Bet Hannon

By Lorie Ham

Lately it feels like there has been one disaster after another—fires, hurricanes, floods, volcanos, etc. How do you protect yourself and your property when these things happen? In past articles, we have talked about different types of safety, but we haven’t talked about floods and who might need flood insurance.

According to Kevin Lucke, President/CEO of Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services, anyone who lives in a flood area should consider buying flood insurance. “Floods happen frequently enough and damages can be substantial.” Typically, homeowners insurance excludes coverage for loss due to flood or surface water.

A recent article on Realtor.com, states that many U.S. homes lie within flood zones and a lot of homeowners aren’t properly aware of the risks or prepared to take them on. It also states that most homes in high-risk flood zones are near a body of water, and yet more than 20% of flood-related home insurance claims happen in non-flood zones.

One way to determine whether you are in a flood zone is by using flood maps. Flood maps, known officially as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, show areas of high- and moderate- to low-flood risk. FEMA is a good resource when you are trying to determine if you are in a flood zone. FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official source for National Flood Insurance Program flood hazard information,  produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). You can use the MSC to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products, and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk. Simply type in your address on the Flood Center webpage. If you live in an area with low or moderate flood risk, you are still five times more likely to experience a flood than a fire in your home over the next 30 years.

So you have accessed your risk of flooding and feel that flood insurance is a good idea, how do you go about getting flood insurance? “Most individuals can work through their insurance agent to procure flood insurance, or they could call the National Flood Insurance Program,” states Lucke.

There are also things you can do to help mitigate the damage done by floods. Property Wire has a list of eight things you can do. These include planting trees, installing water storage areas, building water diversions, water pumps, and floodgates. Floodgates are barriers and gates installed around your home, to doors, windows, and other openings, which would otherwise let in floodwater. The floodgates provide a water-tight barrier so no water can enter the house.

However, FEMA says, before you mitigate know your risk. Meeting National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements is the most cost-effective way to reduce the flood risk to new buildings and infrastructure, and FEMA provides tools and resources to help communities navigate NFIP requirements and implement higher standards of floodplain management. State and federal agencies, tribal governments, local communities, and property owners have a role in reducing flood risk and helping communities become more resilient. Everyone can play a part in making communities safer and more resistant to flood disasters.

If you have questions about flood insurance, Mennonite Insurance Services is happy to help. Just call (559) 638-2327.

Lorie Ham

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day again! A day to wear green, go to St. Patrick’s Day parades, and eat Irish food. But where did St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions come from? According to History.com, St. Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green.

History.com also has an interesting list of nine surprising facts about St. Patrick’s Day, which include that there were no snakes in Ireland for Patrick to get rid of, leprechauns are likely based on Celtic fairies, and shamrocks were actually considered a sacred plant that legend says St. Patrick used as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. Also, the tradition of a St. Patrick’s Day parade began in America and predates the founding of the United States. 

What Americans tend to think of as St. Patrick’s Day food, such as corned beef and cabbage, is actually an American-Irish tradition. According to an article on Allrecipes.com, in Ireland, they just eat regular Irish food to celebrate the day. And it’s St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day. You can find recipes for much of that food in the same article. Food like Irish soda bread, Irish fish fry, and pot roast.

If you are looking for some new recipes to try for your celebration, here are a few provided by mystery authors who write food mysteries, and just happen to have written some that involve St. Patrick’s Day!

Joyce Tremel writes the Brewing Trouble Mysteries and has a Shepherd’s Pie recipe that she has adapted from a recipe from Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle restaurant in Pittsburgh.

Shepherd’s Pie

• 2-3 pounds ground beef or lamb (I use beef)
• 1/2 stick butter
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 cup sweet peas (optional-I make it without)
• Shredded vintage cheddar

Brown the ground beef in a pot or deep skillet with a heavy bottom. Drain and set aside.

In the same pot sauté the onions, celery, and carrots in butter until tender. Add garlic and thyme and sauté until the garlic starts to brown.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring until absorbed and cooked–don’t let it get too brown. Add the wine and beef stock and simmer until thick and bubbly, stirring occasionally. Add the meat back and if using peas, add them.

Transfer to a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes. Top with shredded Irish cheddar and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Mystery author Maddie Day has a recipe for Irish Cheddar Cheese Soup from her Country Store Mystery Four Leaf Cleaver.

