Meet the Bowerman Insurance Team

From our Steele home agency to our Gateway office in Bismarck, you’ll find local, licensed insurance agents who know North Dakota life; and the coverage it takes to keep it running. Since 1989, Bowerman Insurance has mixed small-town service with big-carrier choice, comparing options and explaining them in plain language for your insurance needs.

Bob (Robert) Bowerman started in the agency in February 1989, when it was purchased through the Art Kirschenmann Agency. Bob started with the property and casualty insurance business and a few years later received his life and health license. Bob manages the crop insurance business, which he knows quite well since he has farmed all of his life. He has owned his own farm since 1977 and in early 2000 he purchased his uncle’s farm.   Bob actually purchased his crop insurance policies through Art Kirschenmann, the original owner of the agency.

Bob has been a member of the North Dakota Professional Insurance Association and has served on the board of directors on the NDPIA and belongs to the Independent Insurance Agents of ND also.  Bob sees great rewards in seeing his customers with the best coverage available towards protecting their financial interest in a time of need.

Bob is still farming NE of Steele but travels between the farm and Bismarck (where they also live). They have a daughter who lives in Jamestown with her husband and their 3 children, and 2 other grandchildren live in Bismarck with their mother. Bob loves to farm, drivehis pickups along loves his pulling truck and classic cars!  He also likes to golf, visit and do some hunting.

LaDonna began working in the agency in 1993 along with her husband Bob and Marlys White (who had been with the previous owner Art Kirchenman).  She became a fully licensed agent soon after starting. She works in all the areas of insurance including bookwork for both agencies, with the help of MaryJane Nipstad (Nipstad Management Solutions). LaDonna earned the AFIS (Agriculture & Farm Insurance Specialist) designation for farm & agricultural risks and the CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent) designation.

LaDonna works mainly behind the scenes whether it’s the actual insurance business or the books, advertising, etc!  The agency belongs to the PIA of ND and IIA of ND to keep everyone in the office well informed of all areas of the insurance industry!

LaDonna and Bob are on the road!  They travel to watch their grandchildren in all their activities!  From Minneapolis to Bismarck and beyond!  They have 2 grandchildren who live in Bismarck with their mother and their daughter Brietta lives in Jamestown with her husband and their three children. They just love being grandparents!

LaDonna enjoys her grandchildren, shopping, traveling, and visiting with her friends, she also enjoys swimming and walking!

Bob and LaDonna feel very fortunate to have the people in their two offices to work with! They have taken on the responsibility of becoming licensed insurance agents, taking classes to further their knowledge, and helping the customers with what they’ve learned through the years!  They are very hard-working and honest people, and they give the best customer service! 

Josh Hackman started in our agency in March of 2018. He became a Property and Casualty Licensed Agent and now he has learned the insurance business quite well.

Josh attended college for telecommunications where he began a career in technology. He then worked for BEK Communications in the IT Department for several years prior to joining our agency.

Having the technology and farming background, Josh is very knowledgeable in the crop industry, especially since technology is becoming very important today in Agriculture. Josh has used his background in helping our customers with these important aspects of the insurance industry! 

Josh also works with Melissa and Rebecca in the personal lines side of the agency as well.

Josh lives with his daughter, Adeline and is farming his grandparents' land north of Robinson along with his dad, Bob Hackman and loves the farm life. He has stated he is even closer to his passion of farming. Some of Josh's hobbies include taking trips, snowmobiling and fishing.

Melissa Binder walked into our agency one evening in early 2015 to apply for an opening our agency had and started working in our agency in February of 2015 as a CSR, she quickly became a Licensed Property and Casualty Agent. Melissa has learned the insurance business very well and helps in all areas of the agency. Melissa enjoys helping customers and working with their specific needs.

Melissa worked in the banking industry in Bismarck and in Steele prior to starting in our agency. She is now using those skills to help with the accounting side of our agency.

Melissa and her husband, Jared grew up in Steele and have lived here most of their lives. They have two children, Teanna and Blake. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, and hunting.

April started in the summer of 2019 and obtained her Property & Casualty License shortly afterwards. April works mainly with Bob and Josh in the crop insurance business but also works with Melissa and Rebecca on the P & C side of the agency as well. April enjoys working with all the customers, helping them with their insurance needs.

April grew up in Tappen, ND and after high school completed her Associate in Science Degree at Bismarck State College. During college she started working at First Community Credit Union (FCCU) and worked there for 12 ½ years. She started as a teller, then transferred to Steele and from there became a consumer loan officer and then the Branch Manager and Ag/Commercial loan officer.

April lives near Steele, ND with her husband Perry and their 3 kids, Teedyn, Saige, and Willow. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, and scrapbooking.

Rebecca began working in September of 2021 and soon became a P & C Licensed Agent in ND. She then proceeded to become licensed in SD, MN and AZ! She works in all lines of the insurance business helping customers obtain the best insurance coverage for their needs. She has also taken the classes and tests needed to obtain her ND Life & Health License! She is excited to help people with their life and health insurance needs too!

Prior to Rebecca's employment at Bowerman Insurance, she worked as a manager of a truck stop for 15 years in Bismarck, then did a complete 180 and decided to work at a medical supply store before she joined the insurance business.

Rebecca was born and raised in Bismarck ND but moved to Steele after she met her husband as he wanted to stay close to his 2 older children Zach & Alyssa. Rebecca and her husband have two sons, Jaxson, and Bryson. Both of their kids love the outdoors and love to go camping, hunting, fishing and hanging out with friends.