Staff

Bryan Hall, CIC

President
Commercial Account Executive
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Bryan Hall is a commercial producer with over 16 years of experience delivering customized commercial insurance programs to a variety of industry sectors including: construction, healthcare, hotels, restaurants, breweries and distributors. Bryan joined First West Insurance as a commercial insurance producer in 2006 before becoming a shareholder two years later. Bryan currently serves on the Board of Directors of First West as Vice President.  Bryan and his wife Johnna have three great sons.

Bernadette Stough, CIC

Vice President
Personal Account Executive
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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.

Julie Bennett, CIC

Vice President of Finance
Commerical Account Manager
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A third generation insurance agent, Julie’s insurance career began in 1992 at First West, Inc. as a commercial lines customer service representative. In 1996 she became a partner in the agency and her duties now include responsibility for managing a book of commercial insurance and surety accounts, overseeing the commercial lines customer service representatives, providing training, commercial lines hiring and personnel management. She holds a Certified Insurance Counselor designation and is a graduate of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers Level II School. 

Mark Collins, ARM, CRIS

Secretary-Treasurer
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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.

Aaron Odegard

Sales Manager
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Aaron is a Commercial Lines Account Executive in the Farm and Ranch Department.  He started his insurance career with First West in 2011 and became a shareholder in 2014. Aaron attended Dawson Community College in Glendive, where he played basketball, and Montana State University in Bozeman. While no longer competing in rodeo as much as he would like, he is still heavily involved in the rodeo community. Aaron is President of the Bozeman Stampede and on the Board of Directors for MSU Bobcat Rodeo. He and his wife, Sunny, have three beautiful children.

Tyler Delaney, CIC

Commercial Account Executive
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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.

Dan Cramer, CIC

Commercial Account Executive
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Dan Cramer, Commercial Lines Account Executive in the Farm and Ranch Department, joined First West in August of 2014. He began his insurance career as a Commercial Account Executive with Wells Fargo Insurance Services in 2007. In 2010 he opened his own Farmers insurance agency in Denver, until his love for fishing and disdain for traffic brought him back to Montana. Dan’s experience as a business owner gives him perspective of his client’s needs. Dan and his wife Jody have two children Riley and Coy.

Rob Deming, CISR

Commercial Account Executive
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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.

Wyatt Laakso

Commercial Account Executive
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Wyatt Laakso is a Life & Health Account Executive.  He is a graduate of the University of Montana Western and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a minor is Small Business Management.  While at UM Western Wyatt played football and helped coach kid camps for the Dillon community.  Wyatt enjoys fly fishing, painting, and exploring the Montana wilderness.

Justin MacKenzie

Commercial Account Executive
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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.

RJ Fitzgerald First West Insurance

RJ Fitzgerald

Commercial Account Executive
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RJ Fitzgerald is a commercial producer who worked an internship in the summer of 2021 before joining First West on a full time basis in 2023. He grew up in Dillon, MT and attended Montana State University, where he played football and was a captain his senior year in 2022. In his free time, he enjoys to golf, barbeque, watch sports and spend time with friends and family.

Greg Neil, CIC

Personal Account Executive
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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.

Kodi Swanson, CPIA

Commercial Lines Manager
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Kodi Swanson started her insurance career in 2003 and has worked on both the insurance carrier side as well as within independent agencies. In 2019 she joined First West as a Commercial Lines Account Manager in the Select Business Unit. Kodi holds a Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation and is excited to be part of the team at First West.

Kevin Babcock

Loss Control
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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.

Julie Nygren, CIC, CRIS

Commercial Account Manager
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Julie Nygren, CIC, CRIS, began her commercial insurance career in 1997 and has gained experience in many insurance specialties, including construction, real estate development, nonprofits, technology, manufacturing and retail. Julie joined the First West Insurance team in 2016.  Having grown up in the Gallatin Valley and graduating from Montana State University, she and her husband, Chris, were thrilled to return to Bozeman in 2012. She enjoys singing in the Symphony Choir, playing the piano, and appreciating and contributing to the activities and outdoors that this community has to offer. They have two grown sons and a Gordon Setter.

Tiffany Obie, CIC, CISR

Commercial Account Manager
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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.  

Sue Howard, CISR

Commercial Account Manager
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Susan Howard, CISR is a Commercial Lines Account Manager.  Sue has been in the insurance industry for 19 years.  She began her career working for an Equine Insurance agency located in NJ.  She moved to Montana in 2000 and joined the First West Commercial Lines Department in September of 2002. In her free time she enjoys gardening, dancing and spending time with her horse and dog.

Jodi Neville, AFIS

Commercial Account Manager
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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.

