Fun Facts
Dog, no question.
Favorite TV Show?
Seinfeld
Should pineapple go on pizza?
NEVER
Favorite athlete?
Tiger Woods
Streaming or cable?
Both
Mike - Managing Partner
Has been in insurance since 1995
About Mike
Third generation, father and grandfather were both insurance brokers.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I love meeting people, talking to people and making sure the client knows that we are there when needed.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
I had an Edmonton Oiler as a client, even though I was only 10 years older than him, he kept calling me Mr. Leibel every time we spoke.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
The rubber meets the road when a client has a claim. Then they get to see what they have paid for over the years.
What was you first job?
Washing dishes at Bonanza.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Jason Bateman
What was your dream job growing up?
Athlete or lawyer.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Travel, Golf, Ski, Hockey, Hike, fantasy football, food geek and wine geek.
Jared Leibel, BA - Managing Partner
Has been in insurance since 1999
About Jared
How did you get into insurance?
It’s a family business, third generation. So, I guess you can say it’s in my blood.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I really enjoy the interaction with our clients and staff members. In our job we meet new people from all walks of life and it’s up to us to make sure we are providing the best coverage available for their situation.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
Well, off the top of my mind I immediately think about the long-term clients who used to deal with my father. They still love to come into the office unannounced, no emails or phone call they just prefer to have a face-to-face meeting. Which I totally get!
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
Service, service, service. I have found over the years that being able to get a hold of your broker when you need them goes a long way.
What was you first job?
Pumping gas at the age of 14.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
I’ve been told Ryan Gosling?
What was your dream job growing up?
Wall Street Trader.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
I enjoy golfing, skiing & hiking …. I also have a slight addition to fantasy football.
Fun Facts
100% dogs
Favorite TV Show?
Seinfeld
Should pineapple go on pizza?
Yes!
Favorite athlete?
Tom Brady
Streaming or cable?
Cable
Fun Facts
Dog
Favorite TV Show?
Seinfeld
Should pineapple go on pizza?
For Sure, but no mushrooms
Favorite athlete?
So many goods ones out there now, all time Bobby Clarke, but that McDavid guy is not too bad.
Streaming or cable?
Both
Adin - Managing Partner
Has been in insurance since 2001
About Adin
After spending 10 years in the Oilfield and Utility installation HDD industry, I wanted to be in town more, so I got my licenses and joined my family at Plains Insurance.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I enjoy it on a daily basis, I have never not wanted to come in, talk with clients, employees and underwriters.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
I have had so many since 2001, most good some not so good but all have been a memory and learning experience that I get to look back on.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
Treat your clients the same way you would want to be treated.
What was you first job?
Delivering Edmonton Journal.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oh, so many options but I have to go with Pizza.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
I honestly have no idea –Alec Baldwin.
What was your dream job growing up?
Helicopter Pilot.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Building things, anything that I can draw up, Golf, Travel, Camping, hockey, time with family, working on the yard.
Travis Vanberg, CAIB - Branch Manager
Has been in insurance since 2000
About Travis
How did you get into insurance?
It was my Plan B - Plan A was playing in the NHL. My playing career was sadly cut short due to poor scouting and the politics of hockey, while I continue to toil away in late night beer league games.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
Why do anything else?
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
I drove an elderly man home one day. He had taken the bus to come pay his insurance. When he came into the office, I saw he had a cane and could barely walk. He was leaving the office and I saw him crossing the street to the bus stop. I knew he lived far away, and he'd probably have to take 2-3 buses to get home. I went and got in my car, pulled up to the bus stop, and told him to get in. I said I'd take him home, and he told me he needed to get medicine from the pharmacy and groceries for his wife. I told him no sweat! I helped him into the car, and we were off on an adventure! It felt good to help him.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
Just be yourself. Far too many times I tried to act more professional or act the way I thought clients would respond to. Just being yourself is far more important, genuine, and freeing than trying to be someone else.
What was you first job?
My first job was delivering flyers.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sunshine and lollipops.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Christopher Walken. "Needs more cowbell!"
What was your dream job growing up?
It was a toss up between a pickup artist, or a waterslide tester.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Coaching hockey!
Fun Facts
Dogs 1000%.
Favorite TV Show?
Letterkenny
Should pineapple go on pizza?
Yes, and it's no one's business what others put on their food or decide to eat... unless it's a COVID-infected bat. Maybe don't eat that.
Favorite athlete?
Wayne Gretzky and Conor McDavid.
Streaming or cable?
Yes.
Fun Facts
I love both cats and dogs, but cats are out of the question as am severely allergic to them.
