Don Schlagel: Allstate Insurance

Bios

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  Smokey Point Staff

• Stephanie Burgess

  Licensed Insurance Professional

  Have you ever changed careers and found yourself in a job that you love but you never considered the job to begin with? For me, being an insurance just sort of happened. It was simple— I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I just moved to Washington, I needed a job, and I spotted the “help wanted” sign on an agent’s door down in Wallingford. One short interview later, I was hired and my journey in insurance began. That was 1999. After almost two decades of experience under my belt, I came to this Agency in 2015 and have been working at the Arlington, Washington location on Smokey Point Boulevard since. Time has flown by. You can learn a lot over the years if you focus on the customers themselves, and not just the product. Selling the need of the customer, and then selling the need of the product, is how I look at things. Tailoring coverages to fit the financial needs and coverage needs of every individual is a unique process, and not a one “size fits all.” Having that mentality is probably why I am knowledgeable about coverages and claims—you have to be willing to listen, be open to different scenarios, and be ready for any kind of outcome to take place. Come to think about it, I am active and adaptable like that in all aspects of my life, whether it be because I am a boy mom, I love discussing politics, or one of my favorite hobbies is Exercising. If you have kids, you know that they can surprise you and you have to think fast on your feet, especially when they are teenagers. If you ever discuss politics, you know that it is a sensitive subject, and if you want to get points or facts across, it is best to have a level head and have facts ready. Exercising is tailored to that need—whether it is to blow off steam, reduce stress, give you a means to meet new people, boost confidence, give you more energy, make you feel physically better, or all the above. After your needs are figured out, your workout regimen begins, you become more active, and it adapts as time goes on to fit your needs…Just like writing a new insurance policy and then doing regular insurance reviews. Yes, I do think being a mom and my hobbies help make me a better agent. Now, am I going to be the better agent in your mind when you compare me to others you have worked with after talking with me? I’m not sure, but let’s talk and find out! Customers normally like that I am friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. People skills, attention to detail, organization, communication, and the like are top things that are important to me when I talk to both a new customer and a long-time customer.

  Link: Stephanie Burgess

• Casey Donahue

  Licensed Insurance Professional

  Being in sales and customer service since the 1990s, I know that one thing will never change for me over the years: helping customers is what I love about my job. As everyone who has worked in the sales industry knows, being a part of customer-focused service and sales is like riding a rollercoaster. The ups and downs make it an interesting (and sometimes a bit scream-worthy) adventure. To make it a ride you want to continue being on, you must put people first, even if that means the sale is seated a little farther back. In 2005, when I started in the insurance industry, I discovered that working in insurance means that you must take that philosophy to heart even more so than to say something like a cellphone tech job, which I did earlier on in my career. People work hard for their assets, and a single life event can jeopardize all that they have worked for in the blink of an eye, especially if coverages aren’t explained and personal needs are not properly evaluated before a claim. Not to mention, insurance is always changing. At the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I was here for customers, I made going over coverage less complicated, and I helped make the aftermath of any potential loss less stressful by explaining things in a simple fashion and providing stable coverage. Helping protect families and their assets is actually what got me interested in being an insurance agent in the first place. When I started working at the agency in 2021, I knew that each day would be about going that extra mile to help customers feel comfortable and confident when speaking with me, knowing for certain that when they call in, I can take care of their needs and questions. After all, if you are not approachable in this industry, you are missing out on a lot. Missing out on things does not sit well with me in my professional or personal life. Hard-working, intelligent, and fun-loving aren’t just personality traits. I must have those types of experiences every year, which is why when I am not working, I do a lot of traveling and spending time with family (I’ve visited all 50 states), I go kayaking, never pass up an opportunity to go hiking, and enjoy a golf game here and there. In my downtime, I also play piano. We all have different interests that cost money, and I know that hobbies can also be expensive if they lead to a claim. I look forward to getting to know each of customer and helping them discover how to best protect their interests with not only home and auto insurance, but also boat insurance, ATV coverage, motorcycle policies, and so much more. Give me a call today to chat about what I can do for you