Irish Cheddar Cheese Soup

• 24 ounces ounce Irish pale lager (I used two 12 ounce Harp Lager bottles)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 14 ounces Irish white cheddar cheese, shredded + extra for garnish
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 celery ribs, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled, quartered and thinly sliced
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons mustard powder
• 1 tablespoon unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• Coarse salt, fresh ground black pepper to taste
• Crumbled cooked bacon, sliced chives, and freshly chopped parsley for garnish

In a large pot, heat the butter over medium high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots. Cook until somewhat softened and onion is starting to become translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic, stirring frequently, and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant. Sprinkle flour and mustard powder into the pot. Stir to combine and cook 1 minute. Pour half of the pale  lager into the pot and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom. Pour in the chicken broth and remaining pale lager. Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover  the pot, and cook 10 minutes.

Maintaining low heat, remove cover and whisk in cream cheese. Remove from heat. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a stand blender and blend until completely smooth.

Stir in Irish white cheddar cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately garnished with crumbled bacon, chives, and parsley and a slice of Irish soda bread!

Mystery author Peggy Ehrhart has a recipe for Irish Soda Bread in An Irish Recipe for Murder, a novella in the St. Patrick’s Day novella anthology, Irish Soda Bread Murder. Peggy has been making soda bread on St. Patrick’s Day for ages and made an interesting change from the standard recipe switching out buttermilk with yogurt.

Irish Soda Bread

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 5 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. caraway seeds
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter in with two knives, your fingers, or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Mix in the sugar, seeds, and raisins. Beat the egg and yogurt together in a small bowl and add them to the flour mixture. Stir thoroughly.

Using a rubber spatula, turn the dough out onto a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle the dough with flour and pat it into a round, dome-shaped loaf with floured hands. Using a sharp knife, cut an X 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in the top to mark quarters. There are photos of these steps on her website.

Bake the soda bread at 375 degrees for 50 minutes or until it is nicely brown. It’s delicious warm with butter but let it cool at least 15 minutes before slicing. Cut it into quarters first, and then slice the quarters.

To top off your St. Patrick’s Day meal, mystery author Leslie Budewitz has a recipe for Guinness Brownies, which was ooriginally published on Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, on March 7, 2023.

Guinness Brownies

Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction blog, by Sally McKenney

one 12-ounce bottle Guinness Stout, reduced (see below)

For the brownies:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at to room temperature
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons reduced Guinness
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Reduce the Guinness:

Pour the stout into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, reduce to medium and simmer until reduced down to 2/3 cup, about 15-20 minutes, then set aside to cool at least 10 minutes. Note that the beer will continue to reduce as it cools, so don’t overdo the reduction. The brownies call for 1/2 cup; you’ll use the rest in the frosting.

Make the brownies:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×9 inch pan by buttering or spraying it – be sure to get the corners. Or line it with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang for lifting out the brownies – this makes cutting them easier.

Use your preferred method to melt the butter and chocolate – in a small saucepan, double boiler, or microwave. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in the sugar and 1/2 cup of reduced Guinness until completely combined. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla, then add the flour, salt, and espresso powder, and mix until the batter is thick and shiny. Pour the batter into the pan.

Bake 32 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the pan. If it comes out wet, bake another 2 minutes. Moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick are fine. No one likes an overdone brownie! Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.

Make the frosting: In the bowl of your mixer, beat the butter on high until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, beating on low; when the sugar is largely incorporated, increase speed to high and beat until creamy. (You don’t want a cloud of powdered sugar in your kitchen!) Add 2 tablespoons of reduced Guinness, 1 teaspoon espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Taste. Add any remaining Guinness, if needed. If the frosting is a little too thick, you can thin it with a splash of milk.

Frost cooled brownies. Cut and serve.

Cover and store leftover brownies at room temperature for up to 1 week. Or just bring them over to my house.

This St. Patrick’s Day put on something green, and enjoy these delicious recipes while you celebrate! If you are looking for something St. Patrick’s Day-related to read and enjoy a good mystery, check out the authors mentioned in this article. Please share with us some of your St. Patrick’s Day traditions and recipes on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

According to Drive Research, 52% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day. While many of those celebrations are romantic, it is also a perfect time to celebrate the love we have for our family. One way to show that love is by keeping them safe. This is something that has become an even greater concern with the multitude of fires and severe weather that have been occurring lately.

There are many ways that we can help keep our families safe when they are away from home. You can make sure any family member who drives has proper driver safety training. You can remind them not to stay out in the heat or cold too long when there are extreme temperatures, and that they are properly dressed for the weather. It is also a good idea for them to have a cell phone so they can call for help in an emergency.

