Lori is a native of Eastern Iowa.  She moved to Kansas in 1979, is married, has two children and is a proud grandma to 6 grandkids.  She started her insurance career in the personal lines department in 2002.  She is currently a customer service representative in commercial lines and has obtained her CISR and CIC designations.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, watching the grandkids compete in sports, raising alpacas and vacationing. Lori and her husband (J.W.) have been owner/operators of the Sno-Shack (shaved ice business) in Hays, KS for 27 years and have contracted with Fort Hays State University Athletic Dept. to see at all athletic events.

Shirley is a native of Hays KS and 1997 graduate of Fort Hays State University. She has worked in the Insurance industry since 2002 and is CISR certified. She has two children, 7 grandchildren and enjoys reading, baking, sewing, traveling and spending time with family in her spare time.

Jim is a lifelong resident of Hays, Kansas.  He joined Insurance Planning in 1987 and has his Certified Insurance Counselor designation for over 25 years.  Jim and his wife Debbie, have three children, Renae, Jason and Andrea, as well as two grandkids, Macy and Miley who live in Wichita Kansas.  He and Debbie enjoy travelling together and with family.  "Each time you travel, you get a new appreciation for what you have at home".  He enjoys getting to know his commercial clients and how their business' work.

A. Ken Brooks, Jr. moved to Hays from Oklahoma in 2007 where he had worked with ISO to help cities and counties in maintain and improve their ISO fire protection ratings. Ken holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Safety from the University of Central Oklahoma. Ken has nearly twenty years of safety experience and currently holds the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designations. As our Loss Control Representative, he can assist in conducting safety meetings, performing safety inspections, and helping to establish safety programs. When Ken is not working, he is enjoying time with his three very active daughters.

Larry began his insurance career with Insurance Planning in 1976 after graduating from Fort Hays State with a Business Finance degree.  Currently he serves as President of Insurance Planning, Inc and is heavily involved in commercial insurance sales.  He grew up near Smith Center, Ks and currently lives in Hays with his wife Margie. Larry obtained his CIC designation in 1979 and his AAI designation in 1989.  His favorite activities include golfing, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.  He has served on multiple local boards and insurance company agency councils throughout his career.

Jolene Cooper is a native of Hays, KS and has been with Insurance Planning Inc since 2000 as a Commercial Lines Account Representative.  She works with all types of commercial accounts and has earned the designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR).

Melissa is a Commercial Lines Customer Service Representative, beginning her insurance career in 2013.  She has earned her CISR designation and is currently working to obtain her CIC designation.  She grew up in Goodland Kansas and currently lives in Hays.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, going to concerts and quilting.

Shelby is a native of Russell, Kansas, attending schools in the Russell County USD 407 district. After graduation, she spent the next several years in Texas and upstate New York working in the Hospitality Industry, later returned to Russell to be closer to family. She was office manager/assistant manager of Smoky Hill Country Club until joining the insurance industry in 2002. She received the Certified Insurance Service Representative(CISR) designation in 2003, the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2005 and is currently licensed in six states. Shelby has knowledge of the Hospitality Industry, Oil and Gas industry, Agriculture and various other markets. An active community member, serving on the board of the Cancer Council of Ellis County, Kiwanis club member-past board member, Wonder Woman League member, current Chamber Ambassador and past president. She is also a very active committee member of Thunder on the Plains, Car, Truck and Cycle group. She resides rural Hays with her husband Jim. They have two daughters, Ashley M. Mitchell and Catie Doty. She enjoys spending time with her family and especially her two grandsons, cooking, gardening, attending and participating in car shows.

Gin Dreiling is a Commercila Lines Customer Service Representative with over eight years of experience.  She has earned her CIC and CISR designatoins and is a specialist in Oil & Gas insurance. Gin also is a graduate of Fort hays State University with a B.S. degree in Business. She enjoys taking care of your insurance needs, so call her with your questions.

Nick is a Kansas Native, with a Bachelors Degree from Fort Hays State University.   Nick is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Hays Area Young Professionals.  Nick has knowledge  of and a working background in the Oil and Gas and Agricultural industries.  Nick has earned his Certified Insurance Counsellor Designation (CIC).  He enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his lovely family.  Call Nick for your commercial insurance needs.

Rebecca Kuhn joined Insurance Planning, Inc. in 2001 and is now part of the Commercial and Agricultural Division.  In 2008 she received her Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist designation in order to better serve the specific needs of clients in Western Kansas.  She is a Hays native who is active in her local parish and community and is rooted in the Great Plains.

Colleen Kuhn is a Victoria Native who has been employed with Insurance Planning since 2010.  Prior to her employement with Insurance Planning she worked in the Victoria school system for almost 18 years as an administrative assistant.  Colleen and her husband, Leon, live on a farm northeast of Victoria.  Together they have two grown boys who are very active in the farming operation.  Colleen has obtained her CISR accrediation and is currently working towards her CIC.  Prior to becoming a commercial lines customer service representative she worked in the claims department.  Please feel free to contact Colleen regarding your insurance needs. 

Rose Meyers is  a Kansas native who has been in the insurance industry since 2011. She specializes in commercial insurance and obtained her CISR designation in 2013. Rose enjoys traveling, fishing and spending time with her 3 children and grandson.

Taylor is a Hays Kansas native, with a Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Hays State University in 2012. Taylor started his insurance career in 2014 and joined the Insurance Planning staff in 2015. Taylor is currently working toward his CISR designation. He enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with his family and friends. Taylor has the ability to understand your business and know how to tailor a comprehensive and competitive insurance program to meet your needs. Contact Taylor for your commercial insurance needs.

