Meet Our Experts
The only thing interesting about Insurance is the people!
Cranbrook Offices
27-10 Ave South Cranbrook, BC, 250-489-3221,1-866-489-3221
302-535 Victoria Ave North, Cranbrook 250-426-6321
Fernie Office
512-2nd Avenue, Fernie 250-423-6851, 1-866-423-6851
Invermere Office
1225-7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-8604, 1-866-342-8604
Alton
Originally born and raised in New Zealand, Alton moved to Canada in 2000. He subsequently spent 5 years managing a floriculture greenhouse operation in the Lower Mainland of BC after experiences living and working in The Netherlands and specializing in the orchid industry.
After being married in 2004, Alton started a successful real estate investment and property management business in Alberta and subsequently moved to Edmonton in 2005.
After switching careers, Alton transitioned into the financial and life insurance industry building a business which, after a while developed the passion about the insurance industry. After a stint with a major Canadian insurance and banking firm, he decided that his true passion lay with working in a brokerage office initially in Edmonton.
With having studied both the Alberta General Licenses and the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation, Alton and his wife Brenda proposed to move to a smaller community to raise their new family.
They decided Cranbrook offered a lifestyle that due to the amazing recreational opportunities, climate and amenities that the city has (along with surrounding communities) provided an opportunity which was second to none; additionally with the chance to truly develop ties in the community with a local insurance brokerage office.
After recently moving to Cranbrook, Alton is excited to introduce himself to the surrounding district and build long term relationships to serve his clients well.
Alton is a Commercial broker/producer at East Kootenay Realty.& Insurance and travels the East Kootenay region serving clients with their business and commercial insurance needs.
E-mail Alton
Annette
Annette began her insurance career over 20 years ago when she joined the claims department of ICBC. Since that time she has worked in sales and management until joining the personal lines department of East Kootenay Realty in 2009. She currently holds a level 1 license and hopes to complete her level 2 licensing by 2012.
Annette enjoys the variety and challenges that insurance brings but her focus remains on you, the customer.
Avery
Located in our Victoria Center office, Avery has been licensed since 2008 and is a mother of 5. Born and raised in Cranbrook Avery is proud to have been a part of the East Kootenay Realty Insurance team since November of 2009. Family is top priority for this young mom and they love sight-seeing, hiking, going to the park and baking.
Bonnie
Located in the Victoria Center office, Bonnie has sixteen years experience in the Insurance industry.
The majority of her insurance career has been involved in providing sales and service for all areas of personal lines. Bonnie spent time as a district trainer and an auto claims adjuster and feels that it provided her with invaluable alternative perspectives to the insurance industry.
In 2006, Bonnie and her husband realized a long-time dream and relocated to the Kootenays, "The most beautiful place on earth". They have thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful southern BC weather and all of the outdoor activities and relaxed lifestyle that the Kootenays have to offer. They are thrilled to now call Cranbrook home.
If you have not already met Bonnie, stop by our Victoria center location for all of your insurance needs!
Brett
Brett works out of our Victoria Center location and is part of our Road Service team. She has her level 1 General Insurance license and has been with EKR for 1 1/2 years.
Brett grew up in Marysville and moved to Cranbrook two years ago with her husband. She loves the outdoors hiking, hunting, fishing camping and shooting her bow! Yes, you read that right! Anything that begins with adventure, Brett is willing to try. Brett has 2 dogs, Daisy and Bo and a cat named trigger.
For any questions you may have about insurance, Brett would love to answer them.
Candace
Candace works at our Victoria center office and is in her first year in the Insurance industry. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, is a mother of three and enjoys being out in nature. Curling is one of her favourite sports to play and watch and being from Arkansas, football takes over her Sunday's in the fall. Candace met her husband and moved to Cranbrook in 2002 where she immediately felt at home.
Cheryl
Cheryl has over 30 years in the insurance industry in Alberta, and thoroughly enjoys meeting new people and discussing their insurance needs. She has joined our ICBC team and looks forward to assisting our customers with their auto and travel medical insurance needs.
Born and raised in Southern Alberta, she moved here to be closer to the beautiful mountains and great recreation in this area. When not at work she can be found enjoying the wonderful trails and campgrounds. She also will be travelling back to Alberta to visit her new grandson
Dawn
Dawn works in our Business/Commercial Lines department in the main office in Cranbrook.
Dawn has her CAIB designation and Level 2 Insurance license. She started in insurance in 1997 in Terrace BC. Her family made the move to the Kootenays in the summer of 2010 and they are enjoying exploring the area and the sunshine!
Email Delaine
Email Dwayne
Falenne
Falenne, the newest member of our Fernie office, came to us in July 2011 from Regina, SK. Falenne and her husband have a 3 year old daughter who keeps them both very busy. An active and avid outdoor family, they have definitely come to the right area. With a background in Title insurance, Falenne is finding Personal Lines and ICBC Insurance very interesting and is looking forward to meeting and helping our clients.
Jacqueline
New to Insurance, Jacqueline has been in the Fernie office since October 2010. She has been in the Elk Valley for just over one year and loves it. Jacqueline and her husband have three wonderful children, who keep them both very busy. As a family they enjoy fishing, hiking and being outdoors, and the Elk Valley has all that to offer and more.
Jenn C
At our main office downtown Cranbrook, you will find many Jennifer’s. This one in particular has been selling auto and travel insurance for almost a year now, as well as lending her creative skills and expertise to various marketing ads, brochures, and more for the office.
When Jenn is not working, she is usually enjoying the outdoors with activities such as quading, hiking, camping, skating, and playing disc golf, and will most likely have a camera in hand.
