Lori DeVries

Vice President, Health Insurance Specialist

Bio: Lori DeVries started her career as a health insurance agent at The Insurance Connection in 1997. She currently sells all lines of health insurance for both individuals and groups. Lori strives to learn what clients’ individual needs are so she can find the appropriate coverage that works best for them. She enjoys helping her customers and in doing so has built many positive relationships with them. When Lori is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, taking care of her Welsh Corgi, Max, and sewing.

Alice Johnson

Business Insurance Specialist

Bio: Alice joined The Insurance Connection in 1983. She has many years experience in both personal lines and commercial lines insurance. Alice completed the CISR and ACSR designations through The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. She works diligently at giving customers the service that is deserved. Alice grew up in Howard, SD and has lived in Sioux Falls for 40 years. She is married to Myron Johnson and they are the parents of six grown children. There are 14 little people who call her Grandma! Alice is active at Hope Community Church. She sings harmony with the praise & worship group.

Jeremy DeVries

Business Insurance Specialist

Bio: Jeremy DeVries started working in the insurance industry in 2009 when he joined The Insurance Connection staff. He is licensed in all lines of insurance and spends most of his time working with commercial/business customers. His goal is to provide the right protection to his clients’ businesses. He enjoys tailor-making policies for each business and can do this with the wide variety of insurance companies available at our agency. Jeremy grew up in Sioux Falls, SD and is the proud father of two boys.

Gavin VanZee

Auto & Home Insurance Specialist

Bio: Gavin started his insurance career in 2009 at Rocky Mountain Insurance Specialists in Denver, CO, and has been with The Insurance Connection since April 2010. Gavin has completed his CISR designation through The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, and is part of the personal lines side of the business, which includes home, auto, umbrella, motorcycle, boat, ATV, and RV insurance. His goal is to find his customers the best policy he can get for them at the most competitive price. He grew up in Highmore, SD and is a graduate of The University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Brenda Gervais

Business Insurance CSR & Agent

Bio: Brenda started her insurance career in 2006 in North Dakota and joined The Insurance Connection in December of 2011. She is licensed in all lines of insurance but her focus is on commercial. Growing up on a farm in a small town in North Dakota, Brenda learned that hard work , patience and attentiveness are very important. She uses these values each day in assisting her clients. Brenda attended the University of North Dakota where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Arts in Language. Brenda moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 and now owns a home in a small town south of Sioux Falls in 2009. She also became a mother to her only son in 2009! Brenda loves working with youth; she coaches girls third and fourth grade basketball and mentors in the Sioux Falls school district. She enjoys volunteering at her church, cooking and spending time with her family.

Eileen Smith

Commercial Customer Service Representative

Bio: Eileen started working in the insurance industry at The Insurance Connection in 1997. She has found that the position of Commercial Customer Service Representative is the perfect fit for her and prides herself in working attentively to ensure customers policies and inquiries are handled with care and accuracy. Eileen is a native of Nebraska and moved to Sioux Falls in 1995. She has been married to her husband Bill since 1969 and they have 3 grown children. They have no grandchildren yet…but enjoy being Papa & Nana to several neighborhood children. Eileen enjoys flower gardening and sewing.

Kristi Hahn

Commercial Customer Service Representative

Bio: Kristi started working in insurance in 2001 and joined The Insurance Connection in 2005. She is a graduate of Minnesota West Community & Technical College with a focus in administrative support. She is a Commercial Lines Customer Service Representative and works with efficiency to keep our agency as up-to-date on customer files as she can. Kristi has been married since 2001 and became a proud mother in 2009.

Vicki Bruner

Customer Support Specialist

Bio: Vicki began her work in insurance when she joined The Insurance Connection in April 2010. She holds the position of Customer & Administrative Support Specialist and prides herself on making sure our customers questions are answered and their needs are taken care of. Vicki has been married to her husband Randy since 1973 and they have three grown children and three grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, cooking, sewing and being a grandma.

Mel Renshaw

Personal Lines Service Representative

Bio: Mel Moyar Renshaw came to The Insurance Connection in 2012, bringing over sixteen years of customer service experience . She is part of our personal lines team, and strives to give our clients and their policies the same attentiveness and accurate care that she would want for herself and her family. Mel grew up in Sioux Falls and majored in English and Journalism at Augustana College. You may also recognize her from her 25-plus years on the radio in Sioux Falls. Mel has one husband, two kids, and three cats.

Maxwell Smart DeVries

“Max”

Office Dog

Bio: Born in 2010, Max has a warm heart and short legs. He’s always eager to greet all dog-loving clients of The Insurance Connection!  Stop in the agency and he’ll be happy to make sure you get you a quote on any insurance you may need! (Those who are not dog-lovers, please know he’ll happily stay in his crate while you’re in our office.)