Biographies

Sharon LeTourneau

Agent / Commercial Customer Service Representative

Sharon has been a licensed agent in Property and Casualty Insurance since 1987 and has worked for Whelan and Company for over 25 years. Sharon is responsible for handling commercial customers’ insurance needs such as 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 is responsible for managing the agencies personal lines book of business. This includes home, auto, umbrella, boat, recreational vehicle, etc. Ryan can also tailor your commercial insurance to specifically meet your company's needs.

Laurie Straub

Office Manager – Premium Accounting and Personal Lines Assistant

Laurie came to Whelan & Company as a former bank Branch Manager. She is responsible for personal lines policy changes, claims processing, and premium payments. 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

Jim has been in the Insurance profession for over 42 Years.  He has an extensive professional resume’ in insurance; personal finance; marketing and business development. Jim began his insurance career back in 1974 with Farm Bureau Insurance 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 serves on the board for the Kiwanis Club of Paw Paw.