Mac-Wagoner-Bell Insurance was founded in 1974 by Robert Bell and purchased by Rob Hipskind in 1981, at which point he changed the name to Bell-Hipskind Insurance. The agency was then sold to Benjamin Schoettmer and David Callahan in December 2013 and renamed Hughes Insurance Group. 

Lorie has been involved in the Insurance Industry for 21 years and serves as a Customer Service Agent.  Lorie graduated from Columbia City High School in 1992 and ITT Technical Institute in 1994 with a Business Administration Degree.  She has been married to her husband, Ken, for 20 years and has 2 children, Alexis-17 and Cole-14.  They currently live in Columbia City, Indiana.  When Lorie isn’t working she enjoys gardening, traveling with her family and watching her daughter play high school/club volleyball and her son play baseball.

Angel Balsley joined Hughes Insurance Group in April 2014 as an agent and the office manager of the Plymouth branch.  Angel is a life-long resident of Plymouth and began her insurance career in 2010, having spent the last three years as an agent for Indiana Farm Bureau.  She has an extensive knowledge and specializes in farm, crop and commercial insurance as well as working with personal lines such as auto and home insurance.  She has a degree in business management with a concentration in human resources from Indiana University.

Angel is active in her community and very involved in the Marshall County 4-H program.  When Angel is not working she is kept busy by her two children, Karzdon and Izabella.  They enjoy showing cattle and swine, participating at the local, state and national level.

Deb Cain has worked for 16 years at an agency in northeast Indiana. A career shift for her husband, Tim brought them to Whitestown in August. They have 4 daughters, three son in laws, and 7 grandkids. Deb enjoys spending time with family.

David Callahan became a Principal and the Vice President of Northern Indiana for Hughes Insurance Group in January of 2014 and is currently working out of the Columbia City location.  David has been in insurance since 2006, after graduating from Huntington University with a degree in business management and a minor in marketing.  While attending Huntington University, he was a four year varsity member of the soccer team. 

David and his wife Stacy married in 2006, and live in Fort Wayne with their two children, Ella and Beckett. They are active members of Emmanuel Community Church and enjoy traveling. When David isn't working he enjoys playing golf, watching Indiana basketball, and spending time with his family.

Kyle joined Hughes Insurance Group as a Vice-President and Principal in July 2015 with 18 years of experience as an agent and agency manager specializing in: Farm, Crop, Business, Auto, Home, Life, and Health Insurance products and financial services.  Previously Kyle was an agent in Tipton County for 11 years and has spent the last 7 years managing agencies in Northeastern Indiana.   Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Hughes Insurance Group where he will be focusing on growing the agencies in Central Indiana.

Mindi brings over 30 years of insurance experience to J & J Insurance (Hughes Insurance Group). She is a graduate of Michigan State University and resides in Churubusco, Indiana. Mindi and her husband, Paul, have two adult children, Spencer and Parker. She enjoys spending time with her husband and sons at their winter cabin and their summers around the pool.

Tina Craft joined Hughes Insurance Group in 2017 as agent and office manager of the Albion office. Tina started her insurance career in 1983. Prior to joining the Hughes Insurance Group team, Tina was owner of Craft Insurance Agency in Albion. Tina is a life-long Noble County resident and graduate from Central Noble High School. Tina and her husband, Steve, have two grown children, Jace and Kelsey. In her spare time you'll find her walking, kayaking, golfing, biking or simply relaxing with a good book.

Coming Soon

Bryan is a 2007 graduate of Tipton High School and a 2011 graduate of the University of Saint Francis, where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Laken, working out, golfing with his friends and family, and traveling. Bryan is also the back-bone of the Hughes golf squad. Bryan is excited about the opportunity to work in the life and health department of Hughes.  

Natasha Everling is an agent at Hughes Insurance Group. She has worked for the agency since 2003, first as a part-time employee and then as a customer service representative in the Tipton office before receiving her insurance license.  Natasha currently manages the Tipton office and oversees new business written in Tipton County.  Natasha, a graduate of Tri-Central High School, and she has three children and has lived in Tipton county all her life.

Kristin Flora graduated from Purdue University in 2010 with a degree in AgriBusiness Management along with Communications and Organizational Leadership and Supervision.

She and her husband Justin live in Avon with their children Gunner, Lexington and Branson.

Previously, Kristin worked as a Corn Specialist for AgriGold Hybrids. Justin and his brother own Flora Brothers Painting and AllBrothers Exteriors. They are based out of Avon and work all over the Indianapolis area. Justin and Kristin are active members of Kingsway Christian Church. In their free time, they enjoy camping, traveling to tropical beaches around the world and taking their Harley Davidson on road trips.

