ABOUT TRADITION MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
You need an expert who will take time to help you sort through the details
HISTORY
We have a long history in this community
1876 Blanshard Mutual Insurance was formed to protect farmers from loss due to barn fires.
1878 Blanshard paid its first claim.
1884 Downie Mutual Insurance was formed.
2003 Blanshard Mutual and Downie Mutual amalgamated to form Tradition Mutual Insurance Company. Since then we’ve continued to protect our community with insurance products and personal service.
Finnish farmers in Canada, 1926
Agricultural representative Photograph Albums,
Archives of Ontario, 10019306
Beginning in 1869, Government advertising programs were created to encourage people to settle in Ontario. Through the use of pamphlets, posters, and very persuasive agents, immigrants from United Kingdom, Europe. and the United States were drawn to Ontario for the free land and hope for a better future.
Department of Immigration
Archives of Ontario Poster Collection
Planting with a dual seeding machine. 1919
MEET OUR TEAM
We have a long history in this community
TRADITION MUTUAL STAFF LIVE AND WORK IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Tradition Mutual is part of the community;
we understand local conditions and needs because we live here too. We are here to bring safety, security and certainty to our local members in an unpredictable world.
President & CEO:
- Paul Burns
Accounting:
- Marty Mathieson – Finance Manager
- Barb Bode
- Andrea Ristau
- Jan Rebelo
Underwriting:
- Kim Wolfe – Underwriting Manager
- Ann Nowack
- Marg Jordan
- Kelly Wheeler
- Becky Knifton
- Cody Bell
Claims:
- Jeff Irwin – Claims Manager
- Gabrielle Therrien
- Peter Kuzyk
Marketing:
Tanya Diehl – Business Development Manager
Karen Neely – Marketing & Software Support
Melinda Gilbert – Product Development Assistant
Directors
TRADITION MUTUAL DIRECTORS ARE A LOT LIKE YOU
Our directors are your fellow farmers, business owners and neighbours. They are Tradition policyowners who want to make a difference in their community. As members of the elected board of directors, they represent the interests of all policyholders.
If you’re interested in becoming a director, please contact Paul Burns at (519) 393-6402.
2019 Board of Directors
MaryJane Littlejohn – Chair
Gerald Weersink – Vice Chair
Dave Leyser – Past Chair
Jim McCutcheon
Jim Watt
John Nyenhuis
Jill Taylor
Ben Waghorn
Leslie Showers
Agents
TRADITION MUTUAL INSURANCE AGENTS ARE IN YOUR CORNER
You might find that you have a lot in common with our agents. They live and work and volunteer in our community. When it comes to finding the right insurance, they’re your home team.
Once they have listened to your needs, they will recommend coverage to suit your situation. If you have to make a claim, you can count on them to help you through the process and get your life back on track.
JUSTIN AHRENS
Phone: (519) 393-6462
Email: jahrens@traditionmutual.com
Justin has been in the insurance industry for seven years and with Tradition since September 2013. He enjoys working at Tradition because of the great work environment and the opportunity to meet new people on a daily basis. Justin enjoys the service aspect of his job; working with people to find the right coverage to fit their insurance needs. Working for a stock company prior to working for Tradition helped Justin learn the many differences and advantages mutual companies offer.
His favourite part of the job is that there is always something new to learn and new people to meet. He loves helping people protect what is important to them by offering the right coverage and packages.
He and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child in May of 2016 and are enjoying the rewards and challenges of being parents. Justin loves sports and plays hockey, squash and baseball in his spare time.
Justin’s Tradition: “Every Labour Day I join my family at my uncle’s cottage. It is something we look forward to all year.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6462
E-mail: jahrens@traditionmutual.com
SCOTT BELL
Phone: (519) 393-6441
Email: sbell@traditionmutual.com
Scott spent over two decades in the hospitality industry before becoming an insurance agent with Tradition in 2012. His customer service experience, coupled with his insurance knowledge, allows him to translate the technical nature of the policy to clients in a language that they can easily understand.
Visiting policyholders and getting to know their wants and needs have made the role very fulfilling for him.