But what about when they are home? Are there things you can do to make your home a safer place? The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development has a long list of tips. Here are a few of them:

1. Properly storing poisons and medications—making certain no one will take them by mistake and that they are out of the hands of children and pets.
2. Install Carbon Monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.
3. Make sure you have a family escape plan.
4. Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of children’s reach, and never smoke in bed, as that is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.
5. Keep anything that can catch fire away from fireplaces, heaters, and radiators. Replace frayed electrical wires.
6. Take care to avoid kitchen fires and burns. Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Turn pot handles toward the inside of the stove so children cannot grab them. Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens and bathrooms.
7. Set water-heater thermostats below 120 degrees F (50 degrees C).
8. Learn CPR and First Aid. Have a First Aid Kit on hand.
9. Have a locked fence around your pool if you have small children or pets.
10. Keep electric appliances away from water.

Safety Talk Ideas.com lists three eye-opening safety statistics relating to home safety. There were an estimated 1.1 million burglaries that occurred in the U.S. in 2019. Approximately 12,000 children and young adults die from unintentional injuries each year. There are over 350,000 home structure fires per year in the United States (this year may be higher due to the recent devastating fires in Southern CA). Their website also includes some more great home safety tips, such as installing a smart doorbell, installing locks and sensors on windows, and a deadbolt on doors. They also suggest buying a delivery box protection system because so many packages are stolen these days off doorsteps and out of regular mailboxes. Products such as secure package delivery boxes can help to secure your packages. They also suggest getting a home security system. ConsumerAffairs.com offers a list of what they consider to be the top six security companies and a checklist to go through to find the one that best meets your needs.

Ready.gov offers suggestions on making an emergency plan should you ever need to evacuate. It’s something none of us want to think about, but it is another good way of keeping those you love safe.

Something else to consider when it comes to making your family safe is having the insurance you need. Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services is here to help. Now is the perfect time to check your coverage and make sure you have everything you need to protect your home, car, and family. Just call (559) 638-2327 to talk with an agent who will be happy to answer your questions. This Valentine’s Day month let’s do all we can to protect those we love.

By Lorie Lewis Ham

It won’t be long before spring is upon us again and perhaps the itch to get away—whether for a weekend, spring break, or just a fun spring vacation. Or perhaps you are already planning your summer getaway. There are many exciting places to visit on the West Coast that we are all familiar with. Big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. But sometimes it’s fun to go somewhere not as well known—somewhere quieter.

One such place is the tiny Oregon coastal town of Depoe Bay. According to Visit Oregon, the town only has 1,800 residents and is about two miles long. It hugs the Pacific waters along the infamous coastal highway U.S. Route 101—the highway is actually the Main Street of the town. If you are looking for somewhere that is breathtakingly beautiful but also has interesting things to do and is quieter than a big city, this is the place for you. And if you do end up needing something they don’t have, it also is within driving distance of larger cities. Lincoln City is a mere ten miles away and has a population of 9,000, and the big city of Portland is just 101 miles away.

While Depoe Bay may be small, there are unique and fun things to do. One of those things is whale watching. Depoe Bay is known as the whale-watching capital of the Oregon Coast, according to Select Registry. At some of the local hotels, you can even catch glimpses from your window. From March to December, the whales head to the deep waters off the Oregon Coast during their annual migration. There is even a Whale Watch Center (opening again on February 28), shore observation decks, and charter boats if you want to get up close. Park staff and volunteers at the Whale Watch Center are happy to answer any questions and provide help in spotting whales and other marine life. It is equipped with binoculars for visitors and displays that feature facts about whales and information on what swimming patterns you might see. During their busiest times, thousands of gray whales migrate past on their way to and from the waters of Alaska and Mexico. You never know what might swim by. You might also see humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, porpoise, and even blue whales.

Two popular options for a place to stay in Depoe Bay that are right on the ocean are Channel House (which is a Bed and Breakfast) and Whale Cove Inn. There are also several cheaper options available if you are on a budget.

Here are some other things you can do while you are there:

1. Hiking Fishing Rock Trail.
2. Check out the local art galleries on Main Street.
3. Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area, a beautiful natural land formation that really must be seen firsthand.
4. Enjoy a bit of wine tasting at Depoe Bay Winery, which produces wine from grapes grown in the nearby Willamette Valley.
5. Visit Depoe Bay’s Spouting Horn, an underwater cave that throws saltwater into the air like a geyser.
6. Take a scenic drive (or bike ride) along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.
7. Take a fishing charter from the Depoe Bay Harbor. Companies like Dockside Charters offer a variety of charters, from fishing to whale watching.
8. If you happen to catch Depoe Bay on a stormy day, don’t fret. Storm watching on the Oregon Coast is a much-beloved tradition!
9. Visit the Cape Foulweather historical landmark, just 3 miles south of Depoe Bay—a perfect place to experience views of the Pacific Ocean from 500 feet above sea level!
10. Enjoy unique shopping and dining downtown along the seawall.

