Christie Stang

Attended Rocori High School and University of MN- Duluth. Christie earned her Property & Casualty license in March of 1994, and her Health & Life license in June of 1995. Christie brings a wealth of knowledge to North Central Insurance as she has worked in both a captive and independent agency.  

Christie became an independent agent in June of 1995 and earned her CISR designation in December of 2013, as well as her CPIA designation in April of 2017.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening and hanging out with friends and family. Christie also has a silver lab named Ramsay and a tuxedo cat named Gordon who she loves spending time with.

She enjoys the insurance industry and brings knowledge, value, loyalty and determination to provide great results for her clients! 

Dave Stewart

Dave and his family have lived in Nowthen since 1993. He has been with North Central Insurance since 1998 and has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Dave’s daughter, Sadie, received her insurance license in July 2018 and started working with him in the fall of 2018.

Dave and his wife Holly spend their free time camping and traveling. They also enjoy taking trips on their motorcycle.

Ben Bauman

Ben has worked in insurance since 1992 starting with a large life insurance company which was helpful in learning the procedures and processes of insurance. After six years there, Ben came to North Central to work in customer service with the intent of finding out how to better serve his clients as an independent agent. While at North Central an opportunity for ownership presented itself in July of 2001 and Ben took the opportunity. Ben bought the agency and began making changes intended to add new companies, new lines of business and new brokers to improve the opportunity to serve North Central Insurance Agency’s clients. Through hard work and dedication of our agents Ben has fostered growth through doing the right thing and offering competitive products with appropriate coverage for the appropriate risk.

Michael Serie – RETIRED

Time to celebrate… Pete or Mike or Viper Serie retired on his birthday, April 15th, 2022.
Mike helped our clients for many years and we couldn’t have grown without him!

Mike started in the business in 1977 while Ben was in 3rd grade and 6 of our current
agents were not born yet, so it is well deserved that he goes out while he is still on top.

Thank you, Mike, for bringing a good attitude, energy and a helping philosophy each day.

You have helped so many people in a bind with their insurance coverage, get back on solid ground.
Enjoy time traveling, hanging with family, golfing and relaxing.

Thank you for a job well done.

The Entire NCIA Staff

If you would like to say hi to Mike, feel free to reach out to him, send messages to: Mike Serie — Retired

Emily Leaf

Graduated from Big Lake High School in 2001. Received my Property and Casualty License in 2015 and have been with North Central Insurance since then.

In my spare time, I love to spend it with my husband and children. I enjoy doing pretty much anything outdoors from mowing the lawn to floating on the lake and camping.

I strive, as an agent, to be the best educator that I can be for my clients to truly help them understand the ins and outs of what they are buying.

Paul Leaf

Paul Leaf is new to the Agency having earned his Property and Casualty License in 2018. Originally from Minnetonka, Paul attended Hopkins Lindbergh HS and the University of Minnesota. Paul has a strong financial background working for Whirlpool Financial Corporation and with nearly a dozen Fortune 100 and 500 companies. While he is new to the insurance industry, he understands and is devoted to helping people, best yet, he is surrounded by his peers/coaches and his extraordinary wife, Emily… also an Agent with North Central Insurance Agency.

Outside of the office, he enjoys home projects, fishing, friends, and traveling near and far to be with family. A devout Vikings fan, he demonstrates tolerance and patience with Emily … a Packer’s Fanatic.

Sadie Murphy

Sadie has been a licensed insurance agent since 2018. Although she is newer to the insurance business, Sadie has the drive and determination to be an effective problem solver regarding all of your insurance needs. Sadie was raised in and around the insurance business, as her father, Dave Stewart has been an agent with North Central Insurance for more than two decades. Sadie loves learning new things and she is prepared to spend the rest of her career learning how to best serve her clients.

Side note: Sadie loves animals, especially her cats & dogs, she enjoys hanging out with them, her husband and family, in her free time!

Jon Griert

 Jon is originally from Illinois and went to High School in Buffalo MN. Jon has spent the last 26 years in the Wright county, Sherburne county area. He has been in many different industry’s over the years and comes to the team with a great wealth of knowledge. Jon has been in the retail industry for the last 8 years and strives to make sure that the customer experience is the best that it can be.

Jon came to the team in the fall of 2019. He got his Property & Casualty in June of 2020 and is working on his CPIA designation and his Health & Life License as of 2021.
He enjoys good times, great oldies, and anything with a motor. 

