Introduction of the Agency Servicing Team...

Your servicing team at Anton Insurance Agency is comprised of eighteen licensed professional insurance agents dedicated to the philosophy:

To protect our clients, their employees, assets and income against the risk of unforeseen economic loss and to respond, quickly and correctly, to clients needs.

Michael R. Anton, Jr. - (P&C/L&H) Agency Principal, has over thirty-five years’ experience and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation as well as the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) and the Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation.  Mike has been president of the Porter County Association of Independent Insurance Agents (PCAIIA) and served a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Big I.  Mike has served as an instructor for the AAI Program and he also serves as a board member of the local Duneland YMCA.  He is a twenty year member of the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club and Past President.  Mike is also a Past President of the Duneland Jaycees and the Duneland Chamber of Commerce.  He coached and sponsored Babe Ruth baseball for eighteen years.  Mike and his wife Nancy have five children. His hobbies are physical fitness, biking and traveling, along with a recently acquired addiction to golf.

Nancy S. Anton - (P&C) Office Manager, has over twenty-six years of insurance experience.  Nancy has earned the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation.  She oversees the daily operations of the agency and is involved with servicing commercial lines clients, as well as handling the agency accounting and is located in our Chesterton office.  Nancy and Mike reside in Chesterton and Nancy enjoys gardening, biking, and traveling when she is not busy studying agency reports.

James P. Anton - (P&C/L&H) joined the agency in 1997 and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.  Jim is active in commercial insurance sales and assists with personal lines production, along with being involved with the agency automation systems.  He is a member of the Indiana Big I Young Agents, Chesterton-Porter Rotary, Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce and has been on the Big I Convention Committee since 1999.  He was also on the Valparaiso Chamber “Fun Day” Committee.  He resides in Valparaiso and his hobbies include softball, bowling, and golf. 

Robert S. Bryant - (P&C/L&H) has over twenty-five years’ experience in the insurance industry.  He is a producer of both personal lines products and employee benefits plans, specializing in third party administration and is located in our Chesterton office.  Bob has serviced commercial group products most of his career.  He is a past president of the Porter County Association of Independent Insurance Agents and has been with the Anton Insurance Agency since September of 1985.  Bob was Past President and Peanut Perennial Chairman of the Duneland Kiwanis.  He resides in Valparaiso with two of his children.  His hobbies include running, tennis, and World War II history.

Leslie H. Bunchek - (P&C) has over seven years of experience in the insurance industry and joined our team in November of 1999.  Leslie has a BA from Purdue University and is a customer service agent in the commercial lines department at our Valparaiso office.  She resides in Valparaiso with her husband, Matt, and two children.  She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family, while being a part-time aviation aficionado.

Kathryn I. Byrnes - (P&C) joined our team in August of 2000 and received her Indiana property and casualty license in 2003.  Kathy is assistant director of marketing and helps the agency with quoting and servicing our personal lines accounts.  She resides in Chesterton with her husband, Tom, and their children, Michael, Bruce, and Jolene.

Rita A. Grube - (P&C) has over twenty-four years’ experience and has earned the Accredited Advisor of Insurance (AAI) designation.  She is a past officer for the Porter County Association of Independent Insurance Agents.  Rita is a customer service agent in our personal lines department.  She has been with Anton Insurance Agency since August of 1989.  Rita has taken on retirement hours and helps the agency with special projects and training.  Rita resides in Wheatfield and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and going to the movies.

Julie A. Kelchak - (P&C/L&H) has been associated with Anton Insurance Agency since August of 1984 and has over twenty-five years’ experience in the insurance industry.  Julie started in the personal lines side of the business and then moved to commercial lines sales over fifteen years ago.  She is involved in commercial lines production mainly for our Chesterton office.  Julie has been active in Delta Theta Tau as an officer for the past twenty years.  She continually returns as co-captain of ALS volunteers.   Julie lives in Chesterton with her husband, Jim, and their daughter, Liz.  In her spare time, Julie enjoys hiking, reading, and listening to music.

Julie A. Mendoza - (P&C) has worked in the insurance industry for over fifteen years and has been with Anton Insurance Agency since September of 1990.  Julie is a customer service agent for our commercial clients, working closely with our municipal accounts.  Julie also has bookkeeping responsibility and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.  She and her husband, Harry, reside in Valparaiso with their three daughters.

Heather E. Minard - (P&C) joined the agency in February of 1998.  Heather is a customer service agent in our commercial lines department for our Chesterton office and is an integral part of the computer department for the agency.  Heather resides in Valparaiso with her husband, Chris, and their daughters, Halie and Caitlin.  Her hobbies include biking, coaching softball, hiking, and camping.

Natalie M. Rucker - (P&C/L&H) joined the agency in January of 2001.  She is a customer service agent in our personal lines department in our Valparaiso office.  Natalie lives in Portage with her husband, Marion, and their children, Marion, Jr. and Cynthia.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her friends.

Sheryl L. Smith - (P&C/L&H) has over fifteen  years’ experience in the insurance industry and has been with Anton Insurance Agency since February of 1990.  Sheryl has completed the IIAI program for personal lines.  She is a customer service agent in personal lines and is involved in producing the agency newsletter.  Sheryl resides in Portage with her husband, Raymond, their daughter, Payton, and their son, Ryan.

Kerry M. Sroufek - (P&C) joined the agency in September of 2003.  She started as a customer service representative for our personal lines clients, transferred to our Valparaiso office, and is now a customer service agent in our commercial lines department.  She is currently living in Valparaiso with her two children, Haley and Adam.

Lana C. Sypnieski - (P&C) joined the agency in August of 2007 and is a customer service representative for our commercial lines department in our Chesterton office.  In July of 2008, Lana acquired her property and casualty license.  She is currently working on her Bachelor's degree in Business Management at Purdue North Central.  She resides in Michigan City and enjoys relaxing on the beach, reading novels, exercising, cooking, and visiting with family and friends.

Michelle L. Wertzberger - (P&C) joined the agency in June of 2005 and is a customer service representative in our personal lines department at our Chesterton office.  In October of 2005, Michelle acquired her property and casualty license.  She resides in Portage with her husband, Mark, and their two sons, Nathan and Alex.

Leigh R. Westergren - (P&C/L&H) received her Indiana life and health license in January of 2003, joined the agency in November of 2003, and acquired her property and casualty license in June of 2005.  She is a business development agent for the agency’s employee benefit product line and heads the benefits division of the agency, actively working with prospects and existing clients concerning health, life, disability and other related ancillary insurance lines for individual, commercial, municipal, and industrial entities. Leigh is a member of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club, the Rebuilding Together Duneland committee, serves as a board member for Kiwanis and is currently working towards the designation of Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS). Leigh resides in Chesterton with her husband, Matt, their three sons.