MEM has added five new members to its Agents’ Advisory Council in 2026. This diverse group of insurance experts will advise MEM on marketing strategies and advocate for agents’ needs. Members serve four-year terms, ensuring consistent engagement and fresh perspectives on the 20-member council of independent agents.
“The strategic insights from our regional council are essential,” Rene Eslinger, VP, Chief Underwriting Officer, said. “This feedback loop ensures that as our policyholders and their business needs grow, MEM evolves with them to provide the right value.”
MEM welcomes the following new council members:
Mark Donaldson is the Chief Insurance Officer at Dimond Bros. Insurance, where he has been a dedicated member of the team since 1999. Over the years, he has held several key roles, including Commercial Producer, Agency Manager, and Chief Operating Officer, before stepping into his current leadership position. As Chief Insurance Officer, Mark oversees the company’s sales division, guiding nearly 100 Sales Executives across all lines of business.
He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, and he obtained his insurance license in 1997. Outside the office, Mark enjoys spending time with his ever-growing family, hunting, fishing, hiking and cheering on the Kansas State Wildcats and LSU Tigers.
Tabbatha Sipes is Area President for AssuredPartners. She is responsible for the strategic direction of AssuredPartners’ St. Louis office as well as its satellite offices in Glen Carbon, Illinois, and Richmond, Virginia. Key areas of focus for these offices include construction, captive/alternative risk, manufacturing, technology, private equity, and real estate.
Tabbatha also oversees direct client management, the development and execution of growth and retention strategies, employee performance and development, budget planning and accountability, adherence to professional standards, and the implementation of merger and acquisition strategies. She began her insurance career in 2003 with Hortica Insurance’s brokerage operations and earned a bachelor’s degree from McKendree University and a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. In 2018, Tabbatha was recognized as one of Business Insurance magazine’s “Young Guns.” Additionally, she holds the following insurance designations: Customer Service Insurance Representative and Associate in Risk Management.
Todd Walker is Vice President at Insurance Incorporated and Associates and part owner of the firm along with Bob McIntire. He has more than 23 years of experience in the insurance industry, having worked with Insurance Incorporated and Associates since 2002.
Todd graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Insurance and Finance. He has a wife named Tracey, a son named Jackson, and a Golden doodle named Harley. Family time is extremely important to Todd, and they enjoy boating and spending time at Parksville Lake. They attend First Baptist Church, as faith is very important to them. Todd and Tracey have volunteered many hours with the American Cancer Society, as Tracey has been a cancer survivor since 2002. Todd loves sports of all kinds and has coached a youth basketball team for many years. He also enjoys music, traveling, and cars.
Mike Pertzborn, an owner of Stille Pierce & Pertzborn Insurance Services, is a fourth-generation insurance agent with 16 years of experience, primarily in large commercial P&C.
Prior to insurance, Mike attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a degree in Finance. Mike is also a Veteran of the war in Iraq and served 6 years in the Marine Corps.
He enjoys working with his family members at the agency and with all the staff, who are essentially his extended family. Outside of work, Mike loves spending time with his wife and 4 children, boating, working on the acreage, hunting and golfing, even though he is a horrible golfer.
Chip Piper is a Vice President and started working at Powell & Meadows after graduating from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2009. He has enjoyed working with and learning from his father, Phillip Piper. In 2017, Chip became Vice President and Minority Partner at the agency. Chip enjoys his job for many reasons, but mainly because the insurance industry is constantly evolving, which presents new opportunities and challenges. He enjoys finding the best solution for each customer’s situation and helping them grow their business or protect their family.
Chip and Phillip look to continue Powell & Meadows 132-year history well into the future. Chip is married to Stefani Piper, and they have twins, Ella Lee and Cohen. He also serves on the Cincinnati Insurance Company’s Agent Innovation Committee.
MEM would also like to recognize the following outgoing Agents’ Advisory Council members for their years of service and insights:
Kyane Marble, Commercial Account Manager, Hawkins Harrison Agency in Edina, Missouri
Nick Lee, Lee is Vice President of Sales and Market Development with Cline Wood in Leawood, Kansas, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC.
Shane Davolt, CEO of GM Peters Agency in Liberty, Missouri
Brent Westhoven, President, Beimdiek Insurance/AssuredPartners in Carthage, Missouri.
Todd Heitshusen, Chief Marketing Officer and Practice Leader, HUB International in Overland Park, Kansas