Favorite TV Show?
I like watching renovation shows on HGTV to get ideas, but I don’t like the idea of doing the renovations.
Should pineapple go on pizza?
I love Pineapple on pizzas.
Favorite athlete?
Streaming or cable?
I do both streaming a cable.
Shawna - Account Executive
Has been in insurance since 2007
About Shawna
I was told by a family friend that this was a rewarding career, and this is what interested my as she worked in the field as well.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I have remained in insurance for so long because it is constantly changing and evolving so there is always something new.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
There are so many it is hard to choose just one!
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
The biggest lesson I have learned over the years is that you are never done learning.
What was you first job?
My first job was a cashier at KFC.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be pasta, I can never get tired of pasta.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
An actor to play me in a biopic Mila Kunis.
What was your dream job growing up?
My dream job growing up was to be a vet but then decided I may not be cut out for it because I wouldn’t do very good with sick and dying animals I would be too sad.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Hobbies outside of work not to much as I am pretty busy with my 2 munchkins Aria & Tristan.
Madison - Receptionist
Has been in insurance since 2017
About Madison
How did you get into insurance?
I thought long and hard about switching careers I finally took the leap and never looked back.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I love dealing with clients, I am a people person and I love the duties that come with being a receptionist.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
A client told me if he could nominate 1 business in the Edmonton area who has the politest and best receptionist it would be ours….hands down!
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
You never know someone’s story, each interaction is a new one so always be nice.
What was you first job?
Worked at a gym.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Julia Roberts.
What was your dream job growing up?
To become a nurse.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
I love being outside, walking, being with my Family & Friends.
Fun Facts
Dogs
Favorite TV Show?
Survivor or Big Brother (any reality)
Should pineapple go on pizza?
No way!
Favorite athlete?
Ryan Smith, Connor McDavid
Streaming or cable?
Streaming
Carly - Account Executive
Has been in insurance since 2021
About Carly
How did you get into insurance?
I decided to get into insurance because most of my family is in this business, I am the fourth generation to take on this career and I’m looking forward to many more years.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
I have stayed in insurance because it has been a great experience meeting many new people.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
One of our clients that had some problems with her payment dates, we went back and forth for many months and she would call me just to ask me how my weekend was.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
Since I just started I learned that there is a lot more info required to know then I would’ve imagined.
What was you first job?
Old Folks home, serving them food and keeping them company.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Short Ribs.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Tina Fey.
What was your dream job growing up?
RCMP.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Photography, fishing, quadding, being out on the acreage with all the animals.
Fun Facts
Dogs
Favorite TV Show?
Seinfeld
Should pineapple go on pizza?
Never
Favorite athlete?
Zack Kassian
Streaming or cable?
Streaming
Fun Facts
Dogs.
Favorite TV Show?
Game of Thrones.
Should pineapple go on pizza?
Sure, why not!
Favorite athlete?
Does Arnold count, he’s my all-time fav!
Streaming or cable?
Streaming, haven’t had cable for years.
Audrey Alexander, CAIB - Account Executive
Has been in insurance since 2019
About Audrey
How did you get into insurance?
Fluke, I was dealing poker in casino, get tired of night shifts.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
Tried to retire a few years ago, I was bored out of my mind.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
One time I got a call from existing client who asked me if he could get insurance on his girlfriend’s breast augmentation.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
Things take time, don’t rush.
What was you first job?
Customer Service at Lexxus international.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bison, you are what you eat, why not be a bad ass.
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Audrey Hepburn ?
What was your dream job growing up?
I thought I would be a good teacher, good thing I didn’t, all the kids will be crying if I did.
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Fitness, Martial arts, hiking, golfing, learning new things.
Amanda Smith
About Amanda
How did you get into insurance?
Applied to be reception at Statefarm and the owner challenged me to get my license.
Why have you stayed in insurance?
It is an industry that is always changing, and I enjoy helping clients.
What is your most memorable customer interaction?
I had insured a client’s home. The home was involved in a fire and was a total loss. I helped her through the claims process, and she was extremely pleased with my service and how I handled it. She was so pleased she bought me flowers.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years in the industry?
There is usually a solution to every problem. You just have to think outside the box.
What was you first job?
Line cook at Pizza Hut
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Seafood (specifically crab legs)
What actor would play you in a biopic?
Charlize Theron
What was your dream job growing up?
Pediatrician
What hobbies are you into outside of work?
Bowling, cooking, traveling, and hanging out with family and friends.
Fun Facts
Yes, I have a hairless cat!
