Public Archives - Farmers Alliance Mutual Insurance

Four FAMI Employees Complete Leadership McPherson 2026

This spring, four Farmers Alliance employees completed the Leadership McPherson Class of 2026, a long-standing program designed around the belief that leadership is an activity accessible to everyone. The program empowers participants to take initiative, strengthen their leadership skills, and inspire meaningful changes throughout the McPherson community.

This year, Suzie Hill, Policy Service Team Manager; Jamie Hubin, Customer Service Manager; Jennifer Schroeder, Policy Service Team Manager;and Bonnie Smith, Claims Service Team Manager, completed the nine-week long program, which included an intensive leadership session featuring the Kansas Leadership Center’s When Everyone Leads curriculum.

Each year, the Leadership McPherson class is challenged to identify a local need and develop a project that specifically benefits McPherson-area youth. The 2026 class created Suds & Smiles, an initiative designed to reduce barriers for local families by providing free laundry services. The class partnered with McPherson Express Laundry Center and local service organizations to bring the initiative to life and provide meaningful support to families in the community.

“Leadership McPherson was a unique opportunity to connect with other local professionals who shared a common goal of growing their leadership skills,” said Jamie Hubin, Customer Service Manager. “I’m grateful that Farmers Alliance supported several of our FAMI leaders in participating and investing in our development. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their influence and leadership impact, not just those in formal leadership roles. Anyone and everyone can be a leader!”

Farmers Alliance is incredibly proud to have four employees who are committed to growing as leaders and making a difference both within our organization and throughout the McPherson community. Congratulations to Suzie, Jamie, Jenny, and Bonnie on completing Leadership McPherson and for their dedication to serving and strengthening our community!

Built for What Comes Next – 2025 Annual Report

Farmers Alliance closed 2025 in a strong financial position, leveraging the dedication of its employees, the loyalty of its customers, and a people‑first culture to execute its FAMI Forward 2025 strategy successfully. Throughout a year of shifting insurance market conditions, the company strengthened operational capabilities, streamlined processes, and adapted to industry pressures with disciplined underwriting and data‑driven pricing decisions that protected profitability. By adjusting rates, refining its business mix, and optimizing coverage in response to inflation, rising claim costs, and regulatory challenges, Farmers Alliance maintained a competitive edge, supported sustainable growth, and positioned itself for long‑term financial success.

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Lori Davis Elected as Director for Farmers Alliance Companies

MCPHERSON, KS – Lori Davis, CPA, has joined the Board of Directors for the Farmers Alliance Companies, effective October 1, 2024. With over 30 years of experience in public accounting across various industries, including property and casualty insurance, Lori brings a wealth of knowledge to the Farmers Alliance team. President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Lopata expressed, “Her financial expertise is invaluable to our team, aiding us in maintaining and enhancing our robust financial position, mitigating risks, and making strategic decisions that will ensure our continued success.”

Lori serves as the Managing Principal of Grant Thornton’s Denver office, where she and her family have been based for over a decade. Before this, she held the position of Managing Principal for Grant Thornton’s Wichita, Kansas office. A proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, she earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. Lori is a licensed CPA in Colorado and Oklahoma, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as well as the Colorado Society of CPAs. Additionally, she is actively involved in her community, serving on several local boards and committees.

“We’re excited to welcome Lori to our Board of Directors. She has much to contribute and is already making significant impacts,” stated Chairman of the Board Keith Birkhead. “She is well-acquainted with our business and is quickly grasping our unique culture here at Farmers Alliance. Lori is dedicated to helping us grow and achieve even greater success in the future.”

Kaela Moore Completes Leadership McPherson Program for 2025

Kaela Moore, an Expert Underwriter at Farmers Alliance, has successfully finished the Leadership McPherson program for 2025. This nine-week program is designed to empower local professionals with leadership skills aimed at enhancing their communities. It emphasizes the idea that everyone can be a leader and offers various ways to get involved. Kaela’s dedication to serving her local community is reflected in her choice to enroll in this year’s program.