Scott’s Tradition: “I have a daughter that was born four days after starting with Tradition. We love to travel so our family tradition is to keep the number of countries she has visited greater than her age.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6441
Email: sbell@traditionmutual.com
CHRIS DIETZ, BBA, CI
Phone: (519) 393-6467
Email: cdietz@traditionmutual.com
Honesty, integrity and a keen sense of humour - that’s Chris Dietz, insurance agent at Tradition since 2008.
Insurance runs deep in Chris’ DNA. He grew up in an insurance family - his father owned a brokerage in Wellesley where Chris worked for 7 years before joining Tradition.
He’s proud to work for a company whose focus is policyholders, not profits for shareholders.
Policyholders first is his motto and his clients know they can count on Chris for solid advice and help, any time.
Chris’s Tradition: “My tradition is a family and business combination. I grew up in a home where my father had a brokerage office. My mother and my aunt were also brokers and worked for my father. Once I got my license, all four of us were in business together. I carried on the insurance tradition after my father’s death by becoming an agent with Tradition Mutual.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6467
Email: cdietz@traditionmutual.com
SARAH MCNICHOL
Phone: (519) 393-6445
Email: smcnichol@traditionmutual.com
Sarah loves spending time in the outdoors and socializing with friends and family. She grew up on a farm just north of Brodhegan and has lived in the rural sector all of her life.
She graduated from the insurance program at Fanshawe College when she was 22 and has worked in the industry ever since. She has experience in many roles within the insurance industry, but feels like she has found a role that she truly enjoys as an agent.
Being an agent allows her to not only help people get the proper insurance coverage they need, but it also allows her to get to know them on a personal level, which allows her to add a personal touch.
“Sarah’s Tradition:” “One of my Traditions is to take one trip a year with either my family or friends to someplace I have never been before. It doesn’t have to be a long or expensive trip...but I have to do something new every year. I told my self about 10 years ago, that I never want to stop seeing new places or experiencing new things. So, this is my way of keeping on track to my goal.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6445
Email: smcnichol@traditionmutual.com
IAN MORRISON
Phone: (519) 393-6487
Email: imorrison@traditionmutual.com
Ian is a real problem-solver, and that ability led to a long career in the insurance business. Friends, neighbors and new clients count on Ian to help them take some of the risk out of everyday life.
He has been an exclusive agent with Blanshard Mutual, which is now Tradition Mutual, for nearly 30 years. A lifelong learner, Ian earned a diploma in marketing at Fanshawe College and continues to take courses at the Insurance Institute.
Ian counts his “three beautiful children” among his proudest achievements, and loves the outdoors, especially hiking and fishing.
Ian’s Tradition: “My tradition is huge family get-togethers for every important event, from Thanksgiving and Easter to Christmas.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6487
Email: imorrison@traditionmutual.com
SHANNON O’SHEA ROSS
Phone: (519) 393-3225
Email: sosheaross@traditionmutual.com
Shannon has lived in Perth County for close to a decade, and is proud to be a member of a farming family.
Hailing from the Granton/Lucan area, she grew up servicing people from a young age- with her parent’s farm market garden operation at local farmer’s markets.
Shannon has a unique background in recreation therapy and stroke rehabilitation, but made the decision to establish roots locally with an insurance company who values community as much as she does. A passionate people-person, Shannon takes pride in servicing clients from across a kitchen table, rather than over the phone. She looks forward to building relationships within the community she is proud to live in.
When she is not running to sporting or community events with her 3 kids, Shannon enjoys golfing, music and time with family and friends usually on the shores of Lake Huron.
Shannon’s Tradition: “My husband and I enjoy taking our kids to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair every November to take in the National Holstein Show and to re-connect with friends from across the country.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6493
Email: sosheaross@traditionmutual.com
LAUREL POIRIER, CIP
Phone: (519) 393-6472
Email: lpoirier@traditionmutual.com
Insurance is in Laurels blood. She brings a wealth of insurance experience to her role as an exclusive agent at Tradition. In particular, her work in claims has taught her how important “no surprises” really is to policyholders. That’s why she’s eager to update policyholders’ protection at key stages in life, and to really explain what their coverage is all about.
