Biographies

Luanne Austin

Personal Lines Manager

Luanne spent 10 years in the banking industry before moving over to insurance in 1985.  Luanne was part of the Ellis agency that was purchased by Jim Whelan in 1991 and continued on with the new organization.  Luanne is responsible for recommending personal lines coverage under homeowners, automobile, boat, cycle, and jewelry floater policies.  She also services renewals, policy changes, data input for new business and online interaction with insurance partners.
 

Sharon LeTourneau

Agent / Customer Service Representative

Sharon has been a licensed agent in Property and Casualty Insurance since 1987.  She writes both personal and commercial lines of business.  Sharon is responsible for handling customers’ insurance needs such as accounting questions concerning premium billing, insurance quotes, renewal reviews, and policy changes.
 

J. Ryan Whelan

Executive Account Manager

Ryan grew up in the insurance business watching his father help customers in their community.  After graduating from Paw Paw High School Ryan went on to earn his degree from Western Michigan University with a major in Business Management and a minor in Insurance.  Ryan specializes in commercial lines of insurance, tailoring packages specifically to meet your company’s needs.  He also writes all personal lines of insurance.
 

Laurie Straub

Office Manager – Premium Accounting
Personal Lines Assistant

Laurie came to Whelan & Company as a former banking Branch Manager with a degree in Business Management.  She has completed training certification in New Producer-Personal Lines, Claims Processing, and Life Insurance.  Joining the Whelan team in 2004 Laurie is a valuable asset to our customers providing premium accounting services and extensive knowledge of all our products and services.
 

James M. Whelan, CLU, LIC

President & Principal of Whelan & Company

Spanning nearly 40 years, Jim Whelan has an extensive professional resume’ in insurance; personal finance; marketing and business development. Jim began his insurance career back in 1974 with Farmers Insurance Bureau and quickly became Agency Manager for a 3 county territory.  Jim earned a masters degree in financial planning in 1979 while also winning the distinguished manager award for State of Michigan.  Jim purchased Ranson-Faul agency in 1987 and Ellis agency in 1991 and merged the two agencies in 1999 to create what is now Whelan & Company.  An active member of the community Jim is the past President of the Greater Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce and is President-elect for the Kiwanis Club of Paw Paw.