  Link: Casey Donahue

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  Kara Rickman

  Licensed Insurance Professional

  Ever since I have been an insurance agent I have represented Allstate. I can also say without a doubt that I am a customer just like the ones I serve, being that I am an Allstate agent myself. What can I say? I really like the quality of the product, customer service, and atmosphere the company has to offer! I joined the insurance agent career path in 2021, getting licensed in the state of Washington and state of California. For the agency, I only write policies in Washington, but if you happen to know someone who is moving from California to Washington, you can send them my way for an easier transition. I would be happy to help highlight the differences with the state coverage. Highlighting differences and explaining details are some main skillsets that I bring to every conversation that I have with a customer. Which makes sense if you think about it, since I have a studies background in accounting and I was also on the board of the finance committee for an HOA. Being in an HOA, as well as being a mom, I have seen many things over the years in my personal life outside of work, including loss that insurance can help stabilize. Each day, I help people like you understand the value of insurance and explain what the coverages mean. I enjoy the customer service side of things. I am good at coming up with different ideas/processes to be more efficient for customers so that they leave feeling more confident in their situation and comfortable with their insurance. If customers leave knowing that they are fully protected, that I helped them understand what the coverages mean, and that I could help others in their life just as I helped them, I know that I helped customers the way that I expect to be helped by a professional when I am a customer. Being that I am a hard worker who is detailed-driven, providing excellent customer service is always part of my daily routine. Doing whatever I can to make customers feel happy in their decisions and with our conversations is a goal to overcome with every person I talk to between when I start my day and when I complete it. Being selfless, playful, and studious are traits that probably keep me sane as a mom and insurance agent. That, and balancing life. When I am not on the clock, I like to do arts and crafts. Being a homebody and mother of three girls keeps me on my toes! It also allows me to be goofy a lot of the time, which I enjoy. While I am throwing random facts about me my favorite color is purple, and I love to bake. How about we chat and go over your insurance needs? I am ready!

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  Meagan Balke

  Customer Service Representative & Digital Marketing Specialist

  For someone who has a Creativity Beast that needs to be fed multiple times daily, you wouldn’t think that I would be an insurance agent, right? Yes, my creativity appetite is fed through creative writing, innovative storytelling, reading, crocheting, sewing, marketing, social media, photography, and any other crafts I can get my hands on…But, it is also fed by finding solutions to unique problems, finding ways to connect to people that I might not have gravitated to in everyday life, exploring solutions to save money so that people’s policies better meet their coverage needs and financial needs, uncovering new ways to tailor insurance to a person’s individual situation, and, of course, things like talking shop about the classic cars that people have! Speaking of talking shop, why would you like working with me and telling your friends and family about how I could help them too? Well, while I have been in the marketing field since 2010, my journey in insurance started in 2019 as a Marketing Manager for an insurance agency. I became licensed a few months after starting my job there so that I could better create website content, emails, handouts, blogs, and social media material to answer frequently asked questions, provide preventative measure resources, and have next steps readily available in case the inevitable happened so that people could better protect what matters most to them. Part of my job was about researching and finding the answers, while the other part was explaining those answers in a way that made sense. Here at the Agency, since May 2024, I’ve held onto a little of the insurance marketing that I have come to love whilst also growing and venturing out into insurance agent work. Working as a marketing agent has been very rewarding to say in a nutshell. Always needing to be doing something unique and innovative, I always enjoy learning something new. While I might teach you something about insurance, you’ll not find me surprised to learn something from you, like great mechanic jokes that customers have a knack for telling. My knack for helping others fuels my passion for creativity and vice versa. I’ve been writing a fantasy novel series to help sexual assault survivors since 2006, and hope to one day be a published novelist. Since middle school, I’ve regularly helped different local nonprofits through donating time, running drives, and chipping in on resources. That being said, during work hours I wanted my career to be creative and spontaneous as well. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my bachelor’s degree from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, majoring in Integrated Strategic Communication and minoring in Business Administration. Prior to WSU, I received my Written Arts and Sciences associate’s degree from Everett Community College where I graduated Magna Cum Laude and focused on journalism, creative writing, and marketing. I now look forward to focusing on the great people of this community so that they can get the coverage choices that they need to protect themselves, their family, and their life. Talk to you soon!

