The Larkin Group Team
“At Larkin Insurance Group, we realize you have options when it comes to your insurance. That is why we make a strong commitment to you to develop the customer relationship. We not only want to provide your insurance; we want to establish a long standing relationship built on integrity and trust along with advising you in ways to protect what is most important to you. Call us today to start your service with an agency that prides itself on the service it provides!”
-Justin Looyenga, CIC
Principal & Risk Manager
Larkin Insurance Agency of Traverse City
3963 W Royal Dr
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 231-947-8800
Click here for map →
Personal Lines Team
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Kellie Cutler
Personal Risk Manager, kcutler@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2003
Professional: Property & Casualty Licensed and Life Licensed. Real-estate Licensed.
Education: Bachelor’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University
Community: Volunteer at the State Theatre, Member of Grand Traverse Women Network,
Personal: Kellie resides in Peninsula Township with husband Tim and two children Lauren and Justin. They also have a Weimaraner dog named Cooper.
Hobbies: Walking, Boating, Traveling & Spending time with Family
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Lorri Smith
Personal Risk Manager, lsmith@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2001
Education: Glen Lake Community Schools, Maple City
Community: St. Francis Catholic Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre
Personal: Lorri is a native of Leelanau County and resides in Garfield Township in Traverse City with her husband Blake, who is a community development specialist for the USDA – Rural Development. They have two children Haley & Caleb and their puppy, Tucker.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, boating, watching her kids play in sports, scrapbooking, traveling, walking, hanging out with the neighbors.
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and Michigan Life Insurance Agent
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Eva Nelson
Personal Service Agent, enelson@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2003
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre and at Traverse City Library
Personal: I have been in the Traverse City area for about 17 years. I have two daughters Brittany and Erica and a little dog Lexy.
Hobbies: Canoeing, fishing, biking, and hanging at the beach with my girls.
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Kathy Olney
Personal Risk Manager, kolney@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 1989
Education: B.A. in Office Administration from Ferris State University
Community: Member of the Traverse City Presbyterian Church, Traverse City Optimist Club, and 2nd Time Arounder’s Band, Volunteering at the State Theatre, United Way Day of Caring and National Cherry Festival.
Personal: Kathy resides in Kingsley with her husband, Jon, who is a merchant marine pilot with American Steamship Company. Her children, Jen and Mike, both attend college.
Hobbies: Family, Boating, Travel, and Music.
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and Michigan Life & Health Insurance Agent
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Jill Hinson, CISR
Personal Risk Manager, jhinson@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2003
Professional: Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Education: Graduate Plano Senior High School, Plano TX; Attended Baylor University, Waco TX
Community: Youth Group Leader and Mission Board Member at The Orchard Church, State Theater volunteer, and Cherry Festival volunteer.
Personal: Jill lives in Kingsley with her husband Scott and their dog Tashi and cat Kit. They have 2 sons, Robert and Andrew.
Hobbies: Kayaking, knitting, reading, camping, geo-caching
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and Michigan Life Insurance Agent
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Josh Haselton
Personal Risk Manager, jhaselton@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2010
Professional: Michiagan Property & Casualty License
Education: Insurance & Risk Management – Olivet College
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre
Personal: Josh was raised in Traverse City Michigan. Josh attended Traverse City West Senior High School, where he participated in varsity football, Track, and power lifting. Josh later attended Olivet College. During Josh’s time at Olivet College, he played football, was a Resident Advisor, and was an officer for the insurance fraternity Gamma Iota Sigma. Josh graduated from college on May 15, 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Insurance and Risk Management.
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Jody Francis
Personal Service Agent, jfrancis@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2012
Professional: Property & Casualty Licensed
Education: Suttons Bay High School & Davenport University Graduate
Community: Suttons Bay Community First Board Member; Volunteer for National Cherry Festival, Odyssey of the Mind and Traverse City State Theatre, Member of Westside Community Church
Personal: Native of Suttons Bay and still residing in the area with her husband Joe and their two children Shane and Shantel and their Dachshund Sadie.
