WHO WE ARE

Warren Ploeger

Majority Stockholder

ABI Employee Since: 1992

Family: Wife – Nancy, grown children – Lonnie, Lynn, Lori, Leah, and Lance, grandchildren – 16!

What are your responsibilities?
I am semi-retired but I am involved in trouble-shooting and some management.

Have you held other titles with ABI?
I was the sole stockholder and president until I brought my son, Lonnie, into the business.

What do you enjoy most about working at ABI?
We without a doubt furnish a service to many of our sub-agents in Iowa and Nebraska that is sorely needed in this type of business.

How would you explain ABI to folks who don’t know the company?
The crop insurance business is very complex. We are the second and third set of eyes that ensure our farm customers are getting what they deserve for products that are available. It is more important than ever at this point in agriculture.

Where did you work prior to joining ABI?
I started as a fieldman with Old Republic Companies based out of Chicago. They were the very first stock company to sign a re-insurance contract with the feds in 1981.

Why did you join ABI?
I had led the nation in sales each year for Old Republic and had worked my way up to a Regional Vice President. Old Republic decided to leave the crop insurance business in 1992 and helped me start my own.

Why should customers do business with ABI?
The fact we have customers (I would rather call them associates) that I have been with for 30+ years tell it all. We have core values that are a big part of who we are. The people we do business with know that our word is our bond. It all goes back to taking care of the farmer’s risk management needs. Without them, none of us are in business. Any kind of success that I have had I can humbly thank the American farmer for.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy walking and am a crazy sports fan. I enjoy watching my grandkids in their various activities.

What’s one surprising fact about you?
I am really old school. What you see is what you get. Too many people try to be something they’re not. What’s the purpose?

Lonnie Ploeger

Co-owner/General Manager

ABI Employee Since: 2003

Family: Wife – Kathy, children – Elle, Charlie, Emerson, and Enley

What are your responsibilities?
I manage the overall operation of the business. I visit our current sub-agencies and work on establishing new relationships with other sub-agencies. I work closely with the AIPs to keep current on new products,technology, and opportunities they have available.

Have you held other titles with ABI?
I started in the crop insurance underwriting, date entering policies, working on the phone with sub-agents, and filing. Eventually, I moved to Office Manager where we continued to offer great customer service. I then moved to General Manager when my father decided to slow down and let me take over the day-to-day operations.

What do you enjoy most about working at ABI?
I really enjoy working with our sub-agents and with crop insurance in general. We have a great staff that makes it easy to go to work every day!

How would you explain ABI to folks who don’t know the company?
We are a service oriented business. We take the burden off of the agent by freeing up their time. An agent has more time to sell insurance and we help take care of the details so they don't have to. A lot of agencies have more than one line of insurance and it seems the AIPs change underwriters a lot. Our staff stays current with the crop insurance guidelines and regulations and this helps keep our agents updated, too.

Where did you work prior to joining ABI?
I started teaching and coaching at Pomeroy-Palmer Schools in 1993. I was head baseball coach, junior high volleyball coach, junior high and assistant high school basketball coach, and junior high track coach. I then moved to the Kingsley-Pierson Community School district in 1997 where I taught 4th grade and ended up being K-8 principal for a few years.

Why did you join ABI?
I loved working with kids and had a lot of great experiences teaching and coaching, but I was looking for a new challenge and my dad was wanting to bring in someone from the family to learn the business and eventually take it over. I had to work my way up in order to become General Manager and I am very appreciative of my dad doing this as I was able to learn the business from the ground up!

Why should customers do business with ABI?
I think agents should do business with ABI because we are so diverse with options to keep their customers with them. The evolution of all the private products has allowed farmers new risk management options. Most AIPs require a minimum volume premium so it isn’t feasible to have many companies. We have the diversity in company selection to help agents keep their farmers with them. We have also been able to help our agents with accuracy which helps reduce errors and omissions claims!

What is your background?
I grew up on a farm near Schaller. Our main focus was on livestock and we ran sows and over a 100 head of quarter horses. We baled a lot of hay and straw every year. It was hard work but I always enjoyed being on the farm. I now live on an acreage by Pierson where we have a small show pig operation and raise aronia berries.

What are your hobbies?
Our family is active in 4-H so we try to participate in livestock shows whenever possible. We enjoy sporting events as a family.

What’s one surprising fact about you?
I was able to coach in two state championship basketball games when I coached at Pomeroy-Palmer.

