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LYNN MILLS CIC Lynn started Mills Insurance in July of 1994, after having been in the insurance industry in Sioux City for 17 years. In 1995 the office expanded with the addition of Keith Shellhammer as a partner changing the name to Mills Shellhammer & Associates. Several people who had worked with Lynn and Keith for a number of years also joined the firm at that same time. On January 1, 2003, Joe Puetz became a stockholder along with Lynn and Keith to form Mills-Shellhammer-Puetz & Associates, Inc. the largest locally owned independent insurance agency in Sioux City. Lynn was issued the designation of CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and specializes in managing commercial accounts, with an expertise in tough casualty lines for truck or trailer dealers, trucking companies both local and long haul, and contractors of all kinds. Lynn serves on the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce transportation committee, Board of the Better Business Bureau and is an active participant with the Independent Agents of Iowa. He also served a five-year term on the board of a major cargo insurance company, as well as Producer Agency Councils for Hawkeye Security and Northland.

 

KEITH SHELLHAMMER In 1995, Keith Shellhammer joined Lynn Mills to form Mills-Shellhammer and Associates, Inc. where he serves as and officer and director of the agency. Keith has 35 years of industry experience and specializes in larger commercial accounts involving workers’ compensation and product liability insurance coverage. He manages large line accounts on a local, regional and global arena and prides himself on having long term relationships with many of the areas most prestigious businesses. Keith has served on the local, regional and national producer councils for CNA, The Hartford, Royal Insurance, Crum & Forester and Hawkeye Security insurance companies.

 

JOSEPH M. PUETZ, CPCU, ARM On January 1, 2003, Joe Puetz joined forces with Lynn Mills and Keith Shellhammer to form Mills-Shellhammer-Puetz & Associates, Inc. the largest locally owned independent insurance agency in Sioux City. Prior to merging his business with Lynn and Keith, Joe owned an independent insurance agency for 10 years. Joe is a 1987 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and finance and business economics. He was awarded the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) professional insurance designation in 1998 and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation in 2004. Joe specializes in managing commercial accounts – both property and casualty insurance and employee benefits. He has a great deal of expertise with not-for-profit businesses. Community service is a vital part of Joe’s life. He is an active member of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Committee, Sioux City Business Leaders Club, Blessed Sacrament Church, and the Catholic Schools of Sioux City. Joe resides in Sioux City with his wife, Michelle, and two children, Erin and Andrew.

 

ROBERT (BOB) GILLESPIE Graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia, MO with a transportation major. Holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. Served as an executive officer in medium to large trucking companies for 24 years. Was a co-owner in regional motor carrier in Sioux City, IA for 11 years. Bob practiced transportation law before the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Surface Transportation Board as well as the Federal Maritime Commission for over twenty years. He is a member of the Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy and a certified Member of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. His transportation expertise is used to support all types of insurance products for exempt, regulated, and private motor carriers and transportation brokers.

 

EDDIE MORAN JR. Eddie lived in Sioux City until 1984 when he moved to Newcastle, Nebraska where he currently resides. He attended the University of South Dakota and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Eddie has worked in the property casualty insurance business since 1960. His specialty lies in the Surety Bond Business, as well as writing all lines of insurance. Eddie was a partner in McManus Greene Insurance Agency until 1984. He then managed the agency for Hawkeye banks and the Montgomery Insurance Agency in Sioux City. In March of 1998, the Montgomery Agency merged with Mills-Shellhammer & Associates. Eddie currently is an associate with Mills-Shellhammer, handling all kinds of insurance. He served on the Rotary Board of Directors and is trustee of St. Petes Catholic Church and past president of the Council Board.

 

ROB BIXENMAN, CPCU Mills-Shellhammer & Associates would like to welcome Rob Bixenman as a new producer to their team. A cum-laude graduate of the University of Northern Iowa in Finance, Rob Bixenman has spent his entire career in insurance, affording him a strong working knowledge of the insurance industry. Rob's property and casualty insurance experience as an Underwriter lies with such reputable companies as Continental Western Insurance Company and John Deere Insurance. In addition to his experience with property and casualty insurance, Rob spent the past three years working with life insurance, annuity and investments. Rob brings to Mills-Shellhammer a strong accounting, financial decision-making and financial planning background. A native and resident of LeMars, Iowa, Rob serves as a board officer on the LeMars Area Chamber of Commerce, the LeMars United Way, the LeMars Lions Club, and the Sioux Rivers Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

 

BOB VARGASON Bob Vargason, C.S.A has been working with the LeMars Insurance Agency since the fall of 1996, specializing in individual and group life and health products. Bob has been an active member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors for the past eight years. Bob currently resides in LeMars with his wife, Shanda, and their five kids. He also spends a good amount of time for the community as an active LeMars Sertoma Club member, having served as Past-President and Program Chairperson. He was voted the "Sertoma Member of the Year" in 2004. In addition, Bob is also a Nationally Certified Firefighter 2, an Emergency Medical Technician and a Hazardous Materials Technician for the LeMars Fire Rescue Department. Bob also serves as the department's treasurer and teaches fire safety classes to young students as well as old. Bob Vargason believes that each one of the customers of the LeMars Insurance Agency should be treated with a positive, friendly, professional manner while building trust and loyalty with the companies being represented.