Hobbies: Running, Rowing, any sporting activity. Camping and being outdoors. Love spending time with all of my family and friends who are like family. Enjoy time on the water at any of the beautiful lakes in our area.
Commercial Lines Team
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Justin Looyenga, CIC
Principal & Risk Manager, jlooyenga@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2006
Professional: Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Education: B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University (2003)
Community: Bay Pointe Community Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, National Cherry Festival Foundation Board Member
Personal: Justin resides in Garfield Township in Traverse City with his wife Amy, who is a 2nd grade school teacher, and their one son Ryan. They also have two dogs, Luke and PJ.
Hobbies: Golf, Basketball, Boating, Running/Working Out, Family, Travel and any type of good athletic event; especially Michigan State Basketball and Football.
Licenses Held: Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and Michigan Life & Health Insurance Agent
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Steve Merten, CIC
Principal & Risk Manager, smerten@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 1992
Professional: Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Education: B.A. in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University
Community: Central Methodist Church, TBA Credit Union Board Member, Past Board Member of Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and HomeBuilders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Past Chariman of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council.
Personal: Steve resides in Peninsula Township with his wife Nina. Steve has two children, Christopher and Cassidy.
Hobbies: Family, Winter Sports, Basketball, Golf and sports in general.
Licenses Held: Licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, Accident and Health -
Shawn Gregg, CPCU, CIC
Commercial Risk Manager, sgregg@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2008
Professional: Shawn is a veteran of the commercial insurance industry since 1988. He has worked for insurance companies as a Production Underwriter and a Commercial Territorial Manager. Shawn has work the last 7 years on the agency side as a valued counselor to his clients. Shawn has earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1993 and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2000.
Education: B. S. Finance from Ferris State University (1988)
Community: Parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre, Builders Exchange of Northwest Michigan and the Grand Traverse Builders Exchange
Personal: Shawn resides in Long Lake Township with his wife JoAnn. Shawn has two children Lauren and Connor. Lauren is a graduate of Western Michigan University and Connor is work on his degree in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech in Houghton MI.
Hobbies: Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Biking and Golf
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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Ann Eckerly
Commercial Risk Manager, aeckerly@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2009
Professional: Property & Casualty License, Past Agency Principal of an Independent Agency, and Member of Accident Fund’s Agent’s Advisory Council.
Education: Northwestern Michigan College and Eastern Michigan University
Community: Grand Traverse Conservation District – Board Member, Member of National Ski Association and Midwest Ski Association, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce – Past Board Member and Chairman of the Small Business Council, Past Business/Corporate Co-Chairman of Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Board.
Personal: Ann resides in Traverse City and has two grown sons. Jason is a practicing attorney in Chicago. Matt is a full time student at Grand Valley State University and his wife Audrey is a school teacher, working toward her Master’s Degree.
Hobbies: Golf, Hiking, Skiing, Kayaking and Medaled in Competitive Hunter/Jumper Equestrian Events.
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent.
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Adam Maas
Commercial Risk Manager, amaas@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2012
Education: B.A. in Management, B.A in Marketing from Grand Valley State University
Community: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, NMC Scholarship Open Board Member, Graduate of Leadership Grand Traverse, Rotary International
Personal: Adam resides in Traverse City with his wife, Teri, who is a Special Education Teacher with the Traverse Bay Area ISD.
Hobbies: Family, Golf, Basketball and Working Out. Additionally, Adam enjoys travel and spending time in the Upper Peninsula where he was raised.
Licenses Held: Licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, Accident and Health, Series 6 license, Series 63 license, and Variable Products
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Tammy Riegler
Commercial Service Team Leader, triegler@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2008
Community: Debate Judge for Traverse City High Schools, Bay Pointe Community Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals
Personal: Tammy resides in Cleon Township in Copemish with her husband Spencer, who works at a local bank here in Traverse City, and also has a step-daughter, Audrey, who is 13 years old. They have two cats: Stanley and Cleo.
Hobbies: Working Out/Getting into Shape, Tennis, Volleyball…Family Time
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent and Michigan Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent
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Kathy Stone
Commercial Service Agent, kstone@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2005
Professional: Property & Casualty Agent
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre, National Cherry Festival Volunteer
Personal: Kathy resides in Garfield Township in Traverse City with her husband Maynard who is owner of Gypsum Specialties, Inc. They have 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.
