Staff

Bernadette Stough, CIC, CPIW is a shareholder, a member of the management team and the First West Board of Directors. She is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and has been in the insurance industry for 28 years, all of which have been with First West. When not at work she enjoys travel, coercing her husband into the next home improvement project and spending time with their spirited Boston Terriers.

Mark joined First West Inc. in April of 2003. Prior to that he worked at Acordia NW in Seattle, WA as a Commercial Insurance Broker in the Construction and Surety Department. Mark became a shareholder at First West in 2005 and specializes in all aspects of commercial insurance from construction, transportation, manufacturing, and hospitality. He currently holds Associate in Risk Management and Construction Risk Insurance Specialist designations. Mark is a member of the Bozeman Noon Rotary and volunteers as a youth soccer coach for the Bozeman Blitz and youth basketball coach for the Gallatin Valley YMCA. Mark is married and has two kids, Riley and Olivia. In between chasing his kids across the state to cross country meets, soccer and basketball games, and the occasional geography bee, you can find him outdoors enjoying all the amazing recreational opportunities SW Montana has to offer.

Tyler Delaney, CIC is a Commercial Lines Account Executive and Shareholder at First West, Inc. Tyler has been with First West since 1998. He is a graduate of the University of Montana and owned and operated an orthodontic/dental laboratory in Bellevue, WA from 1984-1996 before entering the insurance business. Tyler and his wife, Jodi have two children, Alex and Luke.

Rob started with First West Inc. as a summer intern in 2009.  In January of 2016 he joined the agency full-time as a Commercial Account Manager in our Select Business Unit. Rob holds a degree in business and has completed a six month commercial account manager training program. In his free time he is a volunteer hockey coach with the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association.

In January of 2023, Justin began his role as a commercial lines producer at First West. Before joining the team, Justin spent over two decades in Hawaii, where he specialized in leasing retail projects spanning more than a million square feet of both company-owned and third-party-owned properties. His extensive experience in retail real estate development and construction make him a valuable asset to the First West team. In his free time, Justin enjoys exploring the great outdoors with his wife Laura, whether they're hiking, skiing, running, or simply soaking up all that Bozeman has to offer.

Greg Neil has been a Personal Lines Account Executive since 2003 and joined First West in 2005. He became a shareholder in 2007 and earned his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2009. Greg has coached many youth sports including Blitzz Micro soccer and YMCA basketball and also sits on the Bozeman School Board. Greg and his wife Kara have four children.

Kevin Babcock is the Loss Control Consultant at First West, Inc. Kevin has been with First West since 2004 and is a shareholder. Prior to joining First West Kevin held the position of safety director/human resources consultant for several firms – Barnard Construction Company, Town Pump and Montana Resources. He has extensive experience and knowledge in all areas of safety and is valuable asset to First West.

Tiffany Obie, CIC, CISR is a commercial lines account manager. She started in the insurance industry in 2004 and has been with First West since 2011. Tiffany is a graduate of Carroll College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies and Business Administration. Tiffany enjoys golfing. skiing, and all that the Gallatin Valley has to offer with her two boys.  

Jodi Neville began her insurance career with First West in 1998.  She is a Commercial Lines Account Manager in our Farm and Ranch Department.  When she’s not at work Jodi enjoys spending time with her family. If you have the opportunity to meet Jodi ask her about her fascinating genealogy research.  We think she should write a book.

Alex Gepner, CIC, CISR, is the Team Leader for the Select Business Unit.  Alex started her insurance career in 2004 and has been with First West Insurance since 2012.  Alex specializes in Small Business and strives very hard to help her clients feel comfortable and knowledgeable about their coverage.   Alex and her husband Kurt have one daughter, Melia.  She is actively involved in school sports, skiing Bridger Bowl in the winter, and camping and fishing in our mountains in the summer.

Kemper is a Commercial Lines Account Manager. He started his insurance career in 1982.  He holds the Certified Insurance Counselor and Accredited Advisor in Insurance designations. Kemper began working with First West in 2014. He enjoys gardening, college sports, hiking and hanging out with his grandson.

Carter began his insurance career here at First West in early 2021 as a Commercial Lines Account Manager in the Select Business Unit. Originally from New England, he previously worked in financial consulting as well as various non-profit organizations but made the move to Montana soon after meeting his wife Ellie, a Bozeman native. Outside the office, you might find them together sport climbing, trail running, or giving back to their local and church communities.

Jody Verwolf recently joined First West Insurance as a Personal Lines Account Manager. Jody, a Bozeman native, obtained her bachelor’s degree from Montana State University in 2003.  Her past experience includes working with employee benefits in health and life insurance. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, photography, camping, refurbishing furniture and rummaging for antiques.

Jessie joined the First West team in 2022. She graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing. Jessie has over 6 years of property & casualty insurance experience in addition to 8 years of banking and financial industry experience, all in the beautiful community of Bozeman. Jessie likes to volunteer, she is married to a NE Montana farmer and has a handsome, sassy son and a couple of active dogs that keep her busy.

Carla Pfannenstiel, AINS, ARM, CPCU started her insurance career in 2009 and joined First West Insurance in 2022. She enjoys traveling, hiking, volunteering at her local parish and spending time with her 13 grandchildren. 

Heather Dahl started her insurance career in 1992 in the Pacific Northwest. In 2001 Heather and her family moved to Montana and she and her husband raised their three children in Bozeman. Heather joined First West in 2014 and has over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Antoinette Bloem is a Life & Health Benefits Account Manager.  She started in the insurance industry in 2007 and joined First West in 2019.  Antoinette is married and has four children.  When she is not at work, she is busy chasing kids around and enjoying the outdoors.  

Suzanne Haniuk joined First West as our Controller. She is a Bozeman native and has over 25 years of accounting experience in various industries. Suzanne studied accounting at Montana State University/ Billings and she also holds a Professional Human Resource Certification. She enjoys gardening, camping and spending time with her grandkids and dogs.

Before joining First West Insurance, Kaileen graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Theatre Arts and Communications. Before moving to Montana, she taught high school in Idaho for over 20 years while coaching competitive speech & debate and directing the plays and musicals. Kaileen enjoys traveling with her husband, especially to warm tropical climates and visiting historical landmarks around the world. She also enjoys spending time with her six children and attending their various performances and activities.