Companies We Represent
As an Independent Insurance Agency we can prepare a custom tailored quote with a fast reply. We will shop your insurance needs with a number of companies to ensure a competitive price. We are dedicated to deliver you with the absolute best personal service of any insurance agency.
Community Involvement
Fortner Insurance Agency is proud to be associated with many worthwhile volunteer organizations around Central Illinois. Dawn Fortner-Alwan has served as a co-chair, in leadership positions for Easter Seals. Alwan was named as a 2009 recipient of 25 Women in Leadership for her passion and enthusiasm. She has also been an active volunteer and on the advisory board for the Central Illinois Riding Therapy that provides horse-riding therapy for people with disabilities.
In addition, JR Runkel was recognized in the 2009 Class of 40 leaders under 40 for his service to the Community and Leadership efforts. JR also is involved with the following organizations:
- Salem Lutheran Church
- PAAC, Chairman of the Peoria Area Action Committee for NFIB
- Wittenberg University, Past President
- Junior Achievement
- Kiwanis- President of Downtown Club
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Actively working on your behalf!
Building TRUST still exists today at Fortner Insurance Agency. For over 50 years Founder, Robert "Bob" Fortner has been selling insurance as an independent agent with exceptional, efficient, and longevity of service to customers.
Established in 1973, Fortner Insurance Agency began serving Central Illinois and beyond as a full-service Independent Insurance Agency. The Agency currently serves the insurance needs of almost 3,000 individuals, families, and over 400 businesses. The same philosophy and passion that began over 35 years ago of taking care of the customer, and building long-term relationships still exists today at Fortner Insurance.
Advances in technology and knowledge, under the leadership of JR Runkel and Dawn Fortner-Alwan, have made us more efficient. In an effort to be environmentally friendly all our personal line accounts are paperless. To further enhance your trust with our agency you can be assured you will interact with a decision maker on all your policy decisions, and are contacting one of the best insurance agencies in the industry.
Services You Can Expect from an Independent Agency:
- Licensed professionals with strong customer and community ties
- A complete analysis of your insurance needs
- Design a responsible protection program for you
- Access to major insurance companies to find the best solutions for your individual needs
- Present you with a competitively priced proposal
- Move quickly to get a fair, prompt settlement of your claim
- Periodically review the adequacy of your insurance program
- Search for ways to save you money
- Provide excellent customer service to our customers
The Fortner Insurance Agency Team
Welcome to Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc., your full service agency serving Central Illinois and beyond. We are proven professionals who are committed to providing our customers with The Insurance you Need Today, to Protect your World Tomorrow!
- JR Runkel
- Dawn Fortner- Alwan
- Robert Fortner
- Dan Smith
- Dan Gschwendtner
- Denise M. Johnson
- Christina L. Bohannan
- Tracy D. Caldwell
- Sabre Jamieson
- Marcy Ely
JR Runkel
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
| Cell: | (309) 370-6549 |
JR Runkel has been in the insurance industry for over fifteen years. A proud graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he was a starting quarterback and president of the Student Senate. He is a native of Carmel, Indiana. JR is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance lines. Prior to selling insurance JR worked for the Public Relations department for the Indianapolis Colts. He was part of the 2009 Annual Leadership Award of 40 leaders under 40 for his commitment to the community and leadership. He is the father of twin boys, Mason and Drew, and active in various sports, an avid football fan, and golfer.
Dawn Fortner- Alwan
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
| Cell: | (309) 696-7054 |
Dawn is a graduate of Iowa State University. She grew up in the insurance industry watching her father, Robert Fortner, start Fortner Insurance. She is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance. As an avid horsewoman, Dawn is an Advisory Board Member of Central Illinois Riding Therapy, a not-for-profit organization as that utilizes horseback riding as a means of therapy for children & adults who have physical handicaps. In 2009 she was named one of 25 Women in Leadership for her Community, Contribution, and Commitment to Easter Seals. She and her husband also own Echo Valley Meats and Catering in Bartonville.