Diane Hughes has worked in the insurance field since 1979, overseeing employee benefit plans for Speedway Petroleum, managing 401(k) plans at Milliman and Roberts, and providing customer service to businesses and individuals at CLS Benefits.  Diane joined Everett Hughes insurance in 2003 to work with her husband, Everett Hughes.

Jim has been at Boone Mutual Agency since 1999 and owned the agency from 2005 until they merged with Hughes in 2016. He has sold P and C as well as Life and Health. Jim has primarily concentrated on farm, contractors and equine.

Jim was a farm kid and raised hogs when he graduated from Purdue, he went into the animal health industry in 1979 until 1999. He is still married to Debbie, where his taste are impeccable, hers are questionable after 34 years with him. They have 2 daughters, both graduated from Purdue, (the real Indiana University).

Blake Hunter joined Hughes Insurance Group in June 2013 as an agent after selling his family owned agency to Hughes Insurance Group . Prior to joining Hughes Insurance Group, Blake was the owner/operator of Hunter Insurance Agency, Inc. in Arcadia where he was a 3^rd generation owner. Blake is a licensed P & C and life and health agent specializing in the farm market for the Cicero office.

Blake has over 30 years of insurance experience working alongside his mother and eventually his father prior to their retirements. Blake has lived in Hamilton County all his life and graduated from Hamilton Heights in 1983 where he met his wife, Gwen for the first time their senior year of high school. 5 years later after taking different paths, rekindled their relationship at their 1st class reunion and were married in September 1989.

Blake & Gwen have 3 three children, Nathan, Heather and Austin where they also graduated from Hamilton Heights. Gwen is currently an OR Nurse at IU North in Carmel. Blake enjoys spending time with his family and especially traveling whenever possible.

Tammy comes to our agency with 8 years of insurance experience and serves as a customer service agent. She has been married to her husband, Geoff, for 23 years and has 2 children, Jarred-22 and Jordyn-16. When Tammy isn’t working she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 6 nieces and 1 nephew and watching THE Ohio State Buckeye football. 

Tom Lewis is an agent for Hughes Insurance Group, licensed in property and casualty and life and health . Prior to joining Hughes Insurance Group as an independent agent in 2009, Tom owned the Lewis Associates Agency as a Farmers Insurance captive agent. His insurance career also includes positions as Resident Vice President with Eldredge and Associates, Inc. (now Allied Solutions, LLC) in Cicero and Marlton, New Jersey, Sales Manager for Retail Branch Distribution with Bank One Insurance Group, and Sales and Service Manager for Creditor Resources, Inc. After growing up in Indianapolis and attending Brebeuf Jesuit High School, Xavier University in Cincinnati and Indiana University - Bloomington, Tom moved to the Cicero and Arcadia area in 1983 and has two daughters, Erin and Emily, both graduates of Hamilton Heights. Many long time residents of the area may also remember Tom from his days as Manager of the Waterfront Inn in the early 1980's.e

Alice has been in the insurance industry for 29 years. She currently holds a P & C license. She is married and has 2 children. In her free time, her hobbies are camping and gardening.

Dennis has been in the insurance industry since 1975 when he started working with his father at the Merritt L Norris Insurance agency.  Dennis Joined Hughes Insurance Group, along with the Merritt L Norris Insurance Agency, in the Spring of 2017.  Dennis is active in his community, he is a member of the board for the Whitley County of Chamber and is an active member of the South Whitley United Methodist Church.  He was also a Whitley County Emergency Responder for over 15 years.

Dennis and his wife Debra have been married since 2010 and currently have 7 Grandchildren.  Other than working and spending time with family, Dennis also enjoys cars, boats, campers, working in his yard and playing with his Yellow Lab Dakota.

Tracy Roberts joined Hughes Insurance Group in 2017 and works out of the Albion office.  She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Agriculture.  Tracy is married to Matt Roberts and they have a daughter.  The Roberts Farm is located in Wawaka, IN where they contract feed out cattle, raise corn, soybeans, hay, and sell farm fresh produce.  In the fall, they open their farm up to the public with a corn maze, hay maze, pumpkin patch, and other activities.  In their spare time they enjoy camping, attending farm shows, and supporting Indiana agriculture.

William (Bill) has been working in the insurance industry since 1976 when he first started working at W. J. Schaab & Co (then called W. C. Schaab & Co), a company that was originally founded by Bill’s Grandfather in 1929.  Bill joined Hughes Insurance Group, along with W. J. Schaab & Co, in the Fall of 2017. 