Laurel lives in Mitchell with her family, and enjoys baseball, soccer and broomball with friends.
Laurel’s Tradition: “My family always celebrates birthdays together by enjoying ice cream cake and each other’s company. We feel it is incredibly important to celebrate each year and to be thankful for our health and happiness. “
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6472
Email: lpoirier@traditionmutual.com
PATRICIA RIEHL, CIP
Phone: (519) 393-6456
Email: priehl@traditionmutual.com
“A job worth doing is worth doing right” is more than a motto for Patricia. It is her way of life.
Doing it right for Patricia means that her policyholders enjoy exceptional service, from herself and from everyone at Tradition.
As an exclusive sales agent for Tradition Mutual and a mother of three, Patricia knows just how important it is to stay organized and pay attention to the details in order to meet her goals.
Before joining the company in 2008, Patricia spent 15 years in the industry as an insurance agent and broker. Growing up on a farm, combined with her experience in bookkeeping and accounting have also enhanced her role in serving her policyholders.
Patricia has volunteered for charities including Big Brothers Big Sisters, London Health Sciences, Cancer and Heart & Stroke. She continues to spend many volunteer hours as a member of the Rotary Club of Stratford and as a member of the Fryfogel Arboretum committee. In her down time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Patricia holds a Chartered Insurance Professional Designation (CIP).
Patricia’s Tradition: “My tradition is being there to help. Being there to help family, friends and policyholders alike. As well as being there to serve my community.”
Doing it right for Patricia means that her policyholders enjoy exceptional service, from herself and from everyone at Tradition.
As an exclusive sales agent for Tradition Mutual and a mother of three, Patricia knows just how important it is to stay organized and pay attention to the details in order to meet her goals.
Before joining the company in 2008, Patricia spent 15 years in the industry as an insurance agent and broker. Growing up on a farm, combined with her experience in bookkeeping and accounting have also enhanced her role in serving her policyholders.
Patricia has volunteered for charities including Big Brothers Big Sisters, London Health Sciences, Cancer and Heart & Stroke. She continues to spend many volunteer hours as a member of the Rotary Club of Stratford and as a member of the Fryfogel Arboretum committee. In her down time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Patricia holds a Chartered Insurance Professional Designation (CIP).
Patricia’s Tradition: “My tradition is being there to help. Being there to help family, friends and policyholders alike. As well as being there to serve my community.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6456
Toll-free:1-800-263-1961 ext. 217
Email: priehl@traditionmutual.com
STEVE RIEHL JR, CIP, CRM
Phone: (519) 393-6493
Email: sriehljr@traditionmutual.com
Steve was born and raised in the Sebringville area and is very familiar with the local traditions, customs and trends.
Steve has had a number of previous jobs including construction, driving transport truck and buses as well as running his own business which gives him some insight into customer needs.
Steve graduated from the insurance program through the Insurance Institute of Canada. He’s earned two important designations: the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM). Steve stays informed by attending agent forums and training events at the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association facility in Cambridge.
Steve’s favorite part of his job is meeting the clients, so many new people with new ideas and back grounds, always interesting.
Steve’s Tradition: “Each year I like to explore a new area. Sometimes it‘s just a small town that I have driven through but haven’t stopped and other years it’s exploring a new part of the world.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6493
Email: sriehljr@traditionmutual.com
JIM STACEY, CIP
Phone: (519) 393-6453
Email: jstacey@traditionmutual.com
Jim loves hockey, golf, downhill skiing and snowmobiling, but family is his first passion. No wonder he enjoys meeting his policyholders face to face and getting to know their families too.
He credits being a dad to two daughters for his great listening skills. “Listening is vital to providing the right product and the right price,” says Jim. Policyholders can be assured that if they have a question, Jim will get them the answer.
Jim holds a Chartered Insurance Professional Designation (CIP).
