When did you begin working at Farm Bureau?

I started working at Farm Bureau April 1, 2020 (it was not a joke!), just in time for the world to start shutting down due to the pandemic. It was an experience to say the least, but also a time that was a bit quiet and that enabled me to observe and learn the system here at Farm Bureau. I hate to say it was a blessing in disguise, because it was not, but it did help with getting adjusted to the Farm Bureau life in a timely manner.

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Tell us a little about your life / career before Farm Bureau.

Wow, well, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was born in Northern California, a few short years ago, LOL! My father was an electrical engineer for Northern Communications Agency, affiliated with the Air Force, designing radar systems for countries overseas (my sisters and I think he was a spy!). His job took us to New York when I was in high school.

 

After school I attended college in California, but I found playing football and having fun on the beach was more important than sitting in a classroom and quit school (dumb move!). That did not sit well with my father, to say the least! If he could have reached out and grabbed me by the neck, he would have. Good thing he couldn’t reach me!

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I eventually headed back to New York and found my way into insurance as a policyholder service rep taking 90-100 calls a day from disgruntled policyholders - not fun. It didn’t take long to figure out that I wanted to be an underwriter. I worked my way into personal lines underwriting, commercial lines underwriting, and national accounts underwriting. I have worked for a handful of insurance carriers, from New York, to Connecticut, to North Carolina, to Utah, to Oregon, and saving the best for last, Idaho.

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What were some highlights about working for Farm Bureau?

Too many to list! I have absolutely loved my time here. The employees, the agents, the vision from the top, meeting the challenges we faced head on and overcame, just to name a few. But if I were to pick just a couple key highlights, I would have to say the ratings upgrades from AM Best and paying bonuses to our employees. When those two things are happening – regardless of all else – you know you are not just doing things, you are doing the right things. That makes the job that much more satisfying!

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Any other memorable events come to mind about your Farm Bureau career?

The underwriting staff and all the fun we have had (what a great group), participating on such an amazing executive team and how the entire company has stepped up when it came to raising money for charity. It speaks volumes about the quality and size of heart of the Farm Bureau family.

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Tell us a little bit about your family.

Two great sisters, both residing in northern California. One a year older, and one a year younger. My awesome wife Kristen (she must be to put up with me), cat Buddy (aka, The Budster) and lab pup Remi. A beautiful daughter residing in Central New York with her family, husband TJ, and four great grandkids, Brayden, Alivia, Cambryn and Rowan.

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What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Kristen and I love hiking, snow shoeing, cycling (road and mountain), bird hunting, and fly-fishing. Pretty much all things outdoors!

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What are your retirement plans?

We have lived from the left coast to the right coast and in between, and enjoyed all of it, and as much as we love Idaho and the Pocatello area, we are planning on purchasing a home and land in Pennsylvania. Closer to the kids, lots of land, great bird hunting, great fly-fishing and you guessed it, very retiree friendly. We are also looking forward to exploring all New England and the Northeast.

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Anything else you'd like to add?

Yes, I cannot thank Todd enough for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such great things happening here at Farm Bureau of Idaho. I am so grateful for my time spent here; I only wish it could have been longer, but when the time is right, the time is right.

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I have never spent time with an insurance carrier where the future looked so bright. I could not be happier for all the employees and stakeholders of Farm Bureau of Idaho. Oh, and thanks for putting up with my “soapbox” rants. I might have had a few of those, LOL!

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Please join us in thanking John for his dedicated service and congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement. An open house for John will be held on Friday, March 31, at 2:00 PM in the Home Office's lunchroom.

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NOTES FROM JOHN'S COWORKERS

John came in like a hurricane and shook everything up - for the better. I’m glad to have had him as the Underwriting VP for the last few years. He’s helped us develop into the team we are today. He is very knowledgeable and pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves. I appreciate all the laughs and support he’s given Underwriting. I hope Kristen and John have a good time, doing whatever they end up doing, and that he actually retires this time. Thank you John! We will miss you!

-Hannah Adamson, Personal Lines Underwriter

 

Wow, it has been a fast three years with John. I remember having my first meeting with him in April of 2020. I walked into an empty Home Office. I found we shared a lot of the same philosophies and it's been a great ride ever since that day.

 

I have appreciated working with John and have learned many things from him. Some things about insurance, but many more about fishing, camping, and how to thoroughly enjoy life.

