Emerging Leaders Spotlight: Ryan Kramer

Ryan Kramer began his crop insurance career early in life, as he worked as a part-time underwriter in high school and college. From there, Kramer moved up the ladder, serving as a Senior Underwriter, Underwriting Supervisor and Compliance Manager before landing in his role as Assistant Vice President-Compliance Manager at Farmers Mutual Hail.

Kramer’s role gives him an unique opportunity to promote program integrity. He serves as a bridge between government officials and agents or producers, which gives him unique insights into the value of the crop insurance program. “Each stakeholder in the program, whether a producer, agent, Approved Insurance Provider, or member of Congress working on the Farm Bill has, in my experience, valid concerns and opinions of the program. […] I try to bridge the gap to provide an understanding to both sides,” said Kramer.

This week, members of the Emerging Leaders Program met with their Congressional representatives in their district offices. Kramer and two other ELPs met with the office staff of Congresswoman Axne (D-IA-02) to advocate to protect the program. “Our [ELP] experience has equipped us with real examples of how risk management tools provide peace of mind to producers, even during times of variability in the agricultural market,” said Kramer. “Those experiences help us communicate to lawmakers how the crop insurance program supports their valued constituency.”

Kramer grew up in central Minnesota and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He resides in the Des Moines area and enjoys spending his free time camping, canoeing and kayaking. Follow him on Twitter at @jryan_kramer.