Meet the Team

Ryan L. Zimpleman, MSM

Agency Managing Principal

States Licensed In: 48

Ryan has been the catalyst that has enabled The National Builders Insurance Group to ascend to one of the most dynamic independent insurance agencies in the Midwest. Since his arrival in 2012, the agency has expanded from a regional agency with one location into an expanding national agency with five locations and agents in a multitude of states that writes insurance in 48 states.

Ryan graduated from Butler University with a B.S. in International Business Management and started his career in the financial services industry in 2001. Ryan joined the United States Army after 9/11 and has since deployed around the world as a member of the Special Forces “Green Berets” with two tours in Afghanistan. Ryan joined NBIG in 2012 as Principal and earned his Masters in Management from the American College in 2014. His leadership philosophy of “leading from the front” coupled with his tenacious competitive edge has helped mold NBIG's culture into what it is today.

Ryan is married to Lisa and they have four wonderful, but very different, children. If Ryan is not in the office or on military duty, you will most likely find him at one of the kids’ various sporting events.

Organizations

• Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (Big I) – Executive Committee
• Fulton County Councilman, Indiana
• Butler University Alumni Association
• Freemasons
• Special Forces Association
• American Legion
• Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Honors & Awards

• Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana Agency of the Year 2012
• Caston High School Distinguished Alumni
• Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs Scholarship Recipient
• U.S. Army Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
• U.S. Army Commendation with Valor Device
• NCAA 1-AA Football All American

Favorite Quote

"Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat" – God favors the bold

Katlyn Lee

Director of Operations

Direct: (574) 223-0680
States Licensed In: IN

Professional: Katlyn began her insurance career in early February 2020. She started her career as the head of the Claims Department for National Builders Insurance Group where she serviced individuals who had suffered loss and consulted them through the claim process in a timely manner. After giving up the reins as Claims Director, she transitioned into the Commercial Line Service Team where her primary responsibilities included gathering client data and marketing accounts across our various carrier markets, ensuring clients were offered the best coverage with the best price. Katlyn has now transitioned into the role of an Agent, strategically targeting key accounts across the nation.

Personal: Katlyn is a May ‘19 graduate of Purdue University and spent 6 months immediately following graduation living in Denver, Colorado. While in Colorado, she enjoyed hiking and camping in the heart of the Rockies. After returning to her home state of Indiana, she has enjoyed time with her family and 10-year-old Cockapoo, Cane. Katlyn is jumping into community involvement and enjoys spending time on the lake, tending to her succulent garden, and hammocking anywhere with a nice view.

Favorite Quote

"If life were predictable, it would cease to be life and be without flavor." – Eleanor Roosevelt

Terry Smith

National Risk Program Advisor

Direct: (574) 224-2108
States Licensed In:

Professional:Terry grew up in Peru, IN and graduated from Peru High School where he was captain of the golf and basketball teams.  The then went on to graduate from Hanover College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014.

In 2017, Terry accepted an offer to come manage the Peru office for The Smith Sawyer & Smith Agency.  He has been writing business, home and auto insurance, and loves the insurance industry.  Terry is currently doing business insurance in the state of Indiana, and mostly up and down the East Coast of the United States.  Terry is also licensed in life and health insurance to offer the full range of insurance products for his clients. 

After he came back to Peru, Terry wanted to get involved with his local community. Terry sits on several different boards in his community in an effort to help his community grow and prosper.  He also is a volunteer coach at Peru High School. 

Personal: Terry has been married since 2019, and has one child.  During his free time, Terry enjoys golfing at his home course, Rock Hollow, and having a BBQ with the family.  His favorite college team is Auburn (War Eagle!) and enjoys watching them play football on Saturdays. 

Favorite Quote

"If you can't outplay them, outwork them." - Ben Hogan

Brett Slama

Vice President of Mid-West Region

Direct:
(317) 740-0356 office
(317) 440-1260 mobile
States Licensed In: All 50 States and US Territories

Professional: Brett earned his Bachelors of Science from Butler University in Business Administration and Marketing. Brett was an All-Pioneer League performer for Butler University's Football team and was awarded the team’s Bulldog Tenacity Award in 2000. Brett's career path began in sports marketing, where he represented properties and teams in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR, and The National Basketball Association. Brett left the sports and entertainment industry for the insurance and risk management industry in 2005, where he has worked as a producer and underwriter.

Brett's insurance career began with Liberty Mutual Insurance, where he was an award-winning personal lines producer for the state of Indiana and The Midwest Region. Brett transitioned from the personal lines industry to the commercial insurance industry as both an independent agent and direct writer for national programs within the Retail Hardware Industry, Real Estate, and Habitational Industry, Advanced Manufacturing, Wood Products Manufacturing and represented a variety of trade association programs for traditional retail businesses.

Brett started with National Builders Insurance Group as the Midwest Region’s Vice President of Sales and Development, where he assisted in the expansion of the NBIG brand, in opening offices in New York, California, Pennsylvania and Indianapolis. Brett now serves as the operating partner for DeMulling and Slama Insurance, which is a member agency of National Builders Insurance Group. Brett's focus lies in growing the office through new business production and retention, as well as the daily office management duties within the growing staff and national program administration.

