpful news to make the most of your insurance and learn more about FUA.
Farmers Union Agency Donation to Second Harvest Heartland
No one can grow, maintain good health or reach their full potential if they are hungry. A surprising number of our…
FUA September Food Drive
During September’s Hunger Action Month, Farmers Union Agency held an Agency-wide Food Drive collecting non-expired, non-perishable food and personal care items…
FUA Community Clean Up
Giving back to our community is one of our Agency’s core values. On Friday, June 18th, the FUA State Office Staff…