  Education:

  Link: Meagan Balke

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  Tracy Borreson

  Since 1992, I have worked in the insurance industry, primarily with this agency. when I joined the team in 2001. My commitment to this career stems from my continuous learning and adherence to my core values. Helping see that every customer interaction reflects integrity is of utmost importance to me. Over the years, I have gone from writing and servicing Washington state insurance policies as an insurance agent to becoming the team’s Operation Manager where I help mentor agents. The valuable experience I gained over the years as an insurance agent allows me to manage colleagues in a unique and fulfilling way. It is highly rewarding as a trainer and coach to witness their growth and development as they achieve their full potential. Outside of the office and customer service scene, I keep myself busy. Crocheting, sewing, and gardening are some favorite hobbies of mine. I am known as "The Chicken Lady," and love caring for my farm animals, including chickens, goats, dogs, and cats. My biggest joy comes from being a mom and grandma and sharing my hobbies with the grandkids. Having dedicated almost my entire career to this organization, I wholeheartedly support our team and the contributions we make to insurance in Washington State. We are committed to connecting with individuals in the community and making a meaningful impact with integrity. It is indeed rewarding to enjoy our work each day. Whether I am assisting a customer, teaching sewing skills to my grandchildren, mentoring colleagues, or tending to my garden, my focus remains on growth and connection in life areas. I invite you to engage with us and discover how we can be of assistance to your insurance needs!

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  Stephen Delligatti

  The dynamic and engaging collaborative environment is what brought me to the insurance industry in the first place in 2006. Helping people save money while having appropriate and reliable coverage is what I love about my job overall. However, what I truly enjoy is meeting and talking with new people. Daily life as an agent for me is creating and maintaining strong customer relationships and loyalty. Turning a “maybe,” or a “no,” into a “yes” is a challenge that I welcome each time doubt comes up in conversation. My love for overcoming challenges has grown more over the years, and that is saying something since before joining insurance I put in 30 years of customer service in the hotel industry. I was born and raised in Las Vegas after all, so being in that industry was as natural for me as one of my hobbies, like sailing, boating, scuba diving, college football, and spending time with family. I became a games dealer at age 18, and before leaving the business, I went as high as Director of Marketing and Player Development. A little after the turn of the century, I decided that being an Allstate agency owner would be more fun. Yes, more fun than being in the industry where people have fun playing games and winning money! The dynamic and engaging collaborative environment of the insurance industry is genuinely enjoyable for me, as is helping people save money while having appropriate and reliable coverage. Also, if you think about it, I help customers “win” money in a way. More recently in my insurance career, I decided that instead of owning my own Allstate Agency where I oversaw agents, I wanted to go back to my roots and be that people person again. Just like when I was a director who specialized in helping the team I oversaw with customer service, relationship building, team coaching, and training so that they could interact with the customers better, I wanted to be more active and work directly with customers again. Wanting to skip being the middleman, I became an insurance agent with this agency team in August 2024 where the customer service aspect is more how I like it. Being patient, reliable, and honest is what has gotten me through all these years in customer service type jobs. It is also what has made being a proud father and husband even more rewarding than I ever imagined it could be when I was younger and before I even started thinking of starting a family of my own. Being a family man, I understand the challenges presented to individuals and families when making important decisions. I understand that choosing home and auto insurance can be confusing, and I enjoy speaking with customers to discuss insurance that is affordable, reliable, and easy to understand. Being understood is key and impactful. I feel that a good insurance agent is beneficial not just to the customer but the entire community. Give me a call today and see how I can help with your coverage needs and the insurance needs of those in your life, whether it be friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, classmates. I am licensed to help you and those you know with the usual things like auto, home, umbrella, boats, etc., but I am also life insurance licensed and can help you with the next steps to secure your financial situation. I look forward to speaking with you!

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  Tyran Hulme

  Service & Retention Manager

  May 2023 might be when I joined the Agency team, but I have been in the insurance agency since 2020, and the way that I got my foot in the door was by first managing a sales team for 8 years. With a customer service background of more than 10 years before starting my insurance journey, being a claims liaison and customer service specialist in the insurance industry was an easy transition for me. I love having the opportunity to guide customers through the claim process on the phone and in-person at our Allstate Mount Vernon location. Helping answer frequently asked insurance questions is one of the things that I love about my job. After all, I take insurance very personally and I love helping see that customers are protected correctly. I believe that starts by helping them learn more about insurance and how it can help protect what they have worked hard for in various areas of their life. Great communication does not stop at insurance coverage breakdowns. It also means being there for someone after they went through a stressful ordeal like a claim. After a car crash, home loss, break-in, and the like, people feel like their personal space has been invaded, they are stressed about the cost to make themselves whole again, they have no idea where to start, and they don’t want to deal with more headache. If you and I were file a claim together, or talk about a recent claim, I can lend a listening ear, treat you as if you were my friend or family who called in after this life altering event, helping see communication with the claims department is smooth, helping see that you understand your coverage/how Allstate can take care of you, and answer any questions that you might have. If there is a question that I cannot answer, I can call you back after investigating, or I can direct you to who can answer that question for you. After all, if you are in Washington state, we are part of the same community, and I believe that with insurance, community is key. If the years of being an insurance agent and customer service specialist have taught me anything, it is that I can make a big community difference with my career. It all starts with simply being nice to people and then providing information and guidance to make it easier for everyone to get the insurance, understand the coverage, and be prepared for the inevitable. Speaking of making it easier, give me a call today and I would be happy to help you with your insurance questions, give you a free quote, explore insurance options, and do whatever I can to help you feel like dealing with your insurance needs today is easier than it has been in the past for you.

