We want to be on a first-name basis with you. Get to know the people who will help you with all of your insurance needs—from purchasing your policy to helping you with a claim.
Joe Bob Atkins, CIC, CPIA, AAI
Owner of Arnold Insurance Agency
Specializes in Crop, Large Agriculture, and Commercial Accounts
Arnold Office
Licensed in Crop, Life Insurance & Annuities, Property & Casualty, Sickness Accident & Health, and Variable Contracts
Joe Bob is serious when it comes to insurance, his agency, and your protection. He’s a hard worker with big dreams and even bigger goals. Joe Bob’s an involved leader in the community and insurance industry with noted positions such as Grange Mutual board member for eight years, a founding member of the Arnold Economic Development Corporation in 2002 and current advisory member, North Star Mutual Agent advisory council member since 2011, Rural Community Insurance Services Agent advisory council member, vice president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Nebraska/Iowa (PIA) with an upcoming term as president in 2014, and member of the PIA National Crop Working Group and Legislative Committee. He’s even more involved with his family. Ask him about “spaghetti tacos” and the joys of coaching baseball, football, and wrestling.
His wife, Randi, and their four children love going camping. In fact, his idea of a dream vacation would be two weeks in Alaska with the family and an extra week for himself bow hunting Kodiak bears.
Since he and Randi became principle owners of the Arnold Insurance Agency in 2000, Joe Bob’s earned a reputation for always looking out for his clients’ best interests…while having some serious fun.
Randi Atkins
Owner of Arnold Insurance Agency
Arnold Office
You can pretty much guarantee that whenever you run into Randi, you’ll have the pleasure of meeting one or more of her four children. She admits that she’s known for “always having a trail of kids behind me.” Keeping track of her children—and all of their activities—suits her well. And while her husband thinks Alaska would make an ideal vacation destination, Randi would opt for Greece. What makes Arnold a great community according to Randi is that everyone will gather to support you and help you out when you need it. The same could be said about Randi and all of the independent agents at Arnold Insurance Agency.
Heather Harwager, CISR, CPSR
Specializes in Commercial Accounts, Including Commercial Farms
Arnold Office
Licensed in Crop, Life Insurance & Annuities, Property & Casualty, and Sickness Accident & Health
What does “The Big Bang Theory,” volunteering with the High School Rodeo Club, a good piece of smoked salmon, and Arnold Insurance Agency have in common? These are just a few of Heather’s favorite things. What else? Traveling with her husband Jess to their two children’s—JW and Hannah—sporting activities, followed by scrapbooking all of their memories. And when she’s not dreaming about taking an Alaskan cruise (in the summer, of course!), she unashamedly admits she likes to clean and organize things. Sounds like the kind of person you might want helping you with your insurance needs!
Sara Buchholz, CISR
Specializes in Farms
Arnold Office
Licensed in Property & Casualty and Title Insurance
You can’t get much farther away from an ocean than Arnold, Nebraska. But that didn’t keep Sara from wanting to become a marine biologist when she grew up. Instead, she got her feet in the insurance industry and became a licensed agent in 2004. One of the most fun days she ever had was spent in downtown Minneapolis with her son Jarret. They combined dining at the Hard Rock Café with a Minnesota Twins baseball game. As someone who enjoys photography and traveling, Sara would love to tour Italy for a month or so. Until that opportunity comes along, she enjoys volunteering her time on the board of the local nonprofit theater.
Shelley Smith
Accountant and Specializes in Crop Insurance
Arnold Office
Licensed in Crop and Property & Casualty
This NASCAR-loving mother of four is definitely the adventurous type. Shelley’s a board member of the Sandhills Open Road Challenge, is an EMT for the Arnold Fire Department, and dreams of a Hawaiian vacation with her husband Robbi. But the most awesome fun day she ever had was in 2009 when the family vacationed in Florida. They went to Daytona Beach for the morning and then attended a NASCAR race in the afternoon. With more than 20 years’ insurance experience, Shelley’s a knowledgeable resource to talk to for all of your insurance needs.
