Staff Page
Who we are: Our expertise is based on a well-trained, experienced professional staff and a serious conscientious attitude toward our clients. Shown below is the Reliable Insurance Agency "family." (Click on any of these names to learn more about them...)
Officers:
Steve Micke, President
Val Wojtysiak, Secretary/Treasurer
Personal Lines:
Becky Anderson, CISR
Jolene Lust, CISR
Evon Asleson, CISR
Travis Hansen, CIC
Rhonda Hendrickson, CISR
Sarah Rautell
Scott Wojtysiak
Nicole Milberger
Karen McMillen
Kyle Wojtysiak
| Commerial Lines:
Greg Beyer
Becky Haley, CISR
Cindy Kopic, CISR
Cherie Puchalla, CISR
Scott Wojtysiak
Travis Hansen, CIC
Doug Ecklund
| Life and Health:
Rhonda Hendrickson, CISR
Travis Hansen, CIC
Greg Beyer
Scott Wojtysiak
Advertising/Marketing:
Christina Reed
Director of First Impressions:
Karen McMillen
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Steve was born and raised in Cloquet, graduating from Cloquet High School in 1975. In 1979, Steve graduated from St. John's University, started his insurance career June of 1979 at Allied Insurance Company. In May of 1981 he came to work here at Reliable Agency, an agency his father Ted Micke started in October of 1974. Steve is also the father of two great kids, son Andy and daughter Robyn. In 1983 Steve was elected to the Minnesota Professional Insurance Agents (MN PIA) board. In 1987 he earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designations and also received the Chairman of the Year award for his work in the MN PIA. He was then elected to the executive committee of the MIIA in 1989. The early 90's held some great accomplishments: 1991 Young Agent of the Year PIA / IIA Minnesota, 1992 Presidents Award IIA Minnesota, and 1992-93 President of the Combined PIA / IIA for Minnesota. Steve has also been very busy with the Cloquet area Rotary Club. He was President in 2002-2003, in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2007 received Rotarian of the Year awards, and is currently a Rotary board member. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the Carlton County Historical Society. The Boy Scouts of America is another area special to Steve; he was the District Chairman for the Great Bear District from 1998 to 2003. When Steve gets involved with a job he stays involved and is very dedicated to his family, his work, and community service. Steve would love to help you with any of your insurance needs. |
 Val grew up in the rural Cloquet area and graduated from AlBrook High School. She began her insurance career in 1979 and joined the Reliable Agency in June of 1981. She has helped the agency evolve through the automation stages and takes pride in keeping the agency on the leading edge of technology. Insurance is a forever changing business and Val enjoys the day to day challenges of managing the agency, always reminding the staff, "Change is good!" She received the Certified Insurance Service Representative ( CISR) designation in 1990 and Certified Insurance Counselor ( CIC) designation in 2007. Val is currently serving on the board of directors for the United Way of Carlton County and enjoys volunteering with the agency education day, day of caring and participating on the budget and allocations committee. Helping those in need is what it is all about! She stays active in the community with sponsorships the agency has in Hook & Slice on Ice and the Girl Scout Troop #267. Val & her husband, Ken love being grandparents and spoiling their granddaughter, Izzy. In their spare time they enjoy spending time with their family and friends, camping, golfing, and snowmobiling. |
Becky came to Reliable Agency 10 years ago and has 30 years of insurance experience as a producer and service representative. She graduated from Lake Superior College, married, and went directly into the insurance business. Coming from a small town herself, she feels right at home with the personal touch Reliable Agency agents give to each of their clients. Becky is a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR). She was recently awarded "Woman of the Year" in the Port Cities Chapter of American Business Women (ABWA). Becky and her husband Dean live in Cloquet with their dog Cosmo. She has been blessed recently with 3 new grandchildren. |
Evon is originally from the St. Paul, Minnesota area and graduated from Humboldt High School. Her 40 years of experience are primarily in Personal Lines. She has also earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. Evon enjoys client contact while selling and servicing personal insurance. She has a wealth of personal lines insurance knowledge. Being a country girl at heart, Evon loves rural/farm living. |
Greg started his insurance career over 25 years ago as a life insurance agent with Met Life. He expanded the areas of insurance he worked with when he spent 18 years with two local Duluth agencies. It was during this time that Greg received much experience in the areas of personal lines insurance, group health insurance, and commercial lines insurance. Greg came to Reliable in July of 2000 as an outside commercial lines agent. He uses his knowledge from being a previous business owner to make sure our customers get appropriate coverage for their businesses. Greg likes going to the client's business to get to know them and their individual insurance needs. In his spare time Greg enjoys all sports, hunting, fishing, and most of all, the joys of being a grandpa! |
Doug Ecklund 218-655-3375
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Doug came to Reliable from a national carrier where he spent 6 years as a commercial Property and Casualty specialist with an emphasis on complex workers compensation programs. He is blending his carrier risk management experience with the 30 plus years of agency experience at Reliable. He is actively involved in community events as a member of his local school board, Rotary, and Chamber of Commerce. Doug earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Business Administrations from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1992. On the weekends you can find him working on the house or exploring the outdoors with his family.
