Meet the Eck Agency Team
The Eck Agency team is here for you! Read on to learn more about our founder and each of the Eck Agency agents.
Founder, Agency Manager & CEO
620-254-7222
You won’t meet many like Eck Agency’s founder John Eck. A soft spoken man, he’s a poster child for hard work and is dedicated to helping those around him achieve their goals.
“Success requires hard work,” John says. “Whether it’s in our businesses or personal lives, we have to expend extra time and effort to gain favorable results.”
John has been unrelenting in his study of business, insurance and taxation over the last 51 years. This continual education allows him to be of greater assistance to his clients by providing proper protection for their assets and helping them achieve excellence.
“I put forth extra effort to make sure the clients of Eck Agency have the resources they need to protect their families, their assets and their businesses,” John explains. “Their security is my success.”
John has been a licensed insurance agent since 1968. After graduating from Fort Hays State University with a degree in business, John continued his career as a life insurance agent for Penn Mutual. Then in 1971, John opened the doors of his independent insurance agency known as Eck Realty & Insurance Agency, later changing the name to the Eck Agency Inc.
Wichita Office
Licensed Insurance Agent & Commercial Lines CSR
316-303-1905
If you know a good joke, be sure to share it with this guy! A self-admitted guilty pleasure, Andrew loves listening to stand up comedians like John Crist, Brian Regan and Michael Jr., and he’s not ashamed to laugh at the same jokes over and over again, either.
All joking aside, as you get to know Andrew, you’ll also see his servant heart and his desire to create trusting relationships with his clients.
“The insurance industry provides a rare opportunity to position myself in a way that will make a real difference in my clients’ lives by providing security and peace of mind while protecting their assets,” he explains.
An Emporia State University graduate with a degree in education, Andrew most recently provided training to adults on the skills and knowledge needed to pass the insurance licensing exam before joining Eck Agency. The educator in him is still visible in his day-to-day work.
“I like to take the complicated and somewhat overwhelming idea of insurance and break it down in a very simple and understandable way,” he says. “I listen intently and partner with each of my clients, while offering them the solution that best suits their desired outcome.”
Away from the office, Andrew loves spending time with his three children and watching Netflix with his beautiful wife. He also serves on the worship team at his church and enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams throughout the year: KC Royals, Green Bay Packers and KU Jayhawks.
Licensed Insurance Agent
316-303-1905
There’s no denying Darren Ledgerwood’s love of bikes – motorcycles that is. Donned in a leather jacket and jeans, you’ll soon discover the open road is one of his favorite places to be.
“I enjoy spending my time off with my beautiful wife and traveling around Kansas on our motorcycle,” Darren shares. “We also enjoy spending time with our eight grandchildren.”
Even though you won’t likely catch this guy wearing a suit and tie, he’s still a business man at the core.
“I have been in the insurance business for the last 15 years, helping business owners protect their assets,” he explains. “I also have owned a family business since 1976, employed up to 20 employees at a time and owned the property and buildings I operated out of, so I understand the intricacies of commercial insurance from both sides.”
Darren wants the best for his clients, so he takes time to frequently check in with insurance carriers to see what modifications could impact his clients’ rates and coverage.
“By reviewing changes on a regular basis, I can make sure we have all the available credits and discounts applied to my clients’ policies in order to provide them with the best premiums,” he says. “I take great pride in being a part of my clients’ successes by providing the best service and rates so they have one less thing to worry about.”
When he’s not helping clients or biking across Kansas, Darren has another talent that may come as a surprise to some.
“I spend hours every week playing my baby grand piano,” he reveals.
Licensed Insurance Agent
316-303-1905
Passion is the driving force behind the very active and community-oriented Iva Williams. This is evidenced in the many hours she devotes everyday to those around her. Just listen to her for a couple minutes and you’re sure to hear the excitement in her voice when she talks about volunteering with Wichita Habitat for Humanity and see the joy that floods her face when she talks about her kids and grandbabies.
This passion also pours into her career where care and loyalty are fundamental to each client relationship.
“I want my clients to be comfortable making decisions about their insurance, so I keep it simple when educating them about coverages, costs and claims,” explains Iva. “Since I am an independent agent, my loyalty is to my client, not a single company.”
Iva has been a licensed agent for about seven years. She was a captive agent for the first three years before transitioning to Eck Agency for their independent status.