Robert Fortner
rkfortner@sbcglobal.net
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
| Cell: | (309) 696-7083 |
Robert "Bob" Fortner has been selling insurance as an independent agent for over fifty years. He founded Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc. in 1973 and has been dedicated to writing policies, taking care of his customers needs, putting them first, and building long-term relationships with his vast years of insurance experience. Bob specializes in all lines of insurance ranging from personal autos to corporate group health insurance plans and all coverage’s in between. The philosophy, Mr. Fortner, started so long ago of building trust and taking care of the customers is still evident at the agency today. Bob, a graduate of Western Illinois University, resides in Peoria with his wife, Kathy.
Tracy D. Caldwell
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
Tracy Caldwell started with Fortner Insurance in March 2006 in an entry level position. By January 2007 she was a licensed producer in Property & Casualty, Life & Health, and is now a Commercial Lines Account Manager. Tracy grew up in East Peoria and now resides in Washington. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys reading, scrapbooking, spending time with family & friends, watching football & cheering on the St. Louis Rams. She enjoys traveling, when time permits, with her husband David and their young son, Cooper
Christina L. Bohannan
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
A native of Peoria, Christina has been with Fortner Insurance since August 2001. She is licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance lines. She is currently studying to complete her INS Designation & Associates in Personal Lines Insurance. In her spare time she likes to read and spend time with family and friends. Christina is married to husband Nick with three children daughter, Payton, and twins' daughters Sophia and Olivia. Christina & her family reside in Morton, Illinois.
Denise M. Johnson
denisej@fortnerins.com
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
Denise is a 22 year resident of Illinois, originally from the Baltimore, MD area. She has been in the insurance industry since moving to the Peoria area in 1988 and is licensed in Property & Casualty, as well as Life and Health.
As Vice President of the Central Illinois Users Group for Applied Systems, she is actively involved in helping Applied System users educate and train their office personnel in the use of the Applied Systems management software.
Prior to joining Fortner Insurance in 2005, Denise was a commercial lines underwriter for an insurance brokerage firm located in Peoria. Returning to the agency force has allowed her the opportunity to utilize her knowledge of commercial lines underwriting in procuring coverage for clients within the agency.
Denise is married, the mother of two children, and has two granddaughters. She resides in Green Valley, IL with her husband, Frank, and enjoys reading, swimming, and traveling.
Dan Gschwendtner
Dan has been selling insurance since 1994 and an independent agent since 1997. He consults on all lines of insurance in our industry:
Home - Auto - Life - Health - Farm - Crop - Business Insurance
Dan was born and raised on the family farm in Pontiac, IL. He graduated from Pontiac Township High School and Illinois State University. Married to Sara, they have two children, Grace and Max. In his spare time, Dan enjoys coaching youth sports, water sports, boating, and an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Dan Smith
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
| Cell: | (309) 645-1013 |
Fortner Insurance is proud to have Dan as our Medicare specialist. Dan has lived in the Peoria area all his life, attended Spalding High School and Bradley University. Dan’s been married to Char for 48 years, with four children and twelve grandchildren. His knowledge and experience of our senior programs will help you find the plans that work best for you. Helping others attain their goals has been his calling. Family and friends are always asking for help with their insurance concerns. If you want someone to help you understand the current insurance programs, call Dan.
Sabre Jamieson
sabrej@fortnerins.com
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
Sabre resides in Pekin, IL and is a graduate of Midwest Central High School. She is a newly licensed producer for Property & Casualty insurance lines and is currently working on obtaining her license for Life & Health. As a new member to the agency, Sabre assists Christina in the quoting and processing of Personal Lines insurance. In her spare time she enjoys laying out by a pool and spending time with her friends.
Marcy Ely
| Phone: | (309) 682-0519 |
| Cell: | (309) 264-8823 |
| Fax: | (309) 682-0553 |
Marcy has been in the insurance business since 2000. She has worked in the central Illinois area assisting people with all their needs with superior customer service. Marcy is from Chillicothe and still lives there with her husband Mark and son Mason. She enjoys playing golf, going to sport events. shopping and traveling.