 

We will always have our wall of John-isms that will make us laugh and smile.

 

Congratulations John and Kristen, enjoy the journey!

-Lisa Barber, Vice President of Underwriting

 

Oh goodness, what do you say about John Dunlop! It’s been a great experience working with John over the last few years. The Underwriting Group has learned a lot and it has been nice to have that outside perspective in the Commercial Lines that we have needed.

 

I will miss his entertaining stories and “passionate” discussions.

 

I wish him and Kristen the best.

-Shelley Brunson, Commercial Lines Underwriting Supervisor

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John, congratulations on your retirement and all of your new opportunities in life.

 

You’re a true professional who shows by example that excellence is something to aim for daily. You have made a tremendous difference. We would not be where we are today without you. It has been a privilege to work with someone who is so passionate.

 

I wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter.

-Amy Crawford, Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager

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I really can’t believe that it is already time for John to retire. It seems like just yesterday we were meeting him over TEAMS, nervous about what changes he would make to our department. Turned out the changes were for the better of the department, company, and each of us individually.

 

We were all trying to maneuver lives in unchartered waters through the pandemic, working from home, and new expectations; his leadership and passion helped each of us navigate through the chaos.

 

I have learned a lot about insurance and underwriting that would not have been possible without his influence.

 

John, I wish you nothing but the best fishing, hiking, hunting, and family time that retirement can offer you. Congratulations!

-Erin Giles, Agri-Business Underwriting Manager

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I am so sad that John is leaving us but am very happy for the adventures ahead for them.

 

The commercial department has changed a lot while he has been here but I know that I have learned, grown, changed, and laughed a lot. I was thankful that he would listen and talk whenever I had concerns.

 

I will surely miss hearing his stories, examples, experiences, and silliness in the office.

 

I am grateful for your knowledge, support, hard work, invested time and encouragement you have given. Working with you has been a privilege, and you will be missed.

 

Thank you and I wish you the best of luck, fun, adventure, dog kisses, and most of all, some peace in your retirement.

-Wendy Linscheid, Underwriting Assistant

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"The juice is not worth the squeeze." "Who called this meeting?" "It’s like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop." There are few things I’ll miss more than the John-isms.

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John has had a monumental impact on this company in the three years he’s spent with us. He’s given us his very best by giving us the last three of his 40+ year-long career.

 

John has fostered an environment for learning through both professional and personal development and taught us all how to truly enjoy what we do and get a good laugh while we do it. He’s been a mentor to many in our department and shared his wealth of knowledge with those in the field as well.

 

He’s an incredible leader and an even better “boss-man." Most importantly, he’s become one of my favorite people. I wish John, Kristen, the Budster and Rem-dog many adventures, slow mornings with lots of coffee, and good health as John begins his well-earned retirement. He will truly be missed.

-Liz Maldonado, Administrative Assistant to the VP of Underwriting

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It has been a pleasure watching and learning from John as he has established credibility in our underwriting department with his years of experience in the industry.

 

John has been a great example of leadership to me and many others. He'll be missed.

 

I wish him the best in retirement. Thank you, John.  

-Dana May, Director of Customer Experience and Marketing

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John - Your exceptional leadership has been instrumental in guiding underwriting through multiple key changes. Your deep understanding of insurance –combined with your integrity – have also helped advance the company’s priorities. Our discussions have always been a benefit not only to our company, but to our agents as well.

 

It has been a true pleasure working alongside you. You’ve developed a wonderful department that will continue to build on your success.

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Thank you for your friendship. I wish you nothing but happiness in your next wonderful chapter of life.

-Chuck McDaniel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

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John. What can I say? Well, I wish he could have sucked just a little bit so that it wouldn’t be so hard to let him go but he didn’t.

 

He has been a great leader and mentor over the last three years. John brought a lot of knowledge and experience that our team needed. I appreciated his willingness to listen, work through problems together and giving us the tools we needed to succeed. His leadership skills and knowledge have helped me grow as an individual as well as developed our department into what it is today.

 

Thank you John, for your undying support both personally and professionally. I will miss your wild sense of humor, ranting emails, and “passionate” discussions.

 

I wish you, Kristen, and Remy many happy adventures in this next chapter of life.

-Meeghan Zaugg, Personal Lines Senior Underwriter

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