“I love building relationships with my clients,” Iva says. “I made the move to the independent side of the business because I was able to help my clients better and, as a result, strengthen the relationships I have with them.”
The same passion Iva’s clients experience flows into every aspect of her life. She loves to travel and looks forward to new adventures. One of Iva’s most notable escapades was sky diving over Venice, Italy with her daughter.
Licensed Insurance Agent
316-303-1905
Described by his colleagues as one of the most mild-mannered and even-keeled individuals you could ever meet, Jamie Freed brings a sense of calm everywhere he goes.
Licensed in 2004, Jamie began his career in the insurance industry with a focus on group health insurance. He then branched out into commercial and personal lines of insurance, continuing to grow his expertise while working for a captive agency. It was in 2013 that Jamie discovered the benefits offered by an independent insurance agency.
“With a captive agency like the one I came from, I was restricted to one company,” Jamie explains. “If rates increased or specific coverage options weren’t offered, my hands were tied. There was nothing I could do to help my clients.”
“Moving to an independent agency has given me the flexibility my clients deserve,” he continues. “I now have access to multiple insurance carriers so I can find coverage for each client’s specific goals. I’m able to help my clients do what is in their best interest and provide them with a better customer service experience.”
Licensed Insurance Agent
316-303-1905
Need to spice things up a bit? It’s time to talk to Zachary Enriquez!
“I enjoy anything spicy! I am always trying out new hot sauces, salsas, peppers and taking on any spice challenges I can find,” he admits. “The only down side to my passion for spice, is I don’t think my family enjoys my cooking as much as I do.”
The upside is that his spicy obsession doesn’t stop at food – he’s also always searching for hot insurance options for his clients.
“Working with Eck Agency, I am able to match my clients’ protection needs to the right carrier, the right policy and the right rate,” Zachary explains. “I work to provide my clients with advice, education and, most of all, protection for the things that matter most to them.”
“My goal is to be a trusted advisor to my clients,” he continues. “I want to be the one my clients can count on at any time.”
After spending 15 years serving convenience stores and their customers, Zachary has developed a passion even greater than his love of spicy food – working with people, building relationships and providing a high level of customer service. His experience in the c-store business also makes him an invaluable ally for current c-store owners needing an insurance agent who knows their business inside and out.
“A c-store owner needs proper insurance coverage for the gas pumps, canopy and underground storage tanks, as well as their inventory and money,” Zachary explains. “Are employees running errands to the bank or checking competitive gas prices? What happens when the cooler breaks down and food and beverages spoil? Do you have the coverage needed for all of these items or is it better to retain the risk? I am here to make sure my friends in retail have the insurance coverage they need.”
Outside of work, you can find Zachary adding some spice to life with various family adventures.
“I am most often found with my son and his beautiful mother! We all enjoy being outdoors so we are often found at the park or in the backyard,” he says. “I also enjoy playing music for my son. I play the guitar and the bass. I am hoping he picks up the same passion for music one day!”
Medicine Lodge Office
Licensed Insurance Agent
620-886-5663
Karen Larson loves to shop. In her world, you can never have too many options. Whether clothes or shoes, or even insurance coverage, options are a great thing.
“I enjoy helping my clients feel at ease and confident about the decisions they are making by presenting them with all of the options available to them,” Karen explains. “My goal is to work with each individual to develop an action plan that will meet their goals and budget.”
Working as an insurance agent for the past 15 years, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Her focus is on assisting clients with their life and health insurance in both the individual and group health markets. She offers extensive understanding in senior health products including Medicare policies (Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplemental plans and Part D prescription drug plans); dental, vision and hearing plans; final expense coverage; long term care insurance; and annuities. Karen is also designated as a Long Term Care Professional by Health Insurance Association of America which speaks to her expertise in assisting clients with protecting their assets.
An educator at the core, Karen has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education that over the years has fueled her desire to educate clients on the variety of choices available to them.
“Medicare in itself can be difficult to understand because there are many parts and plans available,” she explains. “I provide my clients with a clear understanding of their options so they can make an educated decision and feel very confident in their selection.”
In the end, Karen wants to be more than just another insurance agent for her clients.
“It is important for my clients to have someone to call when questions arise,” she says. “I focus on building relationships and trust with my clients so they know that I am there for them.”
Attica Office
Licensed Personal Lines CSR