Hobbies: Reading, bowling, spending time with grandchildren.
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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Tammy Thedorff
Commercial Service Agent, tthedorff@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2011
Community: Volunteering at the State Theater, National Cherry Festival Volunteer
Personal: Tammy resides in Mesick with her husband Troy and their son, Trenton. They also have two dogs, Sage and Buddy.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, bowling and watching hockey.
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Employee Benefits Team
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Greg Lewis, CLU, ChFC
Individual & Employee Benefits, glewis@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2006
Professional: Certified Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Education: B.A. in Psychology DePauw University (1981)
Community: Bay Pointe Community Church, Volunteering at the State Theatre, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Heath Care Committee
Personal: Greg resides in Grand Traverse County in Traverse City with his wife Diane, children Cori, Ben, Abe and Eli. They also have one dog, Bentley, and one cat, Muffin.
Hobbies: Golf, Basketball, Running/Working Out, attending my kids’ athletic events and performances.
Licenses Held: Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Life and Health Insurance Agent.
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John Closz
Senior Benefits Consultant, jclosz@larkingrp.com
Education: Advertising Degree with a minor in Communication
Community: Rotary International, BCBS Agent Advisory Board, Priority Health Agent Council
Personal: John resides in Traverse City with his wife Marti and two Labrador Retrievers, Maggie and Boone
Hobbies: Spending time with his family, golfing and hiking with his dogs.
Licenses Held: Accident/Health, Life and Variable Annuities
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Pamela Cook
Employee Benefits Processor, pcook@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 1986
Professional: Agent
Education: TC Central High School
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre and National Cherry Festival. Raises money for various animal welfare groups including shelters, non profits.
Personal: Pam resides in Long Lake Township in Traverse City with her husband Steve, who is the production director for WTCM radio. They have one son Cory who resides in Chicago and is the office manager/accountant for a large hotel. She and Steve have two dogs who run the house – Noah, a Golden Retriever, and Teegan, a miniature Schnauzer.
Hobbies: Kayaking, Running, Cross Country Skiing, Yoga, Reading, Traveling.
Licenses Held: Michigan, Property & Casualty Insurance Agent.
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Mary Ann Smith
Employee Benefits Processor, msmith@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2009
Education: St. Mary’s High School, Lake Leelanau, MI
Community: United Way Day of Caring, St. Mary’s Catholic School & Church, Volunteering at the State Theater.
Personal: Mary Ann lives in Lake Leelanau with her husband Joe and their two boys, Grant & Evan. Hobbies: Spending time with family, gardening, scrapbooking, geneology and attending her childrens athletic events.
Financial Services Team
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Bryan D. Taggart, CFP®
Principal & Financial Services, btaggart@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2006
Professional Designation: Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
Education: B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University
Community: Junior Achievement Board of Directors, United Way Fund Development Committee, Member – Traverse City Young Professionals, Volunteering at the State Theater
Personal: Bryan resides in Traverse City with his wife Ashley and their 2 daughters, Addison and Avery.
Hobbies: Spending time with his family, golfing, being active and enjoying the outdoors.
Licenses Held: Series 7 license, Series 66 license, life and health license. Able to practice in Michigan, Illinois, Florida & Texas.
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Bryan K. Poirier, CFP®
Financial Services, bpoirier@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2008
Professional: Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Education: MBA in Marketing from Michigan State University (1990)
Community: Grace Episcopal Church, Vice President of the Traverse City Economic Club, Past President of the Leelanau Ski Club, former member of the Suttons Bay/Leelanau Rotary
Personal: Bryan resides in Long Lake Township in Traverse City with his fiancé’, Lori, who manages Nichols Optical. They have Samoyeds, Tibetan Spaniels, and cats, including the infamous, “Sam!”
Hobbies: Golf, Bicycling, Softball, and Music as a member of New Third Coast, Avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and MSU Spartans!