Aleida Lee

In 2012, Aleida became licensed in Property & Casualty, Aleida is also licensed in Life & Health. She started working for captive agencies until she learned the importance of becoming an Independent Agent. While still working full time at a State Farm agency she was undertaking her degree of Science in Paralegal Studies, graduating with Distinctive Honors from NAU in Minnesota. Shortly after Aleida obtained a job at a Law office in 2015.

Aleida is fluent in Spanish and English this has been a skill she has kept using throughout her career as an Insurance Agent. She and her family are Vikings fans.😊.

She enjoys gardening, traveling, outdoor activities. Aleida loves giving back as a volunteer at her home Church Riverside in Big Lake and other local organizations.

Aleida is an ambassador at her local Chamber.

If you need a Notary Public, this is a free service Aleida offers to all her clients.

Alex Tkach

Alex has his license in Property, Casualty, Health & Life, he joined us in January 2021. He is originally from eastern Europe, coming to Minnesota at age 11, he attended Blaine High School in Blaine, Minnesota. His background is in the construction business as a project developer as well as sales for over 12 years. He speaks Russian and also is fluent in insurance speak dealing with the claims and restoration side of construction.

In his free time, he enjoys an early morning catch on the lake, with the company of some friends. Faith and family are very important, and the basis of his daily life. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids in the outdoors, as well as getting together with a group of friends.

Why insurance? I love to serve people anyway I can, I enjoy being the one who puts a smile or makes someone’s life just a little easier.

Olu Olowo

Olu has been an insurance agent since 2014. He enjoys helping people and has a genuine passion and curiosity for Insurance. He is natural in social settings and is known for putting his clients at ease while ensuring they will always help to meet their insurance needs.

Olu prides himself on his set of morals, legal, and ethical obligations that help him understand being his boss comes with responsibilities and self-motivation for success. Olu is a loving and dedicated father and husband. He enjoys music, playing the guitar, and traveling.

Olu is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and knowledgeable about the Real Estate industry.

Jason White

Jason is originally from Minnesota where he attended school at Coon Rapids and Mankato State University.   Jason has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years and is involved in all lines of insurance including Auto, Home, Life, and Business insurance needs. He is an accomplished agent who brings his understanding of insurance and people together with a proven track record for client satisfaction.

In his free time Jason enjoys being active, spending time with family, and attending sporting events.

Luke Bauman

Luke Bauman has been an insurance agent since 1997. Luke founded Bauman Financial Group in 2011 so he could serve his clientele as an independent broker of Life and Annuity Products.

Now that Bauman Financial has partnered with North Central Insurance as an independent agent, he also has the ability to offer quality, affordable coverage for your Auto, Home, Farm, and Business. NCIA has close to 300 collective years of experience in the insurance marketplace.

Luke’s degree in business management, combined with his extensive experience in small business, agriculture, civic and church organizations, gives him the ability to truly understand your coverage needs and meet them.

“Building a relationship that will stand the test of time is my number-one goal at every meeting. I love to see that sense of relief when my clients know their needs are being met”.

Nicole Thornton

Nicole has been in the insurance business for 29+ years. She enjoys working with people and helping them with their insurance needs and believes it’s very important building relationships with them.
She has a daughter and a grandson and family is very important to her.
She enjoys traveling, golfing and spending time at the cabin.

Gary Zimmerman

Gary Zimmerman with St. Francis Insurance Agency Inc. Gary has been in the Insurance Business since the late 1970s. Starting his own agency in his hometown in 1981. Gary graduated from St Francis High School in 1975. The 1st class to graduate from the then new high school. We are in our third location in town right across the street from the High school. We built this building in 1986. Gary joined in with North Central Insurance in 2013. In this way I can offer clients more companies & coverage choices as an Independent agent. Presenting a one stop convenient place to protect what matters most to them. when away from the office enjoys his Grand kids, Riding ATV, Trips up north snowmobiling, Hunting & fishing.

William Cavanagh

Bill has been in the insurance business since 1973. He is well versed in all lines of insurance (life, health, auto, home, umbrella, Medicare, and funeral insurance). He has specialized in pre-planning and pre-funding funerals for many years. Bill will help guide you through your personal wishes and decisions with complete respect and confidentiality.

He believes in the importance of making these decisions at a time when one has clarity of mind and emotions.

Christine Williams

Christine is licensed in life and health insurance. She is a funeral planning specialist and specializes in pre-need insurance. Christine is also a Celebrant for funeral/memorial services.

Mark Johnson

Mark started as an agent in the insurance industry in 1985 and has been an independent agent since 1996 and with North Central since 2006. Mark focuses on personal lines insurance. Mark and his Wife Bobbie reside in Brooklyn Park and have a son John. Mark enjoys golf and officiates High School basketball in his spare time.