Applications.
Jason Kelling
OWNER / UNDERWRITER
SD / ND
Jason grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but also has strong ties to western North Dakota where his family homesteaded. He is a husband and father of two, who entered the insurance industry as a commercial underwriter in 1997. He feels blessed to have “accidentally” fallen into the industry straight out of college. Throughout his time as an insurance professional, he has mainly worked in the excess and surplus areas and feels very fortunate to be able to work with so many outstanding agencies, carriers, and fellow employees. Jason received one of the greatest pieces of advice on his first day of work as a young professional from a senior underwriter. He was told “Kid - all you need to know is don’t ever burn a bridge, this industry is small, and you will work with most of these folks again in a different place!” and that has rang so true throughout his time in the industry. He feels thankful for all of the connections and relationships built with people from all over the midwest.
JASON KELLING
OWNER / UNDERWRITER
SD / ND
April Kelling
OWNER / CFO
April is a South Dakota native, born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. Her degree in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of South Dakota launched a career path which has been quite an adventure. From tax accounting, business consulting, and other entrepreneurial endeavors, she has now landed in insurance, alongside her husband, Jason. The joys of her life include spending time with Jason, their two children and her family and friends. She also finds great happiness in caring for and spending time with her horses.
APRIL KELLING
OWNER / CFO
Gavin Dehaai
UNDERWRITER
NE / IA / SD
Gavin was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Concordia University in Seward, NE with a degree in Business Administration and Finance. Early on in his career, he met Jason Kelling, who ended up being a great friend and mentor. Fast forward, Gavin is now working alongside Jason and feels lucky to have found such an incredible opportunity at a great company, so early in his career. Gavin has kept close connections in the Nebraska and South Dakota areas, which allows for frequent travel between the two. He spends his time running around with his wife and kids. They enjoy being highly involved in church, hunting, and many other outdoor activities.
GAVIN DEHAAI
UNDERWRITER
NE / IA / SD
Gretchen Groves
OPERATIONS MANAGER
ALL STATES
Gretchen was born in Mesa, AZ and has lived in several states before landing in South Dakota. She graduated from Augustana University with a degree in Accounting, after which she moved to California and spent 6 years in the real estate development industry in finance and accounting. Missing the wide open spaces, she moved back to South Dakota, and received her second degree in Fine Arts and spent her time as a mom and painter. Gretchen began working for Jason in 2012 as her children were starting to spread their wings. She has a son, daughter, and one grandchild. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, doing DIY home improvements, photography, and occasionally painting.
Gretchen Groves
Operations Manager
ALL STATES
Janet Miller
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Janet was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She has relocated to several places throughout the Midwest, as a result of her husband’s job transfers, but is happy to be back in Sioux Falls. After several years in the banking business, she took a break from her career to raise her daughter. The insurance business has been an exciting opportunity as she resumed her career path. She enjoys her work and values the people at Redstone. During her down-time she enjoys spending time with her family and asks God to guide every step of her daily journey.
Janet Miller
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT
SPECIALIST
Jim Rysavy
UNDERWRITER
ALL STATES
Jim is excited to be back in the insurance industry. He has been a Certified Appraiser since 1999 with extensive experience in valuation and consulting work. Prior to his appraisal profession, he worked for two Fortune 100 companies in the technology and insurance industries, respectively. Jim is blessed daily by his wife and their two children. In his free time, Jim enjoys being with family, friends and participating in the various outdoor activities that the Upper Midwest has to offer.
JIM RYSAVY
UNDERWRITER
ALL STATES
Joanne Johnson
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Joanne grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and entered the insurance industry in 2008. She began as a receptionist and not long after, began working alongside Jason as his Account Manager. During her time in the role, she learned the ins and outs of the insurance industry through Jason’s expertise and patience. Joanne is a wife and mom to two teenage boys. In her free time she enjoys camping, reading, shopping, traveling and cheering on her boys as they ski and snowboard.
Joanne Johnson
Underwriting Support
Specialist
Jody Reisch
UNDERWRITING MANAGER
SD / IA / MN / ND
Jody is a retired Veteran of the MN National Guard. He graduated from SDSU with a degree in Ag Business and Finance. He currently lives in Luverne, MN with his wife and two grown sons. During the first few years of his insurance career, Jody had the chance to connect and work with Jason Kelling, which has given him the opportunity to continue his career at Redstone Insurance Brokers. Jody is grateful for the impactful experiences from prior jobs, such as claim work, loss control, marketing and underwriting, which have all contributed to making him a jack of all “insurance” trades, and a master of none! In his free time, he serves as a County Commissioner for Rock County, MN and spends time golfing, going to the lake, and enjoying the company of his wife and good friends.
JODY REISCH
Underwriting Manager
SD / IA / MN / ND
Joe Hatchett
UNDERWRITER
MN / IA / ND / WI / MI
Joe was born and raised in the Twin Cities area and attended college at Drake University. He graduated with majors in Finance and Marketing with a concentration in Insurance. He began his insurance career in 2011 while interning for a local MGA in Des Moines, IA. After a few years, he moved back home to the Twin Cities area to be closer to family. Now living in Hugo, MN, he is married with two young daughters. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, football, and escaping to the family cabin to spend time with those that matter most to him.