  Link: Tyran Hulme

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  Mike Segall

  Personal Financial Representative

  I consider it a privilege to help customers achieve their financial objectives. My experience in financial services began in 2006, when I served as Regional Vice President for a distribution group. Following that, I went on to become National Sales Director for a Research and Management group, before moving to Allstate in 2012. Working for an insurance carrier, moving to investment fund manager and completing my (CFP) certificate provided me with a solid foundation for making informed customer options. In my role as an Allstate Personal Financial Representative, I help customers with retirement , life insurance, investments, Long Term Care coverage and education funding. You can reach me through the Agency.

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  Dayana Melgar

  Licensed Insurance Professional

  In 2018, I started my insurance adventure, bringing with me over 15 years of experience providing customer service in English and Spanish. I was born and raised in Mexico, so I am fully bilingual. I am also on the verge of being fully trilingual, with the third language being Portuguese. When I joined the agency, Inc. in July 2024, I was excited to continue meeting many of Washington residents from many kinds of backgrounds, helping overcome language barriers that are still common even in today’s world. It’s important to me to able to help customers whose first language is not English. Insurance can be complicated even for the average person, so it is very rewarding for me to be able to inform customers on coverage choices in their language. Speaking of language, I also speak what I like to call “mom language.” Being a mom, being around special needs children, and doing nonprofit work has left me with fine-tuned skills for de-escalating stressful situations and helping people realize that they are being heard. Respectful, kind, and reserved are just a few words that come to mind when I am in my element. When it comes to being in my element outside of the office, hiking is a top choice for me. Being in nature is my type of atmosphere. I’m a nature lover, whether it be landscapes, mountains, trees, waterfalls, sunsets, wildlife—I take pictures of them all! I also enjoy spending quality time with my daughter and volunteering for the Seattle Aquarium, where since 2017 I have been able to get to GEEK OUT about salmon every year at Ballard Locks in the summer, and Cedar River in Renton and Maple Valley in the fall. My more Zen hobbies include being a sound meditation facilitator (since 2021) and being a practitioner of Wim Hoff breathwork method and cold-water plunging. Do you think that we have something in common or that you would like to work with me? I know that when I think of someone who I want to work with for necessities like insurance, I want it to be the type of professional that I’d want my daughter, mother, cousins, friends, and other loved ones to get when they call in for help. Being an insurance consumer myself, I know that it is important to be polite and efficient, whilst also prioritizing and actively listening to customers needs and showing reassurance and empathy. Whether you or someone you know speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese, I am ready to help! Give me a call at 360-428-6615.

  Certifications:

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  Rose Kirkman

  Licensed Insurance Professional

  This is not a cookie cutter world. Each customer will be treated like my own family. At the end of the day, I like to be able to honestly say that I tried my best to be of service to each person, family, and business. I strive to get to know customers so that I can offer the best possible options, help personalize their policy, and give them an overall great experience. Experience is the keyword to a happy customer, I believe. Whether you are talking about experiencing good customer service or getting a worker who is experienced in their field, a customer wants to know what you bring to the table. What you can do for them. Before I became an insurance agent in 2015, I worked in many different fields and many types of service to people including health care, emergency services, and customer service. I believe this helps me bring a unique position to the table—the ability to help many kinds of people with many different needs. If you were to call me, for example, I can write and/or service almost everything—from auto, renters, home, condo, manufactured homes, commercial insurance, flood, and earthquake insurance, to boat, motorcycles, and your other “toys.” Additionally, while I am life insurance licensed, I am not currently writing life insurance policies, but I still can bridge the conversation and get you in contact with my teammate who is actively writing the life insurance for our Allstate office. Before coming to Allstate, I would write my own life policies for customers. Allstate has allowed me to focus on other property and casualty insurances and has a Personal Financial Representative named Mike Segall in our office. Because we’re able to focus on the different fields, we can help you with much better options, in my opinion. Bridging conversations and doing what I can to help customers feel like their insurance experience is much better than it has been in the past is something that I do not hesitate to do. I know that I do not know everything. That is why if you ask me a question that I do not know the answer to, I’ll do some investigating and get back to you. That is also why if the time comes when someone else on my team can better help you, or I need to direct you to another outside department, I’ll make the transition smooth for you. After all, I love to help see people’s individual needs are met, and that I’m doing the best job possible for everyone involved. Being able to provide individuals with customized experience through the best company and employer I’ve ever had makes my job the best, in my opinion. Offering the perfect combination of protection choices and peace of mind for each customer makes me happy. I have been with the Agency since 2018, and I love that since joining I have been able to continue helping people. I have found over the years that insurance is the best way to do that. Peace of mind is the best gift to give to anyone, especially when it is about their lives and the things that they worked so hard for over the years. Speaking of life and building a home, I am a lot like you in my off time. I love to play with my dogs, and I enjoy evening walks with my husband and cooking together. (One of my past careers was actually a professional cook.) When I am not cooking up grub, you can believe that I am cooking up a fun time with something like motorcycle and dirt bike riding. I think that we should work hard, play hard. People don’t typically describe me as funny, adaptable, and loyal for nothing!

