Our Team

Rod Higgins

Rod Higgins
President

rodh@higginsrutledge.com



Rod, a graduate of Boise State University, has been with Higgins & Rutledge since 1968 specializing in commercial accounts.  Since becoming President of Higgins & Rutledge in 1989, he has guided the company’s growth through acquisitions, aggressive commercial strategies, development of new accounts, and created a higher level of quality service for all Higgins & Rutledge customers.




Through the course of over 35 years in the business, Rod has held each of the following positions:

Associated General Contractors – Board of Directors
Independent Insurance Agents of Idaho – Past President
Surplus Lines Association of Idaho – Past President
Boise Insurance Agents Association – Past President
Region 1 National Association of Surety Bond Producers – Past President

As agency president, his approach is to analyze the concerns of his clients, making certain that solutions are achievable and workable. Rod is also very active in serving our local community.


Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson, CIC
Commercial Account Executive

gailj@higginsrutledge.com



Gail has earned his Certified Insurance Counselor designation and has been actively involved in the insurance industry since 1979.  He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Public Administration.  Gail’s extensive insurance background began with underwriting and marketing positions for several major insurance companies.  Gail joined Higgins & Rutledge Insurance in 1994.  His insurance knowledge and agency background has been a great value to our clients’ in negotiating insurance coverages and pricing.


Through the course of over 30 years in the business, Gail has held each of the following positions:

Boise Independent Insurance Agents – President
Commercial Lines – Producer
Surplus Line Association of Idaho – Director

Today, Gail is on several advisory councils for the companies Higgins & Rutledge represent and also in 1997, Idaho Insurance Underwriters Association awarded him with the Idaho Independent Insurance Agent of the Year.


Tracy Forsythe

Tracy Forsythe, CIC
Commercial Account Executive

tracyf@higginsrutledge.com



Tracy attended Idaho State University prior to her insurance career. She was first employed by an independent agency in Pocatello, Idaho and has been actively involved in the insurance industry since 1974.  She began her employment with Higgins & Rutledge Insurance in 1983.





Through the course of over 30 years in the business, Tracy has held each of the following positions:

Agency Accounting Manager
Agency Claims Manager
Personal Lines – Account Executive
Commercial Lines – Account Executive
Commercial Lines – Producer

Tracy has extensive knowledge in property and casualty insurance.  She is an active member of the Boise Association of Independent Insurance Agents and currently sits on their Board of Directors.  Tracy is also a past member of the Boise Chapter of BOMA International, Boise Insurance Women, and Bannock County Chapter of Civitan International.


Lynette Larango

Lynette Larango, CIC, CPIW
Personal Lines Account Executive

lynette@higginsrutledge.com



Lynette has earned her Certified Insurance Counselor’s Designation and has been actively involved in the insurance industry since 1982.  She began her work specializing in personal lines for a firm in Montana.  Lynette joined Higgins & Rutledge Insurance in 1996.





Through the course of over 24 years in the business, Lynette has held each of the following positions:

Personal Lines – Account Executive
Boise Association of Independent Insurance Agents – President
Southwest Montana Insurance Women – President

Along with her CIC designation, Lynette also holds the Certified Professional Insurance Woman and Certified Professional Service Representative designations.  In 1997, Oregon Mutual awarded her with the Underwriter’s Choice Award and in 1998 Safeco presented her with their Insurance Achievement Award.

Today, Lynette is on several advisory councils for the companies Higgins & Rutledge represent.


Greg Swenson

Greg Swenson
Commercial Account Executive

gregs@higginsrutledge.com



In the fall of 2004, while completing his Bachelors Degree in Business Marketing at BSU, Greg worked as an intern here at Higgins & Rutledge Insurance through the Boise State Internship program.  While at BSU Greg was a member of the infamous football team from 1999–2003.  After graduating in 2005, Greg joined Higgins & Rutledge Insurance as an Account Executive.




Greg has also attended and completed the following:

Cincinnati Producer School – 2005
Unigard Producer School – 2005
School for the National Association of Surety Bond Producers – 2006

Greg has attended numerous Insurance Company sponsored educational seminars and is currently working towards receiving the Certified Insurance Counselors designation.


Martin White

Martin White
Employee Benefits Account Executive

martinw@higginsrutledge.com



Martin has over 15 years of industry experience and has actively been involved in the Idaho marketplace since 2004. Prior to joining Higgins & Rutledge Insurance, Martin held positions with a major Northwest Health Insurance carrier and managed the Idaho office for a national consulting firm.  Martin's knowledge and understanding of the health insurance industry has been a tremendous asset for our customers and their employees.



Currently Martin is a member of the following:

Idaho Association of Health Underwriters
National Association of Health Underwriters 

Martin has extensive knowledge in the Employee Benefits marketplace including self-funded and fully insured plans for both large and small employers. In addition, Martin works with individuals and business owners on their personal health and life coverage's. Our goal is to provide exceptional service and support to all of our clients. We listen carefully and work hard to design a plan that meets your cost and coverage objectives!


Commercial Lines CSR's:

Andrea Hartley - andreah@higginsrutledge.com
Cynthia Jesser - cynthiaj@higginsrutledge.com
Janet Elam - janete@higginsrutledge.com
Kearsten McCall - kearstenm@higginsrutledge.com
Lara Kwiatkowski - larak@higginsrutledge.com
Tia Chambers - tiac@higginsrutledge.com
Vanessa Cirelli - vanessac@higginsrutledge.com

Bonds:

Staci Jayo - stacij@higginsrutledge.com

Claims Account Executive:

Pam Lawson - paml@higginrutledge.com

Marketing Executive:

Trina Higgins - trinah@higginsrutledge.com

Agency Manager:

Kandi Heinz - kandi@higginsrutledge.com

Personal Lines CSR's:

Jakel Strickler - jakels@higginsrutledge.com
Karla Zacher - karlaz@higginsrutledge.com

Life & Health CSR's:

Janelle Lalum - janellel@higginsrutledge.com
Stacey Ziemann - staceyz@higginsrutledge.com

Agency Trainer:

Connie Thompson - conniet@higginsrutledge.com

Accounting Manager:

Terry Austin - terrya@higginsrutledge.com

IT Manager:

Andrew Foster - andrewf@higginsrutledge.com

Administrative Staff:

Ann Cochrane - annc@higginsrutledge.com