JOE HATCHETT
Underwriter
MN / IA / ND / WI / MI
Karen Kelling
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Karen grew up in Sioux Falls, SD. She graduated from SDSU with a degree in Business with a minor in Ag Business. During college, she spent two summers working for a local bank focusing on crop insurance. After graduating, she continued working in the crop insurance department until deciding to try a new endeavor. She began working in the farm insurance department for a few years until starting her insurance journey with Redstone Insurance Brokers in 2023. Karen resides on an acreage outside of Sioux Falls with her husband. They raise their two sons in a rural setting. In her free time, you can find her training her dogs and participating in many dog sports.
KAREN KELLING
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT
SPECIALIST
Monica Begeman
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Monica grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota, attended college at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, but then returned to South Dakota and made her home in Sioux Falls. She is married to her husband, Matt, and they have two children Mason and Mavrick. She previously worked in the Health Insurance industry and made the switch seven years ago to Property and Casualty. She enjoys attending all of her kids' activities and traveling in her free time.
Monica Begeman
Underwriting Support
Specialist
Rachel Mertes
UNDERWRITER
NE / WY / MT / ID
Rachel grew up on the Monterey Peninsula in California and eventually made her way to the midwest, currently residing in Rapid City, SD. She began her insurance career in 1997 and has been living the dream ever since. Rachel is married with 3 adult sons, 3 amazing daughters-in-law, and 5 very energetic grandbabies. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling in their van to see their children who are spread from coast to coast.
RACHEL MERTES
UNDERWRITER
NE / WY / MT / ID
Tamme Klutman
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
Tamme Klutman was born and raised in Yankton, SD. She has an associates degree in horticulture, and has been influential in this field for over 20 years, specializing in annuals, perennials, turf management, and landscape design. It was in this field where she met April Kelling 15 years ago. Fast forward, Tamme is now working alongside April and Jason and feels lucky to have been given this incredible opportunity at Redstone. When Tamme is not tending to her gardens, her husband Dan and her love to travel, compete in a variety of pool tournaments, and hang out with friends and family. Tamme also owns a voice over company where she narrates audiobooks and guided meditation videos, along with other projects such as commercials. Insurance has its own language, but Tamme’s experience in customer service, sales, marketing, and communication helped the transition into this ever-changing and exciting field!
TAMME KLUTMAN
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
Solveig Frerk
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Solveig Frerk grew up in North Dakota and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Florida with the firm decision never to shovel snow again. In 2003, family and children brought her to South Dakota, where she and her husband, Brad, now live in Garretson with their two youngest daughters, Ella and Lydia. Their oldest son, Diontae, lives in Sioux Falls, and their oldest daughter, Aliah, is a student at UNMC in Omaha.
With 29 years of experience in the insurance industry, Solveig began her career on the carrier side, specializing in ancillary benefits. Since returning to Sioux Falls, she has worked on the agency side of both life/health and personal insurance. She is now excited for the opportunity to be part of the broker side of the industry.
Outside of work, Solveig and her family stay busy with soccer, basketball, and track. When not at sporting events, they enjoy time at their campsite west of Platte and fishing trips with friends.
Solveig Frerk
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT
SPECIALIST
Jackie Miller
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Jackie is a South Dakota native born and raised in Alpena, SD. Her degree in Computer Software from Mitchell Technical Institute launched a career path for the past 20 years in banking. In 2021 she landed in the insurance world, and she has been with Redstone since January of 2024. She enjoys cheering on her 3 kids at their sporting events and going on hikes with her husband and 2 dogs.
JACKIE MILLER
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT
SPECIALIST
JACKIE@REDSTONEQUICK.COM
605.201.2769
ALEX TESSEM
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
With over 10 years of underwriting experience across a wide range of coverage lines, Alex brings extensive industry knowledge and expertise. In his free time, he volunteers with the Pollinator Friendly Alliance and other organizations dedicated to pollinator support and habitat restoration. When he’s not volunteering, Alex enjoys gardening, fishing, and taking his daughter on new adventures.
ALEX TESSEM
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
ALEX@REDSTONEQUICK.COM
763.257.6929
DAVID GEIDEL
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
David grew up in Hesston, Kansas. He graduated from Concordia University in Seward, NE with a degree in Business Administration and Finance. He is married with 4 kids and lives near Bee, Nebraska. His first job out of college was in insurance regulation. In his free time, he enjoys golf, home renovations, and family time.
DAVID GEIDEL
RENEWAL UNDERWRITER
DAVID@REDSTONEQUICK.COM
620.217.1269
emily van grinsven
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Emily has been a part of the Redstone Team since the fall of 2024, working in the Processing department. She was born and raised in Minnesota and has a love for all four seasons. She attended school at the University of Wisconsin- River Falls where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. She has previous work experience in home mortgages and human resources that helped build the foundation in her current position. Her belief in making sure she does a job well and helping others applies to every aspect of her life (Colossians 3:17).
EMILY Van Grinsven
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT
SPECIALIST