Bill and his wife (Kim) reside in downtown Auburn, where Bill is an active member of the Elks Club.  Bill and his wife also have two children, William (Will) and Kate.  I addition to spending time with his family, Bill also enjoys golf and cheering on his favorite teams: Cubs, Bears and Indiana Basketball.

Benjamin began his insurance career working for Mr. Everett Hughes in 2006, while continuing to manage his real estate investment company. In 2008 he purchased both of the Everett Hughes Insurance agencies and has been committed to actively expanding the business throughout the state. His Business Management, Marketing and Human Resources degree from Indiana University, along with an extensive knowledge of technology, made him an excellent fit for the insurance industry.  He is currently working on his MBA through Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Benjamin was raised on a local hog farm in Tipton and was homeschooled during high school.  He was an Eagle Scout and a 10 Year 4H member along with his wife Tawny. Growing up he enjoyed boating, camping, photography and competitive shooting. 

He and Tawny, his high school sweetheart, were married in 2009 and have two children, Kate and Lucas. They are active members of Rock Prairie Church in Tipton and his free time, you will find Benjamin golfing or traveling with his family. They currently reside in Tipton.

Jason Schoettmer is the operations manager, overseeing Hughes Insurance Group’s administration, information technology, process optimization, program development, and facilities management.

After graduating cum laude from Taylor University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management, Jason spent time as a real estate agent. After leaving the real estate field Jason started his insurance career working as the operations analyst for an Indianapolis, IN brokerage firm until starting with Hughes Insurance Group November of 2014.

Jason is actively involved with his church community as well as his local food pantry.

Austin Smith joined Hughes Insurance Group in the Sales Operations role in 2017.  Austin has been in the Insurance industry since 2011 after graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. 

Austin currently resides in Greentown, IN with his wife Katy.  When he isn’t working Austin enjoys golfing, spending time at the lake and traveling with his wife.

Heather has been involved in the insurance industry for over 9 years and serves as an Account Manager for WalkerHughes Group.  In 1995, Heather graduated from Baker College with honors and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.  In 2018, Heather earned a Paralegal degree and graduated with honors.  Heather is licensed for Life, Health, Property and Casualty insurance lines.  She has been married to her husband, Jim for over 20 years. They have two children and reside in Columbia City, Indiana.  Heather enjoys traveling, boating and working out.

Becky Tonkel has been involved in the insurance industry for 28 years and serves as a Customer Service Agent.  She is married and lives in Albion, Indiana.  Becky has 4 children and 13 grandchildren.  When she’s not working she enjoys the outdoors, golf and fun on the water.  She especially enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Coming Soon

Sandy Vice joined Hughes Insurance Group in April 2014 as a Customer Service Representative.  Sandy began her insurance career with State Farm Insurance in 1998 and has been in insurance ever since, working a variety of positions including claims, sales and customer service.

Sandy lives in Plymouth with her husband Tim and their two children Shaylee and Austin.  In her free time she enjoys camping, fun on the water and spending time with her family and friends.

Stan Washler is serving as a mentor and an agent for Auburn Insurance Center, a division of Hughes Insurance Group.  He focuses primarily on property and casualty and has has been an insurance agent for 26 years.  Prior to joining Hughes Insurance Group in 2014, Stan was the owner of the Auburn Insurance Center, Inc., which he opened in February, 2001.  His insurance career also includes serving as an agent and county manager for Farm Bureau Insurance in DeKalb county. Through his career, Stan has seen many changes in the industry, but one thing has always stayed the same; “keeping the client’s needs first.” 

Adinda began her career in the Insurance industry in 2004 as an insurance Agent/CSR.  While Adinda originally joined the Hughes Insurance Group as the Marketing Manager in July of 2015, she returned to roots as a Customer Service Associate in the Summer of 2017 assisting customers primarily from our Cicero Office.  

Her and her husband Justin have been together since 2000 and were married in 2005.  They both currently reside in Tipton County as well as they are very involved in the community.  They are at the moment enjoying being parents to their son Karson and daughter Amelia.  In her free time, you will find Adinda enjoying her family and traveling. 

Jacie has been in the insurance business for over 40 years. In 1990 she and June Keiser purchased the Kiester Agency in Columbia City. That was the beginning of the J & J Insurance Solutions Agency. She also has been very active in the community serving on numerous not for profit board. She is currently a member of the Junior Achievement Board, President of the local Rotary Club and a current Columbia City Council Woman. She currently specializes in farm and crop insurance for the Hughes Insurance Group.

Jacie has two married daughters and three grandchildren.  She enjoys traveling, hosting exchange students, golfing, and gardening. She loves her community and is anxious to see it grow and become a vibrant part of Northern Indiana.