Justin is a Western Kansas native and a Graduate of Fort Hays State University.  Justin had the opportunity to play baseball in college at Barton County, Louisiana Lafayette and Fort Hays State.  Justin is a member of the Hays Area Young Professionals and has had the great opportunity to work at Insurance Planning Inc. for over 8 years.  Justin specializes in Commercial Insurance (Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Construction, Bonding, Trucking, etc.) and currently holds his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation.  Justin enjoys fishing, time at the lake and spending time with his wonderful family.  Please do not hesitate to call or email Justin with your insurance needs.   

Cory is a native of Hays, Kansas.  Attended Hays High and also Fort Hays State. Cory is also serving on the Board of the Hays Rotary Club.  Cory specializes in Commercial Insurance.  (Construction, Oil and Gas, Trucking, etc.)  Cory is currently working toward his CISR designation.  In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.  Give Cory a call to discuss your commercial insurance needs. 

Andrew is a Hays Kansas native, having grown up in rural Ellis County.  He attended Fort Hays State University where he earned his Accounting Degree.   In 1980, after several years of Public and Private Accounting experience in Salina and western Kansas he returned to Hays when he joined Insurance Planning, Inc.   He started his insurance career as IPI’s Accountant.   He acquired an ownership position in 1983. Fully licensed Andrew oversees the Agencies Operations including Accounting and HR areas.   An involved community member, he currently serves on the Downtown Hays Development Board, Heartland Community Foundation Board, and FHSU Foundation and also as a Chamber Ambassador. He is a Hays Kiwanis Club member and past president.   He resides in Hays with his Wife, Kathy. They have two children Thomas and Elizabeth.  Call Andrew at the numbers listed with any question or concern you might have.

John is Insurance Planning Inc.’s main contact for all matters involving the claim process.  He will assist you with claim counseling, reporting a new claim, claim document processing, status inquiry, and loss run requests.  John continues to advance his study in several areas of the insurance industry and has obtained designations including Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), and is pursuing the Associate in Underwriting (AU) designation.  John began his insurance career in 1999 as a licensed Agent then 2003 as a Claims Representative and has served as a Board member for a variety of civic, educational, and non-profit entities.  Prior to entering the insurance industry, John's experience was in the vocations of agriculture, automotive, and construction, making him extremely knowledgeable in handling claims of various types.  A native of Western Kansas, John resides in Hays with his wife Shelley, son Cody, daughter Caitlyn, along with their two Yorkies, Wyatt and Sophie.

Dawn Schmidt has been employed by Insurance Planning, Inc. for over 40 years.  Early on in her career, she has obtained both her Kansas Property & Casualty and Kansas Life & Health licenses.  She has also earned the CIC and the AAI insurance designations.  Working primarily in the Commercial Lines department, she trains new Commercial Lines CSR’s, lends support to current Commercial Lines CSR’s and conducts associated educational classes.  Living on a small farm in rural Ellis County, Dawn enjoys spending family time with her husband, two children, their spouses and her 12 grandchildren.

Erika is a native of Hays, KS. She began her career in insurance in 2006 and obtained her CISR designation in 2013. She enjoys being outdoors, crafting and spending time with her husband and family. Contact Erika today!

Kyle is from the Salina, Kansas area, who attended Cloud County Community College where he achieved a Bachelors in Business Arts while playing baseball for two years; eventually he attended Fort Hays University. He began working at IPI on July 1^st of 2021. Kyle is currently working on achieving his CISR designation . In his free time Kyle enjoys hunting, fishing, sporting and spending time with his friends and family.

John is a Kansas native, moving to Hays from the Phillipsburg area in northwest Kansas.  He graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance in 1993.  After joining Insurance Planning, Inc. in 1994, he obtained his licensing for life, health, property & casualty insurance and in 1996 earned his Certified Insurance Counselor designation.  As a specialist in the commercial lines area, the majority of his time is spent working with business owners building and maintaining an insurance program that is tailored to their specific operation.  John and his wife, Shelbi, enjoy spending time with their 3 children, Tyler, Avery and Joshua.  Most free time is spent attending and being involved in their many sporting, academic and art activities.  His hobbies are golf, hunting and anything K-State.

Susan Unrein, accounting assistant, has worked in the accounting field for nearly 40 years with the last 13 in the insurance industry at Insurance Planning Inc.  Susan is married to Neil, they have 5 children and 8 grandchildren.  A Colorado native, she has lived in the Hays area for 20 years.

Tiffany is a Certified Insurance Counselor, having obtained this designation in August of 2022.

Marilyn Kroeger is a native of Ellis, Kansas where she resides with her husband, Steve.  She is a graduate of Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas.

Marilyn started her insurance career with Insurance Planning, Inc. in 1977, and currently is an account representative for IPI Financial Services, a division of Insurance Planning, Inc.

She was previouly involved with Northwest Kansas Association of Life Underwriters.  During that time, she obtained her LUTCF designation. 

Marilyn stands ready to help service the accounts in a prompt, accurate and courteous manner.

Gene specializes in health insurance which includes Medicare related coverages such as Medicare supplement and Medicare Part D. Gene has been in the industry since 1986 and has acquired his LUTCF and CBC designations. He is very active in the Hays Lions Club and Hays Community Theatre. Gene is married and father of one and grandfather of two girls. Contact Gene today.