MEM has added six new members to its Agents’ Advisory Council in 2025. This diverse group of insurance experts will advise MEM on marketing strategies and advocate for agents’ needs. Members serve three-year terms, ensuring consistent engagement and fresh perspectives on the 20-member council of independent agents.
“The expertise from the council in multiple coverage states informs our work at MEM in a critical way,” Rene Eslinger, Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer said. “As our policyholder needs to continue to grow beyond Missouri, their feedback ultimately leads to a stronger partnership that drives value to our policyholders.”
MEM welcomes the following new council members:
James Boesen is a Producer for Marsh & McLennan Agency in Omaha, Nebraska. He has more than 14 years of experience in the insurance industry. In addition to working with clients to navigate complex risk management needs in the energy, construction and transportation industries. James is a licensed attorney with past experience working in state and federal trial and appellate courts, representing insurance companies, insureds and commercial clients.
Outside the office, he is a member of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Executive Leadership Committee, and his past community service includes the Omaha Bar Association, Omaha Northstar and the Women’s Center for Advancement. He also enjoys travel, golf and walks with his wife, Whitney and Wheaten Terrier, Barry.
Brian Dolewski serves as Chief Sales Officer at Árachas Group, LLC, in Bartlett, Illinois. He brings two decades of experience in the insurance industry to his role; beginning his career as a producer in 2005. In 2020, he became a partner at Árachas Group.
He holds the CRM and CAWC designations, and he is currently pursuing his CIC designation. Brian enjoys golfing and cherishes time with his partner Angela, and his three children: Damien, Olivia, and James.
Chris Leming is a Partner at Troxell in Springfield, Illinois, and has more than 27 years of experience in the insurance industry. In 1999, he joined Troxell as a producer specializing in property and casualty insurance before becoming partner in 2008. Since then, Troxell has experienced significant geographic expansion and doubled its size.
Before joining Troxell, he honed his skills at a national insurance firm, where he underwent extensive training and education in the industry. Today, he serves a diverse range of property and casualty and group benefits clients across multiple industries, leveraging his in-depth knowledge and commitment to excellent service.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris and his wife Margaret have three children. He dedicates his time and actively participates on several boards, underscoring his commitment to making a positive impact locally in Central Illinois.
Chase Marable serves as Managing Director at Higginbotham in Springfield, Missouri. He has more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. At Higginbotham, he provides innovative risk management and insurance solutions to meet the unique needs of his clients. He is actively engaged in community service, serving on the boards of Generations Village, Sigma Nu, and KVC Health. His dedication to these organizations underscores his commitment to making a positive impact beyond his professional endeavors.
In addition to his professional and philanthropic pursuits, he is passionate about his real estate business, which reflects his entrepreneurial spirit. He also enjoys spending quality time with his family and exploring new destinations through his love of travel.
Josh Roberts serves as Vice President and Managing Consultant at OneDigital in St. Louis, Missouri. He has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience. He started his career at Marsh & McLennan Co in the Risk Management – Casualty Department and has been with HM/OneDigital for 16 years as a VP/Managing Consultant in the Property & Casualty practice.
His team’s area of focus is industries such as trucking and transportation, manufacturing, real estate and healthcare. He also serves on the board of St. Louis Independent Agents.
Jacob Yount is a Senior Risk Advisor at Lakenan Insurance in Perryville, Missouri, and has more than 12 years of experience in the insurance industry.
He has served as a Senior Risk Advisor at Lakenan since 2012. While serving clients in a broad number of industries, he has focused on construction, transportation, and municipalities. Using cutting-edge risk management strategies, he helps clients proactively mitigate claims, making him a valuable partner in maintaining an organization’s profitability.
He currently holds the designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Work Comp Advisor (CWCA). He has a degree in business management.
He serves on the board of directors for Aging Matters, a nonprofit that distributes state and federal funding to senior programs in 18 Missouri counties. He is also actively involved with his local Chamber of Commerce. In his free time, Jacob enjoys travel as well as hiking, kayaking, or hunting when the weather is nice.
MEM would also like to recognize the following outgoing Agents’ Advisory Council members for their years of service and insights:
Mark Baker, Agency Principal and Chief Sales Agent with JBLB Insurance in Cameron, Missouri. Baker has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry.
Patti Hensler, Chief Operating Officer with First State Insurance in Farmington, Missouri. Hensler has been in the insurance industry for more than 30 years.
Eric Kaup, President of Naught-Naught Insurance in Columbia, Missouri. Kaup has been in the insurance industry for more than 17 years.
Nick Rayoum, Partner and Senior Risk Advisor with Lakenan Insurance in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. He has served with Lakenan for the past 15 years.
Matt Speight, President and Account Executive with the Scott Agency in Montgomery City, Missouri. Speight has more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry.
Tracy Stewart, Vice President of Commercial Insurance Operations with The Daniel and Henry Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. She has been with The Daniel and Henry Company for more than 9 years.
Jeff Walters, Vice President of Business Development with OneDigital in St. Louis, Missouri. He has more than 17 years of insurance industry experience.