Sheila Preston, CPSR, CPIA
Specializes in Personal Lines
Arnold Office
Licensed in Property & Casualty
Shelia knows how to take good care of all of her clients’ insurance needs. It’s no wonder—after all, she wanted to be a nurse when she was younger. Now she’s a licensed agent who specializes in personal lines of insurance. It’s a good fit for a person who appreciates the friendly smiles that greet her when walking down Arnold’s main street. You’ll enjoy Shelia’s friendly and helpful manner whenever you call with your insurance questions.
Rudy Vickers
Specializes in Personal Lines
Arnold Office
Licensed in Property & Casualty
The best advice Rudy ever received was to "find a job you love and you'll never work a day of your life." Even though Rudy realized his family would starve if he pursued his childhood dream of becoming a professional golfer, he's found a job that suits him quite well. Insurance is all about relationships, and Rudy's genuine love for helping people is evident and stems from his love of family. His admiration for his Grandpa Lou helped shape him into a happily married father of three young children: Drew, Charli, and Hudson. Rudy hopes his children are his biggest fans, and if he isn't already, we're sure he will be as Rudy says his proudest accomplishment is "to be announced at a later date." This nine-year volunteer fire and rescue member, little league baseball coach, and proud father and husband finds great joy in looking out for the best interests of not only his family, but his customers as well. He can't help it, it just comes naturally.
Piper Lacy
Specializes in All Insurance
Grant Office
Helping others comes naturally to Piper. It’s no wonder why…as a child, her father taught her the wonderful gift of giving. With dreams of becoming a lawyer when she grew up, Piper found that helping people protect themselves, their families, and their assets through insurance to be a satisfying profession. Best known for her caring personality, you can count on Piper to have your back in a time of need. Piper’s practical upbringing reminds her that “if it’s too good to be true, think twice before you do.” When not helping those around her, you’ll find Piper enjoying time with her daughter Alexis, playing piano, eating Mexican food, and watching Superstar. And secretly listening to Tears For Fears.
Donell Geisert
Specializes in All Insurance
Grant Office
Family is a top priority to Donell, and now she has an abundance of family when she joined the Arnold Insurance Agency family. Taking care of others is what Donell does best, and her insurance customers for the last 34 years, along with her kids and grandkids, wholeheartedly agree. Donell hopes to combine two of her favorite things someday—walking and being with her family—by taking a dream vacation to Disney World. With a love for old movies to today’s top 40 hits and Chinese food to Mexican food, we have no doubt that Disney World will have plenty of diverse activities to spark her imagination.
Jennifer Peterson
Specializes in Personal Lines
Ogallala Office
Licensed in Property & Casualty
This young-at-heart grandmother makes sure to have fun every day…but don’t tell her she’s not 18 anymore because she just might argue with you! It’s not uncommon to find Jennifer acting silly with the grandkids, listening to Taylor Swift, and enjoying an episode of Revenge in between her duties as president of the Paxton Housing Authority board or as secretary on the Lutheran Church Council. Married for 34 years with three grown daughters, Jennifer has actually been involved in insurance longer than she’s been married! Her knowledge and experience, combined with her enthusiasm makes Jennifer up for any challenge you throw her way—all the while with a cheerful smile. Her dream vacation is an Alaskan cruise, and with her drive and vigor, we’re sure she will set sail someday soon.
Marcia Rau
Specializes in Personal Lines and Health
Ogallala Office
Licensed in Property & Casualty and Health
Marcia is doing exactly what she always wanted to do in life—teach and coach. Marcia unquestionably teaches those around her every day simply by leading by example. Her positive attitude, outstanding customer service, and good ole honest hard work landed her the title of "CSR of the Year" in 2009. In her role as coach for the Grant High School JV girls basketball team, a winning record of 100-13 in 14 years demonstrates her ability to devise and execute a winning game plan. She applies that same passion into developing a winning game plan for her customers. Honesty, sweetness, and heart are qualities she greatly admires in her mother…and we're happy to say she's inherited those same qualities tenfold.