Alongside her 14 classmates, Kaela engaged in an intensive two-day training, titled “Your Leadership Edge,” at the Kansas Leadership Center, complemented by several half-day sessions led by various community leaders. Throughout the program, participants focused on identifying local needs in McPherson that specifically benefit youth. Kaela’s class is developing the Smile Forward Program, a collaboration with local dental offices and USD 418 school nurses. This initiative will enable school nurses to refer children in need of critical dental care to local dental offices at no charge. If there is additional care needed once the essential care has been provided, those expenses can be covered by community donations or leadership class resources. Over the coming months, Kaela and her classmates will work to finalize and implement this new program for the 2025-2026 school year.

Kaela’s team at FAMI is proud to have her as part of the FAMI-ly and appreciates her commitment to seizing this fantastic opportunity to enhance her leadership abilities. The knowledge she has gained will not only benefit local youth in need but also positively impact everyone she collaborates with. The possibilities for Kaela are limitless, and we are excited that she is sharing her talents with the community. Congratulations on completing Leadership McPherson, Kaela!

Overcoming the Odds – 2024 Annual Report

During some of the most disruptive times in the history of our industry, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with one common goal – we will succeed! Our ability to stay focused on what matters most, along with our commitment to execute with speed and precision has separated Farmers Alliance from our competitors. Each year brings its unique challenges and opportunities, and the employees at Farmers Alliance always stand ready to work hard to meet the needs of our customers, our communities, and our company.

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2024 Farmers Alliance Annual Report Cover Image

Essential Safety Tips for Black Friday Shopping

As Black Friday deals kick off, the day after Thanksgiving continues to be a prime time for snagging fantastic gifts for your loved ones. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, taking precautions is essential to safeguard yourself and your belongings. Here are some valuable tips to help you stay secure:

In the Store

Safety is best in numbers. Shop with friends for added security and enjoyment!
Use only ONE credit card for your purchases. This makes it easier to cancel if the card is lost or stolen, rather than dealing with multiple cards.
Store your keys, cash, and credit card in separate locations if possible. Avoid using a purse; if you carry one, never leave it unattended, and always wear it.
When shopping with children, establish a designated meeting spot in case you get separated.
If you notice a deal you’ve been eyeing is running low in stock, be cautious of overly enthusiastic bargain hunters. No deal is worth physical conflict, and you can likely find it online at the same price.

In the Car

Conceal all shopping bags in the trunk or another hidden area to deter vehicle break-ins. Thieves are more likely to target cars with visible valuables.
Always keep your doors locked when leaving your vehicle.
Be mindful in busy parking lots with both cars and pedestrians. Drive slowly and stay alert to avoid accidents.
Park under well-lit areas at night and steer clear of large vehicles that may obstruct your view.
Once you arrive home, remember to bring your packages inside; never leave them in your car.

Online

Avoid shopping using public Wi-Fi networks.
Stick to reputable retailers when making purchases.
Carefully check website URLs for phishing attempts; scammers often create sites that mimic secure ones to steal your information.
Be wary of Black Friday deals that seem too good to be true, as they may be scams.
Credit cards usually provide better consumer protections and don’t tie up your funds in case of issues.

Remember these tips while you’re on the hunt for the best Black Friday bargains. Stay safe and enjoy the deals you’ve been anticipating all year long! Happy shopping!

Farmers Alliance customers enjoy complimentary identity theft monitoring services. Click here for more information. If you believe your financial information has been compromised or if you’ve encountered identity theft, please call 1.800.362.1075 ext. 1128 to speak with a knowledgeable fraud specialist at Cyberscout for personalized support.

Michele Graham joins Farmers Alliance Companies as Senior Vice President, Chief Services Officer

MCPHERSON, KANSAS – Michele Graham, CPCU, ARM, PMP, LSSBB, has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Services Officer for Farmers Alliance Companies, effective September 1, 2024. The announcement was made by Brian D. Lopata, President and Chief Executive Officer, following the meeting of the company’s Board of Directors. This is a new position at the companies, aligning transactional processes and utilizing technology and data to optimize the customer experience.

