Staff

Don Arenz
Account Executive
Email Don

A Commercial Lines Account Executive with Valley Insurance Associates, Inc., Don Arenz, Jr. brings a wealth of experience to his practice. After graduating from Coe College (Cedar Rapids, IA) in 1967, Don entered the agency business in Rockford, IL. He then served as President of a multiple location, independent agency from 1977 to 1993. When the agency merged with another firm, Don remained during the transition and then became an independent insurance consultant. In 1995 he relocated to the Appleton area and joined VIA.

Don is qualified in all aspects of insurance with particular expertise in industrial risks, marinas and boat dealers, schools and colleges, insurance for the medical profession, and large risk insurance. He was twice president of the local independent agents association, and is in the process of obtaining his Certified Property Casualty Underwriter's (CPCU) designation.

Don and his wife, Mary Ann, have three children and enjoy boating, snow skiing, a wide variety of outdoor activities, travel and both playing and watching competitive sports.

Michael Driessen
Account Executive
Email Michael

Professional Service Runs in the Family
Being a part of the insurance industry runs in the family for Michael Driessen. With his mother Peggy also having a background in insurance, he is proud to carry on the tradition.

As an Account Executive at Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. (VIA), Michael works with individuals and businesses within the Fox Valley area to help them with their insurance protection planning.

Michael is licensed and his areas of expertise include:

• Life & Health Insurance
• Personal Lines Insurance
• Business Insurance

Experience Counts
Michael has been licensed and practicing in the insurance industry for over 8 years. He began his career in Oshkosh, but even at that time, was primarily serving the Fox Valley area. Michael takes continuing education courses and seminars to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing insurance industry.

In Michael's Words
"I grew up in the Fox Valley, specifically, in Kaukauna. Today, I see the Fox Valley as an exciting and growing marketplace and I look forward to providing services to the businesses of the area. By helping these businesses take care of themselves financially, I help them continue to survive, thrive and support our community."

Mike Fitzgibbon
Account Executive
Email Mike

Where Business & Personal Meet
As a Commercial Lines Account Executive with VIA, Mike brings personalized service to your business needs. He has worked with a wide range of clients in the private sector, including manufacturers, contractors, and those in the service industry.

Experience Counts
With more than 25 years of experience in the commercial insurance field, Mike is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Upon graduating, Mike joined a Wisconsin commercial insurance carrier and has been a part of the industry ever since. He is licensed for Property & Casualty, Accident & Health, and Life.

Mike specializes in:

• Providing expert guidance for all types of business insurance needs.
• Meeting surety bonding needs.
• Protecting your business while providing personalized service tailored specifically to you and your business.

In Mike's Words
"I've been a part of the commercial insurance industry for my entire career. Over the years, I've worked in a variety of commercial insurance roles, including sales support, marketing, customer service, management and direct sales. This work has provided me with a broad foundation of experience and made me the experienced professional I am today. Nothing makes you stronger than hands-on experience.

My wife, son and I take a hands-on approach to our community, as well. I am proud to help with my son's school activities and support community programs. I'm a member of the Fox West YMCA and an advocate and supporter of their 'Strong Kids' campaign. We also participate in a sled hockey program called the Wisconsin Warriors. This is an adaptive sport for people with lower body disabilities."

Gerald Haen
Account Executive
Email Jerry

Vicki Meinke, CIC
Account Executive
Email Vicki

Making a Living and a Life Helping Others
An insurance protection plan is more than dollars, cents and paper. It's an integral part of safe guarding a family or business' future. Vicki Meinke understands the true value of insurance products and services and brings this in-depth understanding to her role as an Account Executive at Valley Insurance Associates (VIA). Her expertise includes handling new and renewal business, policy changes, claims and more.

Experience Counts
Vicki joined the insurance industry in the 80's and has more than two decades of valuable experience to tap when caring for clients. She became a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) in 1997 and continues to put her knowledge and experience to work for VIA each and every day.

In Vicki's Words
"My husband, three children and I have been a part of this community for a very long time. I serve on numerous committees both in church and in our children's school. These activities, along with my career as an Account Executive for VIA, help me feel as though I am making a difference and helping people where we live."

Marc A. Perna, CIC
Account Executive
Email Marc

Understanding Business Issues
Specializing in Commercial Property & Casualty risks, Marc Perna is an Account Executive with Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. With over 18 years of insurance experience, three as a partner at an agency, Marc understands the challenges businesses face and how he can help them overcome those challenges.

Experience Counts
A Business Management graduate of Northern Michigan University, Marc is licensed in Property & Casualty, Life, Accident and Health. He has also earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and has held it for more than 10 years.

Marc has assisted multiple types of businesses including: contractors, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers and habitational entities, as well as service risks.

In Marc’s Words
“I have experience not only as an insurance advisor, but also as a business manager & owner. I understand what it takes to run a business as well as what it takes to protect financial assets, and I believe this makes me a more effective insurance advisor.

I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering as an active member in Optimist International. Music is another passion of mine, as I enjoy playing guitar and singing.”

Diane Treml, CPIW
Commercial Lines Manager
Email Diane

Showing You the Difference
As the Commercial Lines Department Manager at Valley Insurance Associates (VIA), Diane spends some of her time educating her clients about the VIA TEAM ONE difference. TEAM ONE provides a one call, one stop resource for answers to your insurance & financial planning needs, no matter if it's personal, business, or workplace benefit related. In addition to managing the Commercial Lines Department, she is responsible for new business sales and marketing.