Lori Lyons

Underwriter and Office Manager

ABI Employee Since: 2008

Family: Husband – Dave, grown children Sarah (husband – Scott) and Mitch, grandchildren (the loves of Lori’s life) Conner and Aubree

What are your responsibilities?
As an underwriter, I review MPCI policies for accuracy and timeliness, assist agents with questions, stay abreast of the changes in the crop insurance industry, process the annual reports, politely answer phones with an accommodating attitude. As an Office Manager, I maintain the office in a working condition suitable for all employees.

What do you enjoy most about working at ABI?
I am a people person and truly enjoy working with people and developing relationships. In my role at ABI, I have the opportunity to work with an incredible staff and work with many agents in a variety of capacities. Once a relationship is established, there is a level of respect, trust and loyalty that follow. In this office, we pride ourselves on solid relationships!

How would you explain ABI to folks who don’t know the company?
ABI is a Multi Peril and Crop Hail processing service for many insurance agents in many states. ABI has a contract with 10 different Approved Insurance Providers therefore being able to satisfy the needs of any insured. ABI constantly keeps updated and informed on the ever changing crop insurance world. ABI offers a helpful, pleasant staff who pass attention to the needs of their agents.

Why did you join ABI?
ABI staff seemed genuinely content with their work environment. I've personally known the Ploegers for many years and knew that I would be working for a family-oriented office that takes pride in what they do and are committed to the people they serve.

Why should customers do business with ABI?
We work for our agents! ABI has been a solid business since 1992 and takes pride in working for and with the agents and farmers. Being committed to crop insurance has allowed ABI to have a solid foundation in the industry to be able to build a future for the farming industry. Our staff is dedicated to service!

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy golfing with my husband, dancing, going on walks, sitting at a coffee shop with a friend, and spending time with family.

What’s one surprising fact about you?
I owned and operated a meat market in Minnesota prior to moving to Iowa.

Tonia Blum

Bookkeeper and Underwriter

ABI Employee Since: 2012

Family: Husband – Kory, children – Klint, Kolton, Dawson, Brayden, and Addisyn

What are your responsibilities?
I currently handle all the bookkeeping responsibilities and pay commissions. I also process policies into the computer systems.

What do you enjoy most about working at ABI?
I enjoy the people that I work with the most. We have a great group of office staff that works well together and also a great group of agents that we service who are good to work with.

How would you explain ABI to folks who don’t know the company?
Agri Business is a processing center which means we underwrite and key policies into the AIPs computer systems for outside agencies. Policies are first checked over to make sure that all the necessary information is on the forms correctly and then keyed into the computer system. ABI also has qualified crop insurance agents who service farmers as well.

Why did you join ABI?
My initial reason for joining ABI was because I knew the family I was going to work for. The Ploeger family are great employers. But now I really enjoy the crop insurance industry.

Why should customers do business with ABI?
Farmers and agents should do business with ABI because we care about your business. We pride ourselves in making sure we are up-to-date on all the newest things in crop insurance. And we also make sure your policies are done correctly.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my children. I also enjoy reading.

What’s one surprising fact about you?
When I have time (which is not often), I enjoy sewing.

Melodie Schleisman

Office Manager, Lake City

ABI Employee Since: 1992

Family: Husband – Kevin

What are your responsibilities?
Underwriting and processing crop-hail and multi-peril crop insurance policies. Answering questions from our agents and giving them the best service possible.

What do you enjoy most about working at ABI?
It is a family business; everyone cares about what is happening in each other's lives. A very pleasant and easy going atmosphere.

How would you explain ABI to folks who don’t know the company?
ABI processes multi-peril and crop-hail policies for crop insurance agencies. We also help them with any underwriting/accounting questions they may have. ABI is the link for the agent with the company, the agents can come to us with any questions instead of having to contact the company direct.

Where did you work prior to joining ABI?
Old Republic Companies, which actually at that time (1987) was one of the crop insurance companies. Old Republic got out of the crop insurance business in 1992 and that is when Warren started ABI.

Why did you join ABI?
I first applied at Old Republic when I graduated from college, it seemed like an interesting place to work, I had never heard of multi-peril crop insurance. I worked for Old Republic until Warren started ABI.

Why should customers do business with ABI?
I feel ABI can give quality service to help agents with their crop insurance needs. ABI helps the agents build great relationships with their customers.

What is your background?
I grew up on a small acreage. My father had approximately 20 tillable acres and a herd of 30 Black Angus cows. My father-in-law belongs to a corporation that farms 2,800 acres. My husband works part-time for farmers in the area.

What are your hobbies?
Walking and taking care of my cats.

What’s one surprising fact about you?
I like to watch game shows. Also, I have never flown in a large airplane.