Whether you want to take part in the many activities, or just want a beautiful place to relax—Depoe Bay, Oregon is the perfect destination. There’s nothing more relaxing than listening to the sound of the ocean hitting the rocks below your hotel room while reading a good book.

This is the first in a series of travel articles we will be doing in 2025 about unique and lesser-known places to visit along the West Coast. If you have a favorite spot, please feel free to share on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.

By Lorie Ham

The end of 2024 brought a big change for Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services. Chief Executive Officer Jerry Linscheid retired on December 31 after working for the company since June of 2009. Kevin Lucke will be taking on that role in 2025. Before he left, we took a moment to chat with Jerry about his time with Mennonite Aid Plan (MAP) and his future plans.

Q: When you joined MAP in 2009, was it as CEO?

Jerry: I was hired to be the assistant manager to Ron Licata and to focus on church relations. However, Ron died on May 21, a few days before I began. That meant I began as general manager with no orientation or training.

Q: Why did you want to work there and how did that come about?

Jerry: I previously worked for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) out of their regional office in Reedley. I knew my time with MCC was coming to a close. A friend from church, Vern Warkentin, suggested that I apply for the assistant manager position at MAP. As assistant manager, I would use the many church connections I had made during my time with MCC. Vern was on the MAP board at that time. Vern also got me started with the Reedley Rotary Club, so I owe him a lot.

Q: Did you work at any other insurance companies before that?

Jerry: I had been a policy holder with MAP for many years, but had never worked in insurance. I am an attorney by training. That knowledge of contracts, business law, and litigation has come in very handy in this role.

Q: Why did you want to work in the insurance industry?

Jerry: I have heard that question asked many times of people in the insurance industry. Unless a parent is working in insurance, it is usually not something a person sets as their life goal. I sort of fall into that category as well. I was looking for meaningful work that would use my abilities. The position with MAP seemed to be a good fit and it turned out that it was.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about your working there?

Jerry: The people I got to know. We have an amazing staff. Many of them have been with the company longer than I have and helped me learn the insurance business. We have a board of directors that is very supportive and can walk the fine line between being helpful, but not micromanaging. We probably have the best customers of any insurance company. A lot of the insurance industry is based on trust. Things work so much smoother if you can trust what your customer tells you and they trust you to tell the truth and look out for their interests. And we have supporting people who are not our employees, but who do vital work for us. Our adjusters, financial advisors, insurance brokers, accountant, and others keep important aspects of the company on track.

Q: What has been the hardest?

Jerry: In the beginning everything was hard, because there was a steep learning curve. As I have gotten familiar with running the company, the hardest part now is telling a customer that their problem is not covered by their policy. My board has always told me to try and find a way to pay a claim. I have taken that to heart and have come up with some creative (but reasonable) ways to cover a claim. However, not every loss can be covered, and I have to explain why we can’t help.

Q: Can you share a favorite memory from working with MAP?

Jerry: One Sunday morning I got a call from a customer that their tree fell on their house during a windstorm. Before church, I went to the office to start the claim and sent it to our adjuster asking if he would be able to do anything on a Sunday. After his church service was over, he was able to inspect the damage and arranged for some temporary repairs to prevent further damage. After that, the claim proceeded normally. We do not make a practice of working claims on Sundays, but on that day, things fell into place, and we were able to get our customers the help they needed.

Q: What were your general duties as CEO?

Jerry: CEO is a fancy title. I started with the title of general manager and that is probably more descriptive. One of my main functions is to support my staff so they have what they need to work well. At one level, I do menial things like change the light bulbs, smoke alarm batteries, and take out the trash.

At a more managerial level, I negotiate the contracts for tasks I cannot do. My general philosophy is to ask others to do only those things I am willing to do myself. That being said, I quickly realized that there are a number of things others can do more efficiently (issue and endorse auto policies for example). I am happy to let the best person for the job do it.

I am the HR department, so run payroll, keep the employee handbook up to date, hire staff, and deal with internal employment matters. I am the Claims department, so all claims come to me. I handle the claim from start to final settlement. Claims are the reason we exist. I try to be the compassionate face of MAP when bad things happen to our customers.

In the past I have been more heavily involved in marketing. We now have a sales manager who does a much better job than I ever could. I handle most church policies, be that on the property or liability side. Of course, I report to our board of directors. When the Department of Insurance, or A.M. Best, or our reinsurance companies call, I am the one to respond.

Q: What has changed the most over your years of working there?