Licenses Held: FINRA licenses Series 4, 7, 8, 24, 63, and 65, and Michigan and Illinois Life, Health, and Accident Insurance Agent
Adminstrative Team
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Rose Thompke
Office Manager, rthompke@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 1983
Professional: Certified Professional Service Representative (CPSR)
Education: B. S. degree in Business Administration
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre and National Cherry Festival
Personal: Rose resides in East Bay Township in Traverse City with her husband, Richard, who is a painter.
Hobbies: ATV’s, Bowling, Reading, Boating, Fishing, Family and Travel
Licenses Held: Michigan, Florida Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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Jenna Brorby
Claims Associate, jbrorby@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2008
Education: Associates in Arts & Science (2004)
Community: Volunteering at the State Theatre, National Cherry Festival Ambassador, and Traverse City Art Council.
Personal: Jenna resides in Traverse City with Adam Granger, who is a corporate pilot. They have just purchased a home and have a lab puppy on the way! They participate in many in local races and triathlons each year. Jenna is also a portrait artist and sketches portraits at Friday Night Live in Downtown Traverse City.
Hobbies: Running, Sports, Aerobics, Arts & Crafts, Sailing, and Outdoor Activities
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Megan Vettraino
Agency Support Staff, mvettraino@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2011
Education: B.A. in Broadcasting from Central Michigan University (2006)
Community: Flutist in New Hope Community Church Orchestra, Volunteer at The State Theater, WTCM Radio
Personal: Megan moved to Traverse City from the metro Detroit area in 2008 with her Chocolate Lab, Brady. She loves Northern Michigan and is very excited for her future at Larkin and all the great things it will bring!
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking, Running, Canoeing, Fitness competitions.
Larkin Insurance Agency of Leelanau
116 E Philip
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
Phone: 231-256-2523
Click here for map →
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Dan White
Principal & Risk Manager, dwhite@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2007
Professional: Professional licensed since 1978 in PC and LA&HEducation: B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Capital University 1977 graduating cum laude, recipient of The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award and four year letterman in football
Community: Member of The Leland Community United Methodist Church and actively involved in and around The Leelanau Peninsula
Personal: Married for 33 years to Kay and raised four children and have three grandchildren. They live in Leland with their pug and look forward to family visits.
Hobbies: Biking, golf, cross country skiing and reading
Licenses Held: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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Lisa Wittig
Personal & Commercial Risk Manager, lwittig@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2003
Professional: Licensed Insurance Agent
Education: Grosse Pointe South High School, Macomb Community College, Western Michigan University
Community: American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team Captain & Committee Member.
Personal: Lisa resides in Northport with her Husband Marv, who is the Harbormaster in Northport. They also have a Labradoodle named Spats and 3 cats.
Hobbies: Biking, running, walking, boating and family
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent & Michigan Life & Health Insurance Agent.
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Wendy Blough
Personal Risk Manager, wblough@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2006
Professional: Licensed Agent. 17 years experience in the insurance industry
Education: Lakeworth High School, Lakeworth, Fla.
Community: DJ services for local fundraisers. Participant in the Cedar Polka fest parade
Personal: Wendy resides in Cedar with her husband Kevin 3 horses, 4 cats, 2 dogs, Ducks, chickens and 1 parrot
Hobbies: Musician, Horseback Riding, Hiking, camping, cross Country Skiing, Working out
Licenses Held: Michigan Property & Casualty insurance Agent
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Amanda Brown
Personal Risk Processor, abrown@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2007
Education: Northport Public School; Northwestern Michigan College
Community: Support all Fundraisers for Northport School and the Northport Promise.
Personal: Amanda resides in Leelanau County’s town of Omena, staying close to friends and family. She has a dog, Sassy, and a cat, Blackie.
Hobbies: going for walks, swimming, boating, biking, snow shoeing, photography and entertaining.
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Michele Wolf
Receptionist, mwolf@larkingrp.com
Year Hired: 2005
Education: Associates in Applied Science (Northwestern Michigan College)
Personal: Michele resides in Traverse City with her husband Tim and son Ian. She has four rescue cats Sophie, Gwinny, Socks and Izzy.
Hobbies: Beading, biking, hiking and canoeing.