Jennifer L F
Jennifer has been in the Insurance industry for 4 years. She, her husband and two children relocated to Cranbrook 3 years ago from Vancouver. She has been with East Kootenay Realty Insurance for a year now.
Jennifer currently works in our ICBC department and leads our Road Running team. Jennifer’s passion is her family and being a mom, she loves spending her free time camping and outdoors. Jennifer looks forward to helping you with any of your insurance needs.
Jen F
Jennifer works as a Commercial Insurance processor in our Cranbrook main office. She has been with the company for a year and plans on being here for many more to come! Jennifer likes to spend the summer outdoors camping, playing ball, and spending time with her 3 wonderful children and her family. She also volunteers her time as a chaperone with the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band which allows her to travel to many fabulous locations in the area.
Jen I
Jennifer is a Level 2 General Insurance Agent working in the Personal Lines department in our Main office in Cranbrook. She has worked in the Insurance industry for 11 years and the favorite part of her job is her clients.
Jennifer has lived in the Kootenays forever and in her spare time enjoys fly fishing and camping with her husband and 2 little girls.
Jennifer invites you to come see her today, she would love to answer any questions you may have regarding your Home insurance needs!
Laura
Laura is originally from the lower mainland and worked in insurance in a privately owned agency for twelve years. She has her CAIB level two and does ICBC, Home Insurance, Travel Insurance and previously,Vital Statistics.
Laura moved to Cranbrook in 2002. After a break from insurance, she joined East Kootenay Realty Insurance in October 2008. She is now in our Personal Lines Department.
Laurie A
Laurie, the office manager of our Fernie branch has just celebrated her 10 year Anniversary with our company. A grandmother of one, soon to be two, Laurie enjoys spending as much time as possible with her grandchild. Originally from Alberta, Laurie has been a resident of the East Kootenays for roughly 20 years. Besides her time spent with family, she also enjoys the outdoors and loves the snow.
Laurie B
Laurie works in our main office downtown Cranbrook as an ICBC/Travel Medical Insurance expert and has been with EKR Insurance for the past two years. Her favorite part of the job is getting to know and helping our customers, that is what makes insurance fun!
Laurie has been in Cranbrook for 7 years and loves to golf, garden and spend time with friends.
Laurie S
Laurie works in the Cranbrook main office as an Office Administrator. She looks after HR, Marketing/Advertising and any other office duties as they come up!
Laurie moved back to the Kootenays after being in Calgary for the past 25 years. Tired of city life, she is happy to be back and enjoying a quieter lifestyle golfing, hiking and getting reaquainted with the area.
Linda
Linda works in our Cranbrook main office doing secretarial and accounting duties. Linda was born and raised in Cranbrook and lived in this beautiful area all of her life. She has been working in the insurance industry for the past 17 years.
Lindas interests are camping, skiing, golf, hiking, or just hanging out with family and friends.
Lisa
Lisa currently works in our ICBC department and is part of our Road Service team. She was born and raised in Cranbrook and has been in the insurance industry for 3 years. Lisa currently holds a level 1 General Insurance licence and looks forward to helping you with your auto and travel medical insurance needs.
Marcie
Marcie works in the Cranbrook main office doing ICBC transactions, inventory, batching and has recently started helping with interprovincial trucking fleets.She started working in Insurance in 1995, spending the first 5 years doing road service, then taking some time off to raise her family.
On her days off, Marcie keeps busy with her kids and their various sports activities. She also enjoys horseback riding, skiing and most of all spending time with her family.
Michelle
Michelle, from our Fernie office came to us in December 2008. Already having worked as an Insurance Agent in Alberta, she fit right in here with her extensive knowledge in both Commercial and Personal Lines. Michelle enjoys camping, fishing, being outdoors and spending time with her three beautiful daughters
Nancy
Nancy works at the Cranbrook main office downtown as the supervisor in our ICBC/Travel Medical department and also trains new team members.
Nancy has been with EKR Insurance for 21 years! Wow, she must really like this place!.
What Nancy loves the most about her job is YOU - the customer! Every time our door opens, it is a new experience, a new story. Customer service means everything to her and you will always find her willing to do her best to solve any Insurance mysteries big or small.
When Nancy is not at work you can find her at the lake or on the golf course and she is a proud supporter of our Kootenay Ice hockey team!
Rose Marie
Rose Marie has worked in our Invermere office since we first opened in 1998. She has been working in the insurance industry for the past 25 years. Rose Marie can help you with your home, auto and travel medical insurance needs.
Rose Marie’s interests include camping, gardening, and her 3 grown children and their families including 6 grandchildren.
Teresa
Teresa, a long time Fernie resident, has been with our company since May 2003. A mother to three grown children, Teresa enjoys quilting, and spending time with her family. A familiar face to the long time Fernie residents, she is a wealth of information when it comes to all your travel and auto insurance needs.
Wendy
Wendy is an Insurance Agent Level 2 and has been in the insurance industry since 1979, starting off as a bookkeeper but branching out to all areas of General Insurance.
Her favourite area of insurance is with Interprovincial Trucking Fleets. Wendy enjoys the challenges that present themselves to get the driver licensed and insured so he or she can “Keep on Trucking”.
Wendy also works with general ICBC transactions, Fleets, Garage Policies and Special Coverages. Commercial Lines in respect to the trucking industry requires that she have some involvement with Liability and Cargo Insurance.
Her other main “hat” is with Personal Lines – house, condo, tenant, mobile home or hobby farm.
Wendy's hobbies include all types of crafts, but mainly sewing. She trys to participate in Christmas Craft Fairs when she can and enjoys sharing her hobbies with customers. She is always looking for something new to make and trys to recycle materials into her crafts as much as possible.