Jerry: One of the more obvious changes is our freedom from paper files and our reliance on the internet. We used to have a room full of files and a shed full of stored files. Now we generate a few boxes of paper a year. When the internet goes down, there is not much we can do for our customers. Almost everything is on the cloud.

Q: What are you most grateful for that you were able to work there?

Jerry: Everybody has their time to try and make things better. But MAP’s success is not due to one individual. Ninety years before I started, people worked at making MAP a company that could “bear one another’s burdens.” The building blocks were stacked one on another. So when I came, there was a solid structure to work from. Hopefully, I’ve left a few more building blocks in the right places for people coming after me on which to stand.

Q: What will you miss the most after you retire?

Jerry: This is the other side of the same coin where you asked what I enjoy about working at MAP. What I will miss are the people. I live close enough to the office to be able to visit once in a while. But it won’t be quite the same.

Q: What do you plan to do once you retire?

Jerry: I want to stay productive. I want to continue to be around people. And I want to remain active. Those goals might manifest themselves in more bicycling, returning to woodworking, and volunteering.

Q: Will you be staying in the area?

Jerry: Yes, we plan to stay in Reedley in the foreseeable future. Our church and family and friends are here.

Here are a few quotes from some of Jerry’s coworkers:

“I have worked with Jerry since his first day here,” says Dalia Jimenez. “Jerry had no insurance experience when he came here, and he learned from the bottom up and has done a great job. I have enjoyed working with Jerry all these years. He will be missed not just by me, but all the staff. I will miss smelling the coffee when I would get here in the morning—he would have a pot of coffee brewing.”

“I would have to say the best memory of working with Jerry would have to be that he can pretty much fix anything,” shares Claudia Fletes. “All he needs is his cup of coffee in one hand! We are sure going to miss him!”

“Jerry’s calm personality and kindness will be just two of the things I will miss when he retires,” states Michelle L. Heinrichs. “He could listen to a staff member or insured as they were dealing with a stressful situation and respond with kindness and grace that would often deflate the anxiety level. That is a gift.”

If you have a memory to share about Jerry, we would love to have you post it on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.

By Lorie Ham

This November Kevin Lucke began work as Mennonite Aid Plan’s new CEO. Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Kevin lived in Aumsville, Oregon before relocating to the Reedley/Kingsburg area for his new job. He has a BA in business/economics from George Fox College and has been a part of the insurance industry for some time. Recently, we had the chance to chat with Kevin and learn more about him, here is that interview.

Q: When and how did you first become interested in the insurance industry?

Kevin: My mom worked for an insurance company and encouraged me to consider a career in insurance. I was not really sure that it was what I wanted to do, but it turned out to be a great career choice.

Q: What do you like about working in this industry?

Kevin: I like that insurance is a critical part of our economy that helps get people back on their feet when losses occur. Being able to help people in a time of need is a blessing.

Q: What is your experience in this area?

Kevin: I’ve been in the insurance industry for over 30 years in a variety of roles – claims, marketing, underwriting, and executive leadership.

Q: What special skills do you feel you are bringing to the job of CEO with Mennonite Aid Plan (MAP)?

Kevin: I am a collaborative leader with creative solutions. I also love to mentor and empower staff to grow and develop.

Q: What are your goals and hopes for the company?

Kevin: My goal at MAP is to help the company grow its business and expand its reach into other areas. I also want to ensure that MAP continues its mission to provide exceptional service to its members.

Q: Why did you feel that you were a good fit for MAP?

Kevin: I believe MAP’s vision to serve its community aligns with my values and heart for helping people.

Q: Do you have a family?

Kevin: I am married to Christine (32 years) with two adult children (Karyn and Andrew).

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Kevin: My hobbies include travel, sports, and music.

Q: Do you have any pets?

Kevin: I have two cats – they really are my son and daughter’s, but we all claim them! Their names are Shadow and Rainee.

Q: Is there something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

Kevin: I don’t know if they would be surprised, but I played college baseball for four years.

Q: Can you share about your faith journey? Did you grow up in a Christian home or find faith later in life?

Kevin: I grew up in a household that very much believed in God, but did not regularly attend church. I accepted Jesus when I was a freshman in college and have been active in church ever since. I have served as an elder and deacon and have played electric guitar in the worship band.

Q: How do you feel your faith has shaped how you do your job?

Kevin: Showing empathy and compassion and caring about the welfare of others (including my employees) is part of the faith journey. Life is full of challenges and being able to walk beside someone effectively who is going through those challenges allows me to put my faith in action.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Kevin: I am excited to join an organization whose heart and mission represent what the insurance function is all about.

If you have any further questions for the new CEO, feel free to reach out to the Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services office at (559) 638-2327.