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 Becky is originally from White Bear Lake and now resides in Barnum. She began her insurance career in 1993 and in 2001 came to Reliable Agency as a Commercial Insurance agent and service representative. Becky is very successful working with our underwriters to get the best coverage’s, at the best prices for our customers. She received her Certified Insurance Service Representative ( CISR) designation in 2007, served on the Agents Advisory Council for Midwest General 2007-2008 and is active with the Young Insurance Professionals Committee. She is a member of the Barnum Community Club where she is the chairman of the Barnum Spring Fever Days. Becky and her husband Kevin have 3 boys, Nick, and twins, Jared and Jordan and are very active in their community. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. |
Travis is a 1999 graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Superior. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration concentrating in Finance. In May of 1999 Travis began his insurance career with Reliable Agency. Travis takes pleasure in dealing with all aspects of the insurance field. Travis is currently sitting as his region’s chair for the Minnesota Insurance Agents & Brokers Association (MIIAB) Board of Directors. In 2007 Travis received the Young Agent of the year award from the MIIAB. In 2008 he was part of a committee that received that same award. In September of 2007 Travis obtained the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) professional designation. Travis also remains active in the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce, Cloquet Kiwanis and his local chapter of Business Networking International (BNI). He most enjoys spending time talking with his clients about their insurance needs and helping them understand their insurance policies. Travis has lived his whole life in the Cloquet area and loves Northern Minnesota. In September of 2000, he married his best friend Laura. They have sense been blessed with two boys. Travis spends his free time staying active with his family, fishing, hunting, trap shooting, bowling, camping, and hiking. |
.jpg) Rhonda began her insurance career in 1991 and obtained her insurance license in 1993. She joined the Reliable family in 1994 and specializes in Personal Lines and Health Insurance. Customers have come to depend on Rhonda's knowledge of the industry. In 1997 she obtained the Certified Insurance Service Representative ( CISR) designation. Rhonda enjoys working with clients and the versatility of the insurance industry. Outside of work she enjoys gardening, reading, outdoor activities and spending family time with her three boys. |
Cindy is a 1977 graduate of Cotton High School. She began her insurance career over 25 years ago with American Family. From there she spent seven years with Liscomb-Hood-Mason Company and then joined the Reliable family in February of 2003. She loves the intricate parts of the commercial lines department, and has a keen knowledge for small businesses and contractors. Cindy has a real gift for working with people and enjoys the personal contact the insurance industry brings. In addition, Cindy earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation in 1999. She married her soul mate, Ed, in 1997 and enjoys spending time with family, friends, and being a grandmother. |
 In May 2003, Jolene graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She began working at Reliable Agency in June of 2003 and obtained her agent license in September of 2003. She was awarded CSR of the year for the State of Minnesota in 2005 and has obtained her CISR and PLCS designations. She is originally from Duluth, but purchased a home in Cloquet in 2004. Jolene was married in October 2005 to Jared. They had their first child in July 2008 named Carter. She enjoys spending her spare time with her husband Jared, son Carter, dog Abbey, friends and family. She also plays on several softball and volleyball teams throughout the year. Jolene is excellent at explaining insurance in easy to understand terms and is very skilled in determining proper coverages. |
Karen was born and raised in Cloquet, and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1981. Karen acquired her Property and Casualty license in November of 2006, and her Life and Health license in April 2007. Karen joined us at Reliable Agency in January of 2007. She currently fills the receptionist position with us at Reliable Agency, a position she feels right at home in.
Prior to joining the Reliable team Karen worked for Potlatch/Sappi Fine Papers for 22 years. It was there she held positions as Shipment Planner, Stock Analyst, and Paper Machine Scheduler. She had taken a couple of years off from working to be at home with her youngest son, Matthew, and once he was old enough to attend school, Karen decided to rejoin the work force.
