Top Row L-R: Matt Harford, Abel Castor, Jeremy Weaks, Steve Carroll, Ben Leezer, Collin Dooley
Bottom Row L-R: Linda Olson, Katie Smull, Jackie Rakers, Beth Wingerter
2025 - 2026 Board of Directors
All officers and directors are elected at the association's annual meeting.
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Jeremy Weaks
Chair
815-537-2251
After graduating from the University of Dubuque, Jeremy began his career with Wells Fargo Financial before moving to Federated Insurance, where he gained valuable experience in the insurance industry and advanced to a captive agent position serving the Dubuque, Iowa, area. In 2012, he joined Prophetstown Mutual as an adjuster, later stepping into the roles of manager and eventually secretary/treasurer.
An active member of IAMIC for many years, Jeremy has been a familiar presence at seminars and served on the Education Committee, ultimately chairing the group. His leadership in coordinating classes and speakers during a critical time for industry education earned him the Volunteer of the Year Award at the 143rd Convention in 2024. Jeremy and his wife, Darcy, live in Fulton with their two children, Barret (9) and Blaire (6). Outside of work, he enjoys football, boating, and golfing with friends.
Katie Smull
Chair - Elect
815-938-2273
Katie has been part of Forreston Mutual for the past four years and currently serves as the Director of Operations. She began her career in the insurance industry after completing business courses at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL. Her professional background includes roles with Geico as a customer service representative, as well as positions with State Farm and Allstate, giving her a strong foundation of experience before joining Forreston Mutual.
A proud mother of three—Drake, Kylee, and Skylar—Katie celebrated becoming a grandmother in 2024 with the arrival of her granddaughter, Grace. She and her husband, Bill, make their home in Pecatonica, IL. Outside of work, Katie enjoys golfing, hiking, and spending time on the water with family and friends.
Ben Leezer
Past Chair
309-286-2221
Ben launched his career in the insurance industry in 2011, gaining experience with Leezer Agency and Elmira Mutual. Combining his insurance expertise with a background in real estate, he also specializes in selling farmland. After 11 years with Elmira Mutual in Toulon, IL, Ben now serves on the Board of Directors at LaPrairie Mutual and has actively contributed to multiple IAMIC committees over the years.
Ben lives in Toulon, IL, with his wife, Emily, and their two children, Charlotte, 15, and Archer, 3. When he’s not working, Ben can be found fishing, camping, or hunting—making the most of the great outdoors with his family.
Linda Olson
Secretary/Treasurer
815-239-1296
Linda is currently the Town & Country Mutual manager using her several years of industry experience to help her lead the company. She started as a CSR for a local agency and then was hired as the Underwriter. From there she was hired as manager at the same mutual. After taking a break from the industry to care for her son, Linda worked on Special Projects for a few years, after which, she was hired at Town & Country.
Linda has been involved with the industry on a state and national level, participating in several committees including being the Education Chair for IAMIC. Her involvement has earned her several recognitions including, the NAMIC Merit Society Award in 2007, IAMIC Volunteer of the Year in 2008, and more.
When Linda has free time, she enjoys taking day trips with her husband, Craig, and looking for local places to go antiquing. She and her husband make their home in Pecatonica and share three sons - Craig, 41, Eric, 39, and David 38.
Elizabeth Wingerter
Director
618-965-3477
Beth began her insurance career in 2010 after working in sales, joining Randolph Mutual in 2013 as a data processor. She was promoted to Underwriter in 2015, the same year Randolph Mutual received the Company Achievement Award at the IAMIC Convention. Dedicated to advancing her knowledge, Beth earned her PFMM designation in 2016 while attending the NAMIC Convention in Denver. That same year, she became a member of the Education Committee and has remained an active contributor ever since.
Raised in Chester, IL, by her parents, Don and Jerry, Beth grew up in a large family with four brothers and four sisters. She is a proud aunt and great-aunt to an impressive 47 nieces and nephews. Over the years, she has shared her love of volleyball by coaching both grade school and high school teams. In her spare time, Beth enjoys being with family and friends, always cherishing the connections that mean the most to her.
Steve Carroll
Director
217-732-8222
Steve began his career in the insurance industry straight out of high school, starting as an Underwriter and Claims Adjuster with Mt. Carroll Mutual. He currently serves as Operations Manager at Frontier–Mt. Carroll Mutual, where he has spent a combined 16 years throughout his career. An engaged member of IAMIC, Steve has served on the Education Committee and has shared his knowledge by presenting on a variety of topics at numerous IAMIC events.
Steve and his wife, Brooke, have been married for over 15 years and live in Lanark. They are the proud parents of two children: Haley, 22, and Wyatt, 16. Outside of work, Steve enjoys following his favorite sports teams and spending quality time with family and friends.
Abel Castor
Director
309-372-4227
Abel was raised on a farm in the small town of Aledo, IL, where his love for agriculture began. He pursued that passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Iowa State University in 2014. In 2016, Abel shifted his career path and joined Hamlet Mutual as an insurance agent, later advancing to Assistant Secretary/Treasurer in 2021. Over the years, he has held several positions in the insurance industry, drawing on that experience to serve his mutual and the association.
He continues to call Aledo home, where he lives with his wife, Maggie, and their five-year-old son, Noah. Abel and his family enjoy camping and embracing the beauty of the outdoors, and he also enjoys golfing with friends whenever he can.
Collin Dooley
Director
217-357-3961
Collin Dooley serves as an Accountant at Western Illinois Mutual Insurance Company, where he has worked since 2022 after returning to his hometown area of Hancock County. A graduate of Illinois College with a degree in Accounting and Finance, Collin began his career at Prairie State Bank & Trust, working alongside the company’s CFO. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In addition to his role at Western Illinois Mutual, Collin has been active with IAMIC through its convention committee, golf outings, sporting clays events, and various training seminars. He also earned his PFMM designation (now MIP) from NAMIC in 2024.
A native of Sutter/Warsaw, Illinois, Collin enjoys spending time outdoors fishing and hunting with his family, as well as golfing and participating in fantasy football with friends. At home, he and his wife, Casey, keep busy raising their young daughter, Carson, and their cat, Jasmine. Collin values kindness, empathy, and building connections with others—qualities he strives to bring into both his personal and professional life.
Matt Harford
Director
815-268-7300
Matt is the manager at Farmers Pioneer Mutual, where he has been a valued member of the team for over three years. Prior to joining Farmers Pioneer, he spent more than 20 years trading interest rate derivatives on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade. An active participant in IAMIC, Matt currently serves on the Education Committee and is committed to contributing whenever possible.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys watching sports, spending time with his family, and reading a good book. He is the proud father of three daughters: Helen, 14; Lucy, 12; and Annie, who is nearly 3. Originally from Washington, Illinois, Matt now resides in Onarga with his family.
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