Our Team

Benson Latham

Benson Latham has served as our EVP, Head of Crop since October 2024. Mr. Latham most recently served as Senior VP of Strategic Accounts at Great American’s Crop division and previously held leadership roles at Crop Risk Services, Validus, Longhorn Re (founder), and ProAg. Mr. Latham earned a B.A. in Government Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Robert Gideon

Robert Gideon has served as Executive Vice President since April 2025. Mr. Gideon brings over 35 years of experience in the crop insurance industry, most recently serving as President of Advanced AgProtection, where his focus was on software and service.  Mr. Gideon earned a degree in Computer Science from Texas State Technical Institute in Amarillo, Texas.  

Jay Rushing

Jay Rushing brings over 29 years of experience in the crop insurance industry. Mr. Rushing previously held varied leadership roles at Crop Risk Services and ARMtech. Mr. Rushing earned a bachelor’s in mathematics and history from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. 

Danny Flynn

Danny Flynn serves as SVP, Livestock & Strategic Accounts bringing a lifetime of farming and agriculture to Palomar. Danny attended Hutchinson Community College before entering the Kansas University Law Enforcement Academy and starting his career in law enforcement. Danny also served as a General Manager for Chevrolet, and both a Crop Insurance Agent and Director of Business Development for Team Marketing Alliance before joining Diversified Services Agency as a General Manager. Danny is originally from Partridge, Kansas, and now resides in Buhler, Kansas, with his wife of 40 years, Brenda, and near his two grown children and six grandchildren.  Danny is a Life Saving Award recipient and a proud member CIPA (Crop Insurance Professional Association) Member. 

Lisa Hall

Lisa Hall brings over 3 years of experience in the crop insurance industry. Her journey started with the inception of Advanced AgProtection in 2022. Prior to her current role as VP of Crop Finance at Palomar, Ms. Hall served in the dairy industry and spent nine years as a contractor for the Department of Energy. Ms. Hall received a BBA in Accounting from West Texas A&M University and an MBA from Wayland Baptist University. 

Jonathan Scheets

Jon Scheets has served as Senior Vice President of the crop division since December of 2024.   Prior to this he served within several leadership roles within Crop Risk Services for 20 years.   Mr. Scheets earned his B.A. in Production Agriculture from Illinois State University.   

Travis Trueblood

Travis Trueblood brings over 13 years of experience in the crop insurance industry. Prior to his current role as AVP of Business Development at Palomar, Mr. Trueblood held varied insurance roles at esteemed companies such as Crop Risk Services and Hudson Crop Insurance. Mr. Trueblood received both a BS in Business Management and an MBA from Western Governors University. 

Marcus Bailey

Marcus Bailey is the Assistant Vice President of Business Development at Palomar, joining the company in February 2025. Mr. Bailey began his crop insurance career in 2017 as a Territory Sales Manager with Crop Risk Services, later advancing to a Regional Manager position. Most recently Mr. Bailey worked at Hudson Crop Insurance as a Regional Sales Manager. Early in his career, Marcus worked in animal agriculture. He earned his B.S. Degree in Agricultural Economics from Arkansas Tech University. 

Liz Bair

Liz Bair has served as our AVP of Sales Support since August 2025, bringing over 15 years of experience in the crop insurance industry.  Prior to this roll, she served as Business Development Director at Great American Insurance Company, previously at Crop Risk Services.  Liz began her career in crop insurance on the agency side in 2010.  She holds a degree in Business Management and is known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional service to agents and clients alike.   

Beth Bjerke

Beth Bjerke has served as Palomar’s National Training Manager since June 2025, bringing more than 27 years of crop insurance expertise. Prior to joining Palomar, she worked with other insurance providers in Underwriting, Sales, and Agent Education, with a consistent career-long focus on training and education for agents, adjusters, and employees. Beth has served on multiple industry committees and holds a degree in Marketing and Management. She is recognized as a policy and procedure subject matter expert and is a trusted resource for both colleagues and our agent partners. 

Ryan Bauer

Ryan Bauer brings over 25 years of experience in the crop insurance industry. Prior to his current role as VP of National Claims at Palomar, Mr. Bauer served at esteemed companies such as Fireman’s Fund, Great American, Heartland, and Crop Risk Services. Mr. Bauer received a BS in Education from South Dakota State University. 

Jason Sauer

Jason Sauer has served as the Assistant Vice President, Southern Region, since April 2025. He brings over 15 years of experience in the crop insurance industry, with a strong track record of leadership in claims operations and risk management. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sauer was the National Claims Manager for Advanced AgProtection from July 2023 to April 2025. His career also includes key leadership positions at Agri Sompo, ProAg, and Rural Community Insurance Services.  

Before entering the crop insurance industry, Mr. Sauer served honorably in the United States Army for eight years, where he developed the leadership and discipline that continue to shape his professional approach. 

Travis Krinkie

Travis Krinkie brings over 16 years of experience in the crop insurance industry. Prior to his current role as a Claims Sr. Manager at Palomar, Mr. Krinkie served at Crop Risk Services for 15 years and one year at Great American. Mr. Krinkie studied Biology and Geography at Minnesota State University. 

Kasey Grooms

Kasey Grooms has served as our Senior Claims Manager since January 2025. Mrs. Grooms most recently served as Area Vice President, Claims for NAU Country from August 2023 to January 2025 and previously held various roles at Crop Risk Services since 2006. Prior to that, Mrs. Grooms earned her degree in Agriculture Business and Supply from Lake Land College.