Karen and her husband, Randy, have three children, Katie, Giles, and Matthew. They plan to raise their children in the same great city that they themselves were raised, Cloquet! Aside from work, Karen enjoys spending her time with her family at the cabin, making quilts, scrap booking, and she also loves fishing in both the summer and the winter. |
Nicole joined the Reliable Agency as the receptionist in September 2005. She got her Property & Casualty license in October 2005 and her Life and Health license in December 2005. Nicole joined the Personal Lines Department as a CSR in January 2007. She is currently working on getting her Certified Insurance Service (CISR) designation. Nicole grew up in Esko and graduated from Esko High School in 1990. In 1998 she granduated from Lake Superior College with an Architechural Technology diploma. Nicole lives in Mahtowa with her husband Karl. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, camping, fishing, and snowmobiling. |
Cherie Puchalla, CISR, Account Manager: Involved in commercial insurance for 30 years, the last nine with Reliable Agency, Inc. Cherie's extensive knowledge of the commercial industry, especially municipalities and school districts, has made her a valuable asset to this agency. Cherie has completed her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation and is working toward her Commercial Lines Coverage Specialists (CLCS) designation. In her spare time, loves spending time at the cabin with her family and volunteering in the community (Cloquet & Superior). |
Sarah graduated from University of Wisconsin-Superior in December of 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration. Prior to her Bachelors degree she received her Associates Degree in Marketing from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior, Wisconsin. She was licensed as a property/causality producer in May of 2006, and began her career at Reliable Agency September 2006. Sarah believes that it is very important to tailor a personal policy to fit her customer’s needs and lifestyle. Outside of work, Sarah loves spending time with her husband Brandon, and son James. She also enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with friends, and playing softball in the summer. |
 Christina started at Reliable Agency in 2004 as a receptionist and is now the agency’s advertising artist. She creates the company newsletters, print ads, brochures, and handles the inter office intranet. Christina has become a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and continues her education through their online Kelby Training Center. She’s been called the “jack of all trades” in the office and loves diving into whatever project comes across her desk. Christina has been married to her husband Shawn for 6 years. They reside in the Proctor area with their “kids” (two dogs and three cats). In her spare time she enjoys cooking, making wine, jewelry making, painting, drawing, and spending time with friends and family. |
Scott was born and raised in the Duluth Area and graduated from Proctor High School in 2001. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in May of 2005. Upon achieving his degree, he obtained his Property and Casualty insurance license in June of 2005 and his Life and Health insurance license in October of 2005. Scott is currently pursuing a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and CLCS (Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist) insurance designation. He looks forward to expanding his knowledge of the insurance industry and providing his expertise in presenting/implementing the best insurance program for each and every one of his customers. |
Kyle grew up in the Duluth area and graduated from Proctor High School in 2005. He went on to achieve his Bachelor of Arts degree in Management as well as receiving a minor in Accounting from the College of St. Scholastica in 2009. Upon graduating, he obtained his Property and Casualty license in September 2009. He looks forward to learning the odds and ends of the insurance business and fulfilling all of his customers' needs. Outside of work you would find him hunting, golfing, camping, playing sports or spending time with his new wife, Jessie, and their little Shih-Tzu, Tillie.
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| Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) |
The Society of CIC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to professional insurance education. The Program provides an in-depth practical approach to education for insurance agents and other insurance practitioners. The CIC Program is designed to meet the practicing insurance professional's need for technical knowledge in all areas of the insurance industry. CIC institutes include: Personal Lines, Commercial Casualty, Commercial Property, Life and Health, and Agency Management. Offered across the United States and its territories throughout the calendar year, each institute consists of two and one-half days of intensive instruction followed by a rigorous essay examination. The successful completion of all five examinations leads to the right to use the designation Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). CIC's must attend 20 hours of program education each year to maintain their designation.
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| Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) |
The Society of CISR is a not-for-profit organization committed to filling the need for quality insurance education and training geared toward customer service representatives. CISR courses stress the understanding and analysis of risks and exposures. CISR courses include: Insuring Personal Auto Exposures, Insuring Personal Residential Property, Insuring Commercial Property, Insuring Commercial Casualty Exposures, and Agency Operations. Offered across the United States and its territories throughout the calendar year, each course is one day of instruction followed by an optional examination. The successful completion of all five examinations leads to the right to use the designation Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR). CISR's must attend 8 hours of program education each year to maintain their designation.
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