Personal: Brett is a passionate supporter of Butler University Athletics as well as an avid golfer and traveler. As a native son to Zionsville and Carmel, Brett has volunteered within a variety of non-profit groups in Indianapolis and enjoys giving back to his community. Brett and his wife (Ellen) live in Carmel, Indiana where they remain active with their family and friends.

Favorite Quote

"Great things are not done by one person. They’re done by a team of people." - Steve Jobs

Stacy Robinson

CL Team Lead & Insurance Portfolio Advisor

Direct: (574) 223-0678
States Licensed In: IN, IL

Professional: Stacy graduated from Purdue University in 2013 and joined National Builders Insurance Group the same year, originally as the receptionist for the office. She quickly changed roles, filling the need for a personal lines service representative. Stacy later became the director of the Farm and Agribusiness Department, which allowed her to return to her roots as the sixth generation in her family to have a career in an ag-related field. In addition to farms, she is a part of the Commercial Lines Service Team, and manages the Surety Division. In late 2018, with the acquisition of a Chicago based agency, Stacy took the lead as the Account Executive for the commercial business.

Personal: Stacy finds her joy at home with her husband and son. She spends the warmer months outside in her garden and carries on the lessons her mother taught her of raising a garden and canning foods. Stacy is active is the Marshall County 4-H program as the Advisor of the 4-H Jr. Leaders.

Favorite Quote

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Sheena Bitterling

Commercial Line Customer Service Agent

Direct: (574) 223-0662
States Licensed In: IN

Professional: Sheena received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester University in 2010 and began her insurance career in June of 2019. She received her Indiana Property & Casualty Insurance License in August of 2019. She began as a claims specialist with our agency before transitioning to the commercial lines marketing team. Sheena currently serves as a Commercial Lines Marketer and Account Manager.

Personal: Sheena and her family reside in Northern Indiana. She and her husband, Clay, are always active with their 3 children, Evelyn, Emmett, and Solomon. Sheena is an active member of her community and can be seen at several local events throughout her county. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, volunteer work, and participating in physical fitness activities.

Favorite Quote

"Look in the mirror; that’s your competition."

Tiffany Rimpler

Commercial Line Customer Service Agent

Direct: (574) 223-0663
States Licensed In: IN

Professional: Tiffany hired in with the Agency in early October 2020. She was originally brought on to help service accounts via submitting endorsements, generating Certificates of Insurance, and helping insureds with billing problems. After showing the aptitude to learn quickly, she was transitioned into the Commercial Line Marketing team where she handles the marketing of our new buisness accounts ensuring that our insureds are fully covered in the event of a loss. Tiffany works in tandem with Executive Officers from our Commercial accounts and Underwriters making precise judgements on what coverages are needed to best suit the account.

Personal: Tiffany has experience working as a Medical Assistant in Winamac where she helped patients by taking blood pressure, noting symptoms, and explaining treatment options. She then switched gears, becoming a pre-school teacher within her community where she taught upwards of 20 students at a time. Tiffany is a mother to three beautiful children with ages ranging between 7-16 years old. In her time away from the office, she stays busy toting each child to their various practices, games, and matches. She has been married to her husband, Garret, for 8 wonderful years. In between toting her children to their sporting events, her family enjoys spending time outdoors camping around the state of Indiana.

Favorite Quote

"A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset."

Megan Semonis

Agency Development Manager & Operations Specialist

Direct: (574) 223-0671
States Licensed In: IN, MI

Professional: Megan graduated from Purdue University in 2009 with a degree in Financial Counseling & Planning. She began her career in the financial services industry with a national financial planning firm, but found her true calling to risk management when she joined National Builders Insurance Group in 2012.

Megan has served the agency in a variety of roles over the years, creating a well-rounded depth of knowledge for her current agency development role where she manages workflow, staff training, standard operating procedures, billing coordination, and carrier relations.

Personal: Megan and her family live in Bourbon, Indiana, where they are actively involved in the United Pentecostal Church. Megan is a worship leader on the music team and teaches a Sunday School class for Junior High teens. In their spare time, Megan and her family enjoy spending time together outdoors, often fishing, laughing around a bonfire, or driving tractors on their hobby farm.

Favorite Quote

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." – Proverbs 3:5-6

Matt Harvey

Multimedia Director

Direct: (574) 223-0677

Professional: Matt attended Ivy Tech and studied Film/Video. After college he followed his family footsteps and began working in the industrial sales field as a salesman for a distributor for parts and components, specifically for the RV industry. In July of 2021, Matt joined Smith Sawyer Smith to pursue his passion in videography, photography, and design.

Personal: Matt lives in Bourbon, IN where he is actively involved in numerous aspects of the United Pentecostal Church including music, Sunday School, livestream and sound to name a few. When he has spare time, he enjoys exploring new local restaurants and coffee houses and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Favorite Quote

"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me." – Micah 7:8