The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research recently named Kari Van Es the 2021 Outstanding Customer Service Representative of the Year recipient for the state of Iowa.

To qualify for this top state honor, Van Es submitted a winning essay on the following topic prompt:

"2020 presented major challenges to the insurance industry and every insurance buyer in the country.  As clients re-evaluated their insurance coverages and carriers, agents quickly realized that they couldn't rely on brand loyalty alone. Agents must also provide near perfect client experiences in order to protect them and keep businesses thriving. Describe the biggest challenges your agency or company and clients faced this past year and what three service strategies you employed to overcome them and continue delivering incredible experiences to your clients."

Additionally, Van Es, was selected for having demonstrated outstanding service and professionalism within the insurance community.

Van Es began her insurance career as a customer service agent with Prins Insurance, Inc. in 2003. She currently is an account executive at the Sanborn location.

Van Es has been instrumental in working with the firm's state Land Improvement Contractors Association program, which works with contractors in over 15 states and providing them coverage to meet their ever-changing business needs. Van Es attained her CISR designation in 2006.

Van Es is active in her community and volunteers with her community school district as well as her church. Kari currently resides in Sanborn with her husband Doug, and children, Lindsey and Dalton.

"Kari Van Es was chosen as a state winner for exemplifying the characteristics and qualifications required to be eligible for the prestigious National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award," stated Dr. William T. Hold, Ph.D., CIC, CPCU, CLU, President of the National Alliance, in a news release. "She represents the backbone of the insurance community, those customer service representatives distinguished for providing exceptional service on a daily basis."

Van Es will receive a framed certificate, embossed with the special Outstanding CSR of the Year bronze medallion symbol, and is now one of 30 individuals eligible for the national honor. The National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award carries a $3,000 cash prize and a scholarship for the recipient's employer to any program offered by the National Alliance. The national winner also receives a distinctive gold and diamond lapel pin cast with the Outstanding CSR of the Year emblem. Additionally, the winner's name will be inscribed on a sculpture permanently displayed at the national headquarters in Austin, Texas.