Experience Counts
Diane has been in the insurance industry since 1973 and is a licensed agent for property, casualty, health and life insurance. She attained her CPIW (Certified Professional Insurance Woman) designation through the National Association of Insurance Women and has also completed coursework for the Insurance Institute of America (IIA).

In Diane's Words
"I'm an insurance industry professional by day and a sports fan at heart. I love to watch a U.W.G.B. Phoenix basketball or a Green Bay Packers football game. When I'm not enjoying a game, I'm often reading so I can stay on top of what's new and changing in the insurance industry."

Pamela Blough, ARM, AIC
Account Manager
Email Pamela

Providing Comprehensive Service
As an Account Manager in the Commercial Lines department at Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. (VIA), Pamela specializes in Commercial Lines and:

• Meets the day to day needs of her clients through professional service and guidance.
• Facilitates policy changes and renewals.
• Assists with claim submissions and questions associated with this critical process.
• Provides insurance marketing support to the agency.

Experience Counts
Pamela has 18 years of experience in the insurance industry and her roles prior to joining VIA have included working within an insurance company, working within an independent agency and playing a leadership role in a corporate risk management department. She has obtained the Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations. Pamela has been licensed in the State of Wisconsin since 1993 for Property & Casualty.

In Pamela's Words
"After taking several years away from the insurance industry to focus on raising my family, it was still a natural choice for me to rejoin this industry when it was time for me to return to the outside workforce. I am grateful that the work I do helps others focus on their business with the comfort that VIA is looking out for their insurance protection needs."

Rachel Cleven, CIC
Account Manager
Email Rachel

Rachel has been in the insurance industry since 1988, starting as a commercial underwriter after graduating from the University of Wisconsin/Platteville School of Business. Her industry knowledge and experience gives her a unique perspective of the challenges and complexities facing business managers. She is an excellent resource for commercial insurance clients.

Rachel has fulfilled the requirements for a professional insurance designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). She is a Commercial Lines Account Manager and has been employed by Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. for over 10 years.

In Rachel's Words
"I work hard to customize my clients' portfolios, control their premium costs and minimize their exposure to financial loss. I am proud that our agency represents insurance companies that consistently provide exceptional service, quality products and superior financial stability."

Susan Dollhopf, CPCU, CIC
Account Manager
Email Susan

A Manager to Meet Your Needs
For over 30 years, Susan Dollhopf has been a part of the insurance industry. As an Account Manager at Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. (VIA), she has the opportunity to put that vast, in-depth experience to work for clients in our neighborhood.

Susan specializes in Commercial Lines and:

• Partners with clients to help them evaluate what their needs are and how best to meet those needs with cost-effective, comprehensive products.
• Provides exceptional service on all accounts she manages.
• Remains up-to-date on the ever-changing products, services and solutions within the industry.

Experience Counts
Susan has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, as well as her CPCU designation, the premier professional designation of the Property & Casualty insurance industry. Her positions over the past 30 years in the field have included Customer Service Representative for Commercial Lines, Account Executive and Marketing Coordinator. All of these positions have the central theme of thinking about and taking care of the client.

In Susan's Words
"After 14 years in Waukesha, my husband and I moved to the Fox Valley in 2004. I'm excited to be working with VIA, a professional insurance agency that focuses on ensuring that every client's insurance protection plan is complete, and in essence, that the client's business is well cared for."

Jeffrey J. Goldapske, CPCU
Account Manager
Email Jeffrey

Removing Stress & Uncertainty
With a career in insurance that started in 1982, Jeff continues to provide his expertise at Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. (VIA). As a Commercial Lines Account Manager, he works with clients and assists them with their insurance. He enjoys helping them understand how their insurance coverage can remove some stress & uncertainty if they experience a loss.

Experience Counts
During Jeff’s career, he has held positions including: Commercial Underwriter, Personal Lines Underwriter, Billing Manager, Marketing Representative and Agent. In addition to being licensed in Property & Casualty, he has also earned his CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation. With the majority of his experience spent working for insurance carriers, he is eager to work on the agency side of the business.

In Jeff's Words
“Not all insurance policies are alike. Some use the ‘cookie cutter’ approach, assuming all protection needs are the same for all clients. Customized policies, on the other hand, are designed to fit the individual needs of each client. This ‘tailored suit’ approach can help ensure that all my clients’ critical exposures are covered and they are not paying for unneeded coverage. I’m always happy to explain the differences to clients so they can make informed decisions."

Betty Leeman, CIC, AAI
Oshkosh Branch Manager
Email Betty

An Expert in Her Business, An Ally for Yours
When it comes to protecting your business, experience and expertise do count. Betty Leeman has an abundance of both and as an Account Manager and the Oshkosh Branch Manager at Valley Insurance Associates, Inc. (VIA), she can be an ally for your business.

Betty specializes in Commercial Lines of insurance and:

• Provides businesses with one-on-one attention to answer any questions they may have about insurance and guide them to the policies that best fit their needs.
• Professionally handles claim submissions.
• Executes policy changes.
• Performs insurance marketing.

Experience Counts
A lifelong Fox Valley resident, Betty has 20 solid years of insurance industry experience through a local insurance carrier. She worked her way into the role of Commercial Underwriter and later served as a customer service agent with a large agency. Her designations include Certified Insurance Counselor and Accredited Advisor in Insurance. Betty has also completed the General Principles of Insurance Program, and has taken many workshops in related topics.

In Betty's Words
"In order to meet the diverse and every changing needs of my customers, I consider it critical to stay up-to-date and on top of new developments in my field. I am committed to continuing education and consistently work to expand my expertise while studying for additional insurance related designations. The better I know my business the better I can help yours."