Meet the Team

Rob Ames

President Charleston, IL Contact Rob Ames NMLS# View Bio for Rob Ames

Rob Ames

President
NMLS#

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Matthew E. Allen

Agent Statewide Contact Matthew E. Allen NMLS# View Bio for Matthew E. Allen

Matthew E. Allen

Agent
NMLS#

An Agribusiness graduate of the U of I and a native of Delavan, IL; Matt has been an ag lender for over 15 years and a licensed crop insurance agent for over 10 years. Outside of banking, he also operates a small grain and livestock farm with the help of his family. Managing his own farming operation provides him with the experience necessary to relate to his clients.

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John DeFreitas

Agent Jacksonville, Lewistown & Surrounding Communities Contact John DeFreitas NMLS# 898348 View Bio for John DeFreitas

John DeFreitas

Agent
NMLS# 898348

John is an experienced banking professional with a career spanning over two decades. Having entered the industry in 2001, he has gained valuable expertise in various roles, including Teller, Banker, branch manager, treasury management officer, and commercial lender. In 2019, John graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, he currently resides in Jacksonville, Illinois, since 2018. Beyond his banking pursuits, John cherishes quality time with his wife, two sons, and two dogs, in activities like camping and boating.

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Matthew Dill

Agent Virden, Girard, & Surrounding Communities Contact Matthew Dill NMLS# View Bio for Matthew Dill

Matthew Dill

Agent
NMLS#

I joined the APIS team as an agent in November of 2020, but have worked in-directly with APIS since 2013. I’ve been in the crop insurance industry since 2011 and have held positions in adjusting, regional compliance, and now serve my clients as an agent under APIS. With my degree in Agribusiness, I truly enjoy the people, our customers. Each grower has their own story and their own individual needs. No two operations are the same.

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Matt Ehlers

Agent Kansas Contact Matt Ehlers NMLS# View Bio for Matt Ehlers

Matt Ehlers

Agent
NMLS#

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Kyle Pflum

Agent Mt. Zion, Decatur, & Surrounding Areas Contact Kyle Pflum NMLS# View Bio for Kyle Pflum

Kyle Pflum

Agent
NMLS#

Kyle grew up on a farm in Cerro Gordo Illinois. Kyle has over 19 years of banking experience. When he is not out in the field or helping customers he enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years and their 3 children. His kids between 15 years old and 5 years old keep him and his wife going to various sporting events and other activities. When Kyle has some down time, he still enjoys spending time with his Dad helping on the farm.

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Rob Shaffer

Agent El Paso & surrounding communities Contact Rob Shaffer NMLS# View Bio for Rob Shaffer

Rob Shaffer

Agent
NMLS#

Rob graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in agriculture business and animal science. He is a fourth-generation soybean, corn and Angus cattle farmer, along with his brother Emory. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Bobby and Jacob. He is a Director on the American Soybean Association Board, A Director on the Roanoke Farmers Association Board, and also serves a 2nd Vice Chair of the Clean Fuels Alliance America Board.

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Sara Ervin

Crop Insurance Assistant Charleston, IL Contact Sara Ervin NMLS# View Bio for Sara Ervin

Sara Ervin

Crop Insurance Assistant
NMLS#

A licensed agent since 2013, Sara has been a member of the American Prairie Insurance Solutions Team for almost 15 years. Born and raised in Mattoon, IL, Sara attended the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana where she graduated with a degree in Agriculture Communications. Her love of working with families extends to Sara’s home life and hobbies, gardening and raising hogs on her small family farm where she also enjoys cooking and making things from scratch.

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Elaine Kestner

Agency Support Administrator Charleston, IL Contact Elaine Kestner NMLS# View Bio for Elaine Kestner

Elaine Kestner

Agency Support Administrator
NMLS#

Elaine has been in Crop Insurance since 2001, serving as an Agent from 2001-2010. She then spent 2010-2021 working on the AIP side of things as a Crop Insurance Underwriter. In 2021 she went back to the Agency side with American Prairie Insurance Solutions based out of the Camp Point area and she is thrilled to be part of the team. Elaine and her husband have six kids and eight grandkids and enjoy spending time with all of them and camping.

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Who We Are

Meet the Team

Rob Ames

Matthew E. Allen

John DeFreitas

Matthew Dill

Matt Ehlers

Kyle Pflum

Rob Shaffer

Sara Ervin

Elaine Kestner