Jim’s Tradition: “My tradition is two trees at Christmas! For the past 15 years, on the first weekend of December, my wife, daughters and myself go to choose TWO trees. One for ourselves, and one for my wife‘s parents. They love a real tree but can’t really handle the work of getting one. We set up their tree, the girls decorate it and we take it all down for them after the holidays. Seeing their faces when we bring that tree into their home makes it the perfect gift.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6453
Email: jstacey@traditionmutual.com
LLOYD WALKOM
Phone: (519) 393-6465
Email: lwalkom@traditionmutual.com
For Lloyd, insurance is a safety net that gives people the confidence to focus on life without excessive worry.
He helps his policyholders achieve this sense of assurance by getting to know each and every one and helping them understand the best coverage for their needs. Lloyd’s rich background is a real asset to clients -- he has agricultural background (he’s worked with Crop Insurance Commission and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) and a Bachelor of Science degree.
Passionate about treating his clients as people, not numbers, Lloyd loves the family atmosphere at Tradition. He takes time to appreciate life, and counts curiosity among his best traits.
Lloyd’s Tradition: “My tradition is planting trees. I look forward to it each spring and fall.”
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 393-6465
Email: lwalkom@traditionmutual.com
KYLE WIJNANDS, BA, MA
Phone: (519) 393-3246
Email: kwijnands@traditionmutual.com
Kyle is proud to have grown up in Sebringville and knows the community that Tradition Mutual services very well. He has past employment experience within the social services and agri-business working alongside hog producers, dairy farmers, horse farmers and the livestock transportation industry. Kyle enjoys meeting with his clients and ensuring that the coverage he offers closely fits their lifestyle and needs.
When not at work, Kyle enjoys spending time with his family, camping, playing piano and painting.
Kyle’s Tradition: “Kyle’s tradition is aiming to treat people the way he would like to be treated.”
Contact Information:
Phone: 519-393-3246
Email: kwijnands@traditionmutual.com
Brokers
CONTACT A TRADITION MUTUAL INSURANCE BROKER TODAY
Tradition Mutual products are sold through our own insurance agents and brokers as well as these two experienced and local insurance brokers: Zehr Insurance Brokers and St. Mary’s Insurance Group Inc.
ST. MARY’S INSURANCE GROUP IS SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE, BUT LARGE ENOUGH TO COMPETE
St. Marys Insurance Group has been helping people get the right insurance coverage for more than 50 years. Independent and locally owned, SMIG is proud to serve customers who are also their friends and neighbours. That’s why SMIG brokers use their resources to support the local community, as a great place to live, work and play.
47 Water St. S., Box 820
St. Marys ON, N4X 1B5
Phone: 519-284-1900
Toll Free: 1-800-810-7475
ZEHR INSURANCE BROKERS IS A FULL-SERVICE INSURANCE BROKERAGE THAT FOCUSES ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Zehr Insurance Brokers Limited protects what matters to you. Horace J. Zehr established the firm in 1954 in New Hamburg, Ontario. Today Zehr has offices throughout Waterloo Region, Oxford County, Perth County and Huron County, along with wide representation in the balance of the province of Ontario. But their focus is still the same: act on the clients’ behalf first, providing honest, reliable and dedicated service. Zehr also gives back to the community through sponsorship of Brain Injury Canada and its Helmets for Life campaign.
1-800-667-1802 (After Hours Claims: 1-800-267-5540)
It’s your insurance – own it!
The difference between mutual insurance and other insurance is ownership. As a mutual insurance policyholder, you are also an owner. That means insurance premiums stay in the community where they belong. And unlike large, multinational companies who have shareholders to please, mutual insurance companies act only in the best interests of their policyholders.
Here’s one example. Insurance is about planning for the worst. But if the worst doesn’t happen, you might have some money left over. In a shareholder-owned insurance company, they call that money ‘profits.’ In a mutual insurance company, they call it a policyowner equity. We have provided premium refunds to our policyowners as declared by our board of directors.
Although Tradition is a local company, our strength and stability is backed by Ontario Mutuals, a partnership of more than 40 mutual insurance companies across Ontario. Together, we make up one of the strongest financial networks in the world.