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  Dillon Walsh

  Customer Service Representative

  If a customer randomly asked me to “roll for perception” after I helped them with their insurance needs, I would probably give a chuckle but then answer the question like it was any other that they asked me earlier in our talk. While answering, I would like to be able to say that during our talk I discussed their insurance needs in a way that made them feel like they understand coverage better, that they can now navigate their coverages and help them better understand what is covered and not covered, and that I helped them highlight different opportunities for tailoring their policies to fit their coverage and financial needs. I want to be able to perceive that I was there for them the same way I would want at a time of need, and that I helped them beyond just the price of insurance. Why? Well, after my family experienced a loss, it opened my eyes to nuance of insurance coverages. Shortly after that, I started my insurance career in 2013, aiming to be an agent that I wished my family had during our loss. Learning firsthand the loss that we can experience in life, I try to come to work daily with the mindset that agents can be emphatic, sociable, and generous whilst also being law-abiding, professional, and educated. I’ve been at this agency since 2021, focusing on customer service, retention regarding hazard concerns, billing, and minor claims counseling. If we ever have a chance to talk, I can go over premium coverage service relative to your needs and go over your policies. Also, as briefly hinted at, answering questions is something that I enjoy. When I am off the clock, I enjoy other marvels like cooking and playing table-top games and board games. The aspects I enjoy are that no game ever plays the same, there are often collaborative efforts, and they involve both strategy and improvisation! On a related note, I believe that we should enjoy our jobs. So, give me a call if you would like to discuss a strategy for helping to protect your family and assets. I am ready to collaborate with you and see if we can improvise a game strategy to help improve your coverage and financial situation.

  Link: Dillon Walsh

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  Desiray Langdon

  Unlicensed Support Staff

  Let’s just say, I’m lucky to have a good neighbor! It’s hard to forget the outgoing firecracker next door, so I think Tracy naturally thought of me for the scheduling job when it opened up here at the agency. My insurance career started right then and there in 2023. Joining this agency was a new adventure that gave me the opportunity to put my skills to the test in another essential industry. Since 1995, I’ve been working in the same dental office where I began my dental career. At the dental office, I’ve had jobs ranging from assistant and receptionist to manager and dental technician. Working there and at this agency part-time has been an experience that keeps me challenged and engaged on conquering goals—I’m loving every minute of it! Insurance might not be an industry that I thought I would end up being a part of, but it is one that I enjoy. I love talking to customers and getting them on the calendar so that my team can go over their policies and see what changes would benefit them as a car owner, parent, homeowner, business owner—whatever they may be and whatever they may need to protect. My yard and house are my favorite hobbies. I’m always painting and remodeling rooms or getting dirty in the yard gardening and landscaping. With a little farm of 4 goats, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 kids (3 if you count my husband!), I have a cozy little chaotic home that helps keep me on my toes. I would not change it for the world. Many of you would not want to change yours for the world either. Being a mom, wife, and homeowner, I know the importance of protecting what you hold dear and all that you have worked so hard for over the years. That is why I love my job—I get to call people and schedule them for important insurance reviews where they get to talk to one of my teammates and go over their insurance policies, see if any coverage gaps exist, talk about coverage options, and go over insurance discount opportunities so that they can be more prepared for the inevitable. I look forward to talking with you and getting you on the calendar!