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Ardelle Westman Award
The Ardelle Westman Award celebrates non-sales employees who go above and beyond at CG. Named in honor of Ardelle Westman, it recognizes her 30+ years of dedicated service and steadfast partnership in serving Gene Christensen's clients.
Nominees for "The Ardelle" should bring our 4 C’s (Clients, Co-workers, Carriers, and Community) to life. This is an opportunity to recognize co-workers in addition to our Recognition Program on CG Connect.
Award Details
The Leadership Council will determine the winners based on the exceptional contributions of our employees – this means the number of winners may vary year to year. The selected winners will share the allotted prize money evenly, as well as receive 5 days of extra PTO.
We encourage employee-owners to nominate those who exemplifies the 4 C’s.
For a nomination to get passed to the Leadership Council it must have the following:
1. At least 3 of the 5 fields are filled out (Clients, Carriers, Co-workers, Community, Culture). Any nominations with less than 3 selected will not be considered for the Ardelle Westman Award.
2. Each nomination must include tangible examples of how the person showed up in each C. The more information provided, the better.
Check out these sample submissions!
2026 Ardelle Award Winners
Brandon Boelter
Sarah Kaster
Moriah Trebelhorn
Sean Kurtenbach
The Leadership Council had the hard job of selecting the final four winners from 46 employees nominated across 68 total nominations of very well-deserving individuals.
Congratulations to our four winners: Brandon Boelter, Sarah Kaster, Moriah Trebelhorn, and Sean Kurtenbach.
Each of them truly exemplifies our 4 C's. These teammates consistently bring the 4 C's to life while living our cultural statements: acting with a "Team First" mentality, caring deeply, and operating with a growth mindset. Their dedication to our clients, carriers, coworkers, community, and culture has made a meaningful impact across our organization.
Please join us in congratulating this year's Ardelle Westman Award recipients for their exceptional contributions and commitment to what makes CG a great place to work, and read about what made them stand out amongst their peers.
Brandon Boelter
Brandon Boelter was selected for the Ardelle Award because he consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of his role - supporting clients, uplifting his team, and making a meaningful impact in the community.
From a client perspective, Brandon brings professionalism, positivity, and transparency to every interaction. He takes the time to thoroughly explain market trends and carrier decisions, helping clients feel informed and confident. His willingness to take on new opportunities and his client-first mindset ensure a high level of service and trust.
Within the team, Brandon is known for his dependability, leadership, and genuine care for others. He builds strong relationships not only with carriers, but also with coworkers across the organization. He actively mentors newer employees, checks in on colleagues, and contributes to a positive, supportive work environment. His attitude and actions set the standard for collaboration and team success.
Beyond his day-to-day role, Brandon's impact on culture and community truly sets him apart. As Chair of the Charity Committee, he leads major initiatives and encourages others to get involved. He plays a key role in charitable efforts like INDY, supports youth through activities like the Sartell Fishing Team, and participates in numerous local service events. He also helps drive company culture by organizing events, celebrating coworkers' milestones, and promoting a strong sense of connection across teams.
In short, Brandon exemplifies what this award represents: leadership, service, and a deep commitment to both people and community.
Sarah Kaster
Sarah Kaster earned the Ardelle Award because of her outstanding service, unwavering positivity, and the meaningful impact she has on both clients and her team.
From a client perspective, Sarah consistently delivers exceptional service. She is responsive, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to getting the right answers. She goes above and beyond to follow up on every question and ensure clients fully understand and benefit from their policies. Even in challenging situations, she demonstrates patience and professionalism, which is why clients consistently rave about her work.
In her work with carrier partners, Sarah has built a strong reputation for being organized, honest, and reliable. She takes the extra step to dig deeper when needed, ensuring that every solution she provides is accurate and in the best interest of the client.
Within the team, Sarah is an incredible source of support and positivity. She mentors new employees, collaborates across roles, and is always willing to go the extra mile to help others succeed. Her kindness, energy, and team-first mindset make a lasting impact on everyone she works with.
Beyond the workplace, Sarah is also dedicated to her community—supporting her daughter's school and activities, advocating for animal causes, and promoting sustainability efforts.
What truly sets Sarah apart is her ability to lift others up. She leads with empathy, embraces growth, and consistently puts the team first. She represents the very best of the organization's culture and values.
Moriah Trebelhorn
Moriah Trebelhorn earned the Ardelle Award because of her exceptional commitment to excellence, her positive impact on those around her, and her dedication to continuous improvement.
In her work with carrier partners, Moriah stands out for her proactive and relationship-driven approach. She creates tools and resources that keep both carriers and clients organized, significantly improving efficiency and communication. She also prioritizes personal connection—picking up the phone to build stronger, more effective partnerships.
From a client perspective, Moriah consistently goes above and beyond. She handles complex accounts with precision and care, even in challenging situations like staff turnover and evolving project demands. Her ability to execute flawlessly ensures clients feel supported and confident every step of the way.
Within the team, Moriah is known for her infectious positivity and attention to detail. She brings energy to the workplace and leads by example through her growth mindset and willingness to help others succeed. She's not only a reliable colleague, but someone who elevates the entire team.
Moriah also contributes to the broader community, actively supporting programs and events that strengthen connections and expand the company's presence in New Ulm. Ultimately, what sets Moriah apart is her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and care. She embodies the values that define the organization and continuously pushes both herself and those around her to be better.
Sean Kurtenbach
Sean Kurtenbach earned the Ardelle Award because of his leadership, his commitment to others, and the lasting impact he makes across clients, coworkers, and partners.
From a client perspective, Sean consistently goes above and beyond. He steps into challenging situations with professionalism and ease, building trust and restoring relationships through his strong communication and genuine care. What sets him apart is not just the results he delivers, but the calm, positive attitude he brings while doing it.
In his work with carrier partners, Sean is exceptional at building meaningful, lasting relationships. He communicates with respect and enthusiasm, and when he commits to something, he follows through. He even takes extra initiative outside of formal settings to strengthen partnerships, creating opportunities that benefit the entire organization.
Within the team, Sean is a natural leader and mentor. As a Certified Systems Trainer, he invests in the growth of others—supporting new hires, leading trainings, and creating learning opportunities that elevate the whole group. He also led the intern program, keeping participants engaged and inspired. Sean consistently lifts others up, recognizes their contributions, and leads by example with integrity and accountability.
Beyond his daily role, Sean is deeply involved in both company culture and the community. He volunteers regularly, participates in company events, and contributes ideas that improve how the organization operates. Whether it's mentoring teammates, exploring new tools, or supporting volunteer efforts, Sean is always willing to step in and help.At his core, Sean is someone who makes a difference wherever he goes—reliable, thoughtful, and fully committed to the success of those around him.
2026 nominations are now closed.
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Employees will be nominated by their peers and the winners will be selected by the Leadership Council. This is open to all departments* (Agency Services, Commercial Lines, Employee Benefits, Personal Lines, 401k).
*Leadership Council and Sales employees are excluded.
*An employee can be nominated multiple years in a row, but only can win the Ardelle Westman Award once every 5 years.
