Jeffrey
B. Kusch, CPA President and CEO, Director
J. B. Kusch received a B. S. degree in Accounting from Winona State University in
Winona, Minnesota in 1988 and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in
1991. Mr. Kusch joined Austin Mutual as the Accounting Manager in 1992 and served
as Treasurer from 1994 to 2004. He has served as President since 2002, and CEO since
2004. Mr. Kusch has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1997.
Harry J.
Dell First Vice President and Treasurer, Director
H. J. Dell joined Waseca Mutual in 1975 as a Field Supervisor; promoted to Assistant
Claim Manager in 1976 and to Claim Manager in 1977. Mr. Dell joined Austin Mutual
through a merger with Waseca Mutual in 1998. Mr. Dell has served as First Vice President
since 2001 and Treasurer since 2006. He has been a member of the Board of Directors
since 1998.
Robert
K. Long, CPCU Senior Vice President and Secretary
R. K. Long joined Austin Mutual in 1994 as the Marketing Manager for Wisconsin.
He was promoted to Marketing Director in 1999. Mr. Long has served as the Corporate
Secretary since 2004, and as Senior Vice President since May 2005. Mr. Long came
to Austin Mutual with an extensive insurance background having held positions in
claims, marketing, and management with a national property and casualty carrier
since entering the industry in 1973.
Terrel
L. Madsen, CPCU, ARe Vice President
T. L. Madsen joined Austin Mutual in 1981 as an Underwriting Supervisor. He served
as Assistant Vice President - Underwriting from 1991 to 1994, served as Vice President-Underwriting
from 1994 to 2004, and has served as Vice President - Compliance and Product Development
since 2004.
Mr. Madsen received a B. S. degree in Business Management from Northern State College
in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1977. He earned the professional designations of the
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU in 1992 and the Associated of Reinsurance
(ARe) in 1999.
Catherine
M. Harper Vice President
C.M. Harper joined Austin Mutual in 1968 working her way through the organization
in Underwriting. Ms. Harper served as Assistant Vice President from 2000 to 2006,
and has served as Vice President of Underwriting since 2006.
Stacy L. Olson - Vice President
S. L. Olson joined Austin Mutual in 1989 and has worked her way through the industry having
held positions in rating, underwriting, marketing, and management. Also, Ms. Olson has
experience working in the independent agency and reinsurance environment. Ms. Olson was
an Assistant Vice President in 2005 and is currently serving as Vice President of Business
Development since 2007.
Peter J. Williams, General Counsel
and Assistant Vice President
P.J. Williams received his J. D. from William Mitchell College of Law and his B.A. from
Concordia College. Prior to joining Austin Mutual in 2007 as General Counsel and Assistant
Vice President, Mr. Williams represented insurers and employers in private practice at the
law firm of Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala. Mr. Williams is an active member of
the PCIAA, Association of Corporate Counsel, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Defense
Research Institute, Hennepin County Bar Association, and the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Thomas
W. Jansa Assistant Vice President
T. W. Jansa joined Austin Mutual in 1976 as a computer operator. Mr. Jansa was promoted
to Programmer in 1977 and was promoted to Network Manager in 1991. Mr. Jansa has
served as Assistant Vice President since 2003.
Mr. Jansa attended the University of Minnesota in 1970 and 1971 and the Minnesota
School of Business in 1975 and 1976 specializing in Information Technology.
William
P. Benson, CPCU Assistant Vice President
W. P. Benson joined Austin Mutual in 1992 as a Senior Claims Examiner. Mr. Benson
was promoted to Claim Department Supervisor in 2003 and Assistant Vice President
of Claims in 2006.
Darla
A. Erickson, PHR, CPIW - Assistant Vice President
D. A. Erickson joined Austin Mutual in 2004 as Director of Human Resources and Administration.
Ms. Erickson is completing her BA in Human Resources Management, with a minor in
Employment Law at Metropolitan State University. Ms. Erickson has served as Assistant
Vice President since 2006.
Ms. Erickson has worked in the Property/Casualty insurance industry since 1978; having
served in the underwriting and claims areas, and also various human resources positions
ranging from Assistant Manager to Vice President - Human Resources.