Minnesota Region

Rob Keller - Regional Vice President

Rob Keller learned early that advocating for his clients, along with candid, simple honesty, set him apart from others in the employee benefits field. Rob joined National Insurance Services (NIS) in 1990 as a Sales Representative, opening the Minnesota office in 1991. His strong leadership helped cultivate the region into NIS’ largest market today.

Rob currently serves as Regional Vice President. While managing his team, he also works closely with 20 of NIS’s biggest groups in Minnesota, meets with new groups, participates in strategic planning and maintains insurance carrier relationships. Rob is a licensed Insurance Representative specializing in Life, Disability, Dental and Medical Insurance, as well as employer-sponsored 403(b) plans and HRAs for schools, cities and counties in Minnesota and Nevada.

Aaron Casper - Director, 403(b)

Aaron A. Casper, Director at NIS (National Insurance Services), didn’t get where he is today with fast talk and big sales. His genuine integrity is what his clients’ value and has earned him four promotions in 11 years. Aaron understands the unique way governmental organizations operate, manage risk and develop budgets; hence, he delivers reliable solutions for his clients without short cuts or temporary fixes. Aaron advocates for his clients and prides himself on building authentic relationships, even passing up potential short-term opportunities if it doesn’t make long-term sense for his clients.

Aaron Casper is a licensed insurance agent, a registered securities representative with Series 6 and 63 licenses and holds an AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) designation. He specializes in 403(b) compliance services for school districts in the Midwest where he trains regional personnel to help districts with compliance and administrative issues. This specialization, coupled with his straightforward nature, honesty and astute sense of humor is why his customers consider him a valued strategic resource.

Karen Patraw - Sales Representative

Karen Patraw does the hard work so you don’t have to. Her expertise in public sector union negotiated contracts helps groups provide exceptional benefits without sacrificing plan design. Since 2001 Karen has provided organizations with innovative benefit solutions that seamlessly match bargained agreements.

Karen has over 15 years of experience in the Insurance industry. She is licensed in Series 6 and 63 as well as Life, Health, Property and Casual Insurance. She specializes in Life, Disability, Dental and Medical Insurance, as well as employer-sponsored 403(b) plans and HRAs for schools, cities and counties in Minnesota.

Christy Colby- Senior Field Service Representative

Christy Colby, licensed insurance agent and Senior Field Service Representative, takes the idea of “people person” to the extreme. Whether she is on the road at 4 a.m. to make an 8 o’clock meeting, or logging 400 miles just to squeeze in one more customer who needs her, what drives Christy is her passion for her work and her compassion for her customers. Christy says, “My job at NIS is made for me! I love to travel, meet people and educate them about their benefits”.

Christy’s 19 years in the insurance industry and 3 years in the education field was the perfect fit for National Insurance Services when she was hired as a Field Service Representative in 1994. She now specializes in Life, Disability and Dental Insurance benefits for school districts, cities and counties in Minnesota.

Lisa Heiling - Field Service Representative

Lisa Heiling, licensed insurance agent and Field Service Representative, loves face-to-face contact with her clients, handling problems, implementing plans and explaining benefits. Lisa is dedicated to building strong and trustworthy customer relationships.

Lisa brought 10 years of customer service background when she joined National Insurance Services in 2003 and now specializes in Life and Disability Insurance benefits for school districts, cities, towns and counties in Minnesota.

Jody Thelen - Customer Service Representative

Jody Thelen, Inside Customer Service Representative and licensed insurance agent, has one important goal: to learn something new each day. NIS’ clients enjoy her patient, helpful and friendly demeanor.

Jody feels she “lucked out” getting hired by NIS right out of college in 1993 and has been happily serving NIS clients ever since. Jody assists with the preparation of proposals, helps educate groups about their benefits and claims, resolves billing issues and prepares records. Jody specializes in Life and Disability Insurance for school districts, cities and counties in Minnesota.

Connie Dueffert - Inside Service Representative

Connie Dueffert, an experienced 28-year employee benefits representative, gives her all to do what is right for her clients. As her client’s advocate, Connie responds to her customer’s needs on a day-to-day basis: processing plan changes, setting up new accounts and handling concerns.

As a licensed insurance agent, Connie brought 12 years of employee benefit experience with her when she joined National Insurance Services in 1995 as an Inside Service Representative in the Minnesota office. Connie specializes in Life and Disability Insurance benefits for school districts, cities and counties in Minnesota.

Nancy Bushard - Inside Service Representative

Nancy Bushard, Inside Service Representative and licensed insurance agent, believes life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. What sets her apart from others is her ability to choose her attitude towards life and people. Nancy appreciates NIS’s willingness to provide customized solutions because this helps her meet and respond to her client’s individual needs.

As a prior investment representative with series 7 and 63 licenses and a bachelors degree in Marketing Management, Nancy brought her stellar customer service skills coupled with a thorough understanding of risk and risk analysis to NIS in 2004. She specializes in Life and Disability Insurance for school districts, cities and counties in Minnesota.

Charlene LeCrone - Inside Service Representative

Charlene (Char) LeCrone, Inside Customer Service Representative and licensed insurance agent, enjoys creating positive working relationships with her clients by anticipating and responding to their needs. Her Midwestern values and friendly demeanor shine through while she serves her clients as a customer advocate, resource and adviser.

Char has worked inside the insurance industry since 2001 preparing proposals and educating groups about their benefits and claims, resolving billing issues and preparing records. Char joined the Minnesota office of National Insurance Services in 2007, and now specializes in Life and Disability Insurance for school districts, cities and counties.