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
316-303-1330
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
316-303-1330
Most people have to search for their ideal career, but that’s not the case for Eck Agency’s Cheri Trefethen.
“Insurance found me!” she exclaims. “I did not set out to be an insurance agent, but I love helping people and this is a great industry to do just that.”
Cheri stumbled upon insurance in 2006 and began working with clients on their home, auto and other personal insurance needs. She then stepped into commercial insurance in 2010, servicing businesses large and small.
“I especially take pleasure in working with nonprofit companies, ministries and churches,” Cheri says. “When I can save these organizations money, I know it’s that much more money they can put back into their mission. Helping them have a greater impact makes it all worth it.”
Ultimately, Cheri wants to give all her clients peace of mind.
“I enjoy reviewing and educating my clients on their coverage,” she explains. “So if they ever have a reason to use the coverage, there is no doubt in their minds if they are covered.”
When she’s not helping the community with their insurance needs, Cheri loves to spend time with her grandkids, ride her bicycle and go fishing.
“And yes, I bait my own hook.”
Licensed Insurance Agent
316-303-1330
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
316-303-1330
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
316-303-1330
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
316-303-1330
Caring and conscientious, Kathy Eck wants to do the best for her clients. She works hard to build quality relationships with each of her clients so she can better understand what they want out of their insurance coverage.
“I enjoy helping people and getting to know each client individually,” Kathy says. “So many of my clients are more than just clients – they’re more like family. I want to take care of my family in any way I can.”
With 15 years of experience as a licensed agent in property, casualty, life and health insurance products, Kathy strives to put her expertise to work for this extended family. She focuses her efforts on educating clients on their options and offering policies that will protect their assets and save them money.
“Because we’re an independent insurance agency, I can compare multiple providers to get great coverage for my clients,” she explains. “I’m able to request quotes from several insurance companies, compare coverage and rates for each and then go over these options with my clients. Ultimately, it’s a winning strategy for my clients.”
When she’s not serving up customized home and auto policies, Kathy most enjoys spending time with her children and grandson. She enjoys being outdoors and stays active riding her mountain bike, running, working in the yard and baking.
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 Insurance Agent
620-254-7222
You can sum up Eck Agency sales agent Katie Hendrick with a short, but popular quote by Shakespeare, “And though she be but little, she is fierce.”
This small package of a woman goes big with everything she does, including caring for her clients.
“It is important to me being able to make a difference in people’s lives,” Katie says.
A licensed insurance agent for eight years, Katie continues in her career with great passion each day because of the gratification she receives.
“Being able to offer protection for my clients and their belongings is very rewarding,” she explains.
A little known tidbit about Katie is that she was adopted from Korea at 5 months old and then became a U.S. citizen at the age of 2. She is thrilled to call America home and lives each day to the fullest with many hobbies and activities.
“I enjoy spending time with my three great children, my wonderful boyfriend and our sweet Rottie,” Katie shares. “I’m a sucker for a good motivational book and also love spending time with family and friends, painting, running, eating sushi and traveling.”
Licensed Personal Lines CSR