According to Lopata, “Michele’s diverse background in project management, process engineering, strategic services, and agency management will contribute to our future success. I am very excited about her passion for building strong relationships with our employees and agency partners, which fits perfectly with the culture at Farmers Alliance.”

Graham joins the Farmers Alliance Executive Management Team with 20 years of experience in the property and casualty industry at a regional mutual insurance carrier. She will partner with the Corporate Leadership Team to develop and execute the company’s Strategic Plan, with direct responsibility for the Centralized Business Services functions. When asked what excited her the most about joining Farmers Alliance, Michele commented, “I am energized by the opportunity to be part of a company that fosters a strong sense of community and cares so deeply about its employees and customers. I look forward to partnering with employees across the company to ensure we are providing the very best service and experience possible.”

A native of Smyrna, New York, Graham received her Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Economics from Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, NY. She holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Technology (AIT), Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and several others in the areas of insurance, project management, and process engineering.

Michele and her fiancé Mike will be relocating to McPherson, Kansas. They have three children.

Jason Green, Leadership McPherson Graduating Class of 2024

Jason Green, Communications and Marketing Specialist at Farmers Alliance completed the Leadership McPherson 2024 program. The 8-week program involved 18 individuals from the community, focusing on enhancing leadership skills and applying them to improve workplaces and the community. Jason’s active involvement reflects his dedication to personal development and his commitment to giving back to both the community and the company. As part of the program, Jason and his classmates will collaborate on a community project in the upcoming months, supporting Mac-Town’s FYR (Forging Youth Resiliency), a local youth organization.

Mac-Town FYR, an after-school mentorship program held at Mac-Town CrossFit, emphasizes children’s fitness and overall mental and physical well-being. The leadership team will contribute to a Row-a-Thon event on September 21st to raise funds for the program.

Farmers Alliance takes pride in having Jason as a valued member of the FAMI-ly, and we are confident that his newfound skills and knowledge will positively impact everyone he engages with. We foresee a bright future for Jason at Farmers Alliance and are thrilled that he is sharing his talents with the community. Congratulations, Jason!

David Domino joins Board of Directors of Farmers Alliance

David Domino, CPCU, ARe, has been elected as a Director for the Farmers Alliance Companies, effective March 1, 2024. Dave joins the Farmers Alliance team, providing guidance, direction, and oversight for the Companies’ property and casualty insurance operations. According to Brian Lopata, President and Chief Executive Officer, “I am extremely pleased that Dave has joined our Board of Directors. His knowledge and experience from the reinsurance side of our industry bring a fresh perspective, enhanced by his strong commitment to our companies’ mission and vision.” He added, “Dave’s focus on building client relationships throughout his career will also benefit our employees, agents, and customers, as our Directors work to support the company’s strategic plan.”

A native of New Jersey, he is currently Chairman of the Regional/ Mutual Segment at Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, where he has worked in reinsurance brokerage for more than 20 years. His extensive industry experience also includes time as a reinsurance underwriter and client executive before joining Guy Carpenter. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA, where he studied Economics, and holds the CPCU and ARe industry designations. Domino and his family reside in Philadelphia.

Chairman of the Board, Keith Birkhead also commented, “We are so pleased to have Dave join our Board of Directors, and look forward to his contributions. It is already clear that he understands and appreciates the culture we’ve developed at Farmers Alliance, and is committed to supporting and growing our company in the future.”

Adapting to Change – 2023 Annual Report

The 2023 Annual Report is now available. Looking back at the last year, there were many challenges and obstacles facing Farmers Alliance and our entire industry. Inflation continued to soar, driving claim costs to all-time highs. Severe convective storms raced across the country, accounting for nearly seventy percent of insured catastrophic losses. Increased reinsurance rates and retentions, along with reduced capacity, transferred significantly more volatility to primary carriers. Click the image below to read more.

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