Marci Stoppel, CIC, CISR

Commercial Account Manager
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Marci Stoppel, CIC, CISR, is a Commercial Lines & Surety Account Manager. She began her career in 2013 and joined First West in 2015. Marci graduated from MSU with a BS in Business Management. Marci, along with husband Andy and young son, enjoy skiing, hiking and learning to fly fish.  

Alex Gepner CIC, CISR

Commercial Account Manager
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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.

Shauna Diehl, CISR, AFIS

Commercial Account Manager
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Shauna Diehl, Commercial Lines and Farm & Ranch Account Manager, started her insurance career with First West in 2010 and obtained her CISR designation in 2015.  Before joining First West she attended Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and worked in the construction industry as administrative support to estimators and project managers as well as doing contract administration. 

Kemper Brand, CIC

Commercial Account Manager
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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.

Jeri Anderson, ARM

Commercial Account Manager
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Jeri Anderson, ARM, is a Commercial Lines Account Manager. Jeri has worked in the insurance industry for over 15 years helping businesses with their insurance needs. She is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Degree from Dominican University of San Rafael. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, dancing, gardening, spending time with her two dogs, and serving teens in foster care.

Carter Reynolds

Commercial Account Manager
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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.

Kalina Vanderhoff, CISR

Commercial Account Manager
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Kalina is originally from Eastern Montana, graduating from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. She worked in management consulting prior to joining First West in 2006 and earned the CISR designation in 2009. Outside the office, Kalina enjoys spending time with family, reading, learning new skills, organizing things and people, and gardening (with mixed results). She and her husband have three girls who enjoy camping, rock hunting, and excursions across Montana. 

 

Jody Verwolf, CISR

Personal Account Manager
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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.

Nicole Christensen, CIC, CISR

Personal Account Manager
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Nicole Christensen is a personal lines account manager.  She started her insurance career with First West in 2010 and obtained her CISR designation in 2015. She is an amazing cook and has recently rekindled her love of running. Nicole and her husband Todd have four wonderful children.

Jessica Smith First West Insurance

Jessica Smith

Personal Lines Account Manager
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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.

Erika Kinney First West Insurance

Erika Kinney

Claims Coordinator
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Carla Pfannenstiel, AINS, ARM, CPCU

Commercial Lines Processor

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. 

Stephanie Clapper

Commercial Lines Processor

Stephanie began her insurance career in 2022 by joining First West Insurance. Her prior professional experience includes administrative work for Gallatin County and Monforton School. Stephanie is a Bozeman Native who happily takes on the many adventures that come with two active sons who are quickly approaching adulthood. She can often be found on the sidelines of the lacrosse field or swimming pool.

Heather Dahl, CISR

Commercial Lines Processor

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.

Stephanie Bolay, AINS

Commercial Lines Processor

Stephanie Bolay joined First West as a Commercial Lines Processor. She began her insurance career in 2010 at the IMA Financial Group where she held various roles including Certificates Processing Account Manager, Processing Account Manager, and Senior Tech/Team Trainer. Stephanie’s father was in the Air Force during her childhood, so she moved around the country a lot. She has lived in Wichita, Kansas since graduating from Wichita State University in 2007. Stephanie has three children who keep her very busy. If she is not in the stands cheering on her children, you can find her cheering on her favorite football, basketball, and volleyball teams. 

Antoinette Bloem

Life & Health Account Executive
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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.  

 

Terri Jallings

Life & Health Account Manager
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Terri Jallings joined First West as a Health and Life Account Manager in 2014. She was born and raised in Great Falls, MT but has spent the last 30 years raising her family and enjoying the beauty of Southwest Montana. She has 10 years of experience in the Health and Life insurance business.

Suzanne Haniuk, PHR First West Insurance

Suzanne Haniuk, PHR

Controller
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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.

 

Debra Hoffert

Accounting Assistant
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Debra attended Moorhead State University taking courses in Accounting and Business Management. She has more than 15 years of accounting experience with various Bozeman businesses. Debra completed an in-depth accounting mentorship and is also undertaking insurance training. She enjoys gardening, sewing, her grandkids, and photography.

Kaileen Jefferies

Front Office Coordinator
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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. 

Gina Shroyer-Weaver

Front Office Coordinator
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Before joining the First West Front Desk team in 2014, Gina graduated from Montana State University and taught elementary school in Clyde Park, Montana. Gina loves hiking, skiing, reading, camping and being outdoors. Gina recently wrote an article on her memories of growing up in Bozeman that will be published in the winter issue of Gallatin History Magazine. Gina is learning all about stem cell transplants and likes to hang out with students from Be the Match on Campus #notadatingsite, a group that helps sign-up 18 to 44 year-olds to be stem cell donors for people fighting certain cancers.

 
1905 Stadium Drive
Bozeman, Montana 59715
 
Phone:  406-587-5111
Toll Free: 800-606-9378
Fax:  406-587-9162

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