Michael Beck
Michael grew up in Elkader and graduated from Central Community Schools in 2005 and was only away from the community during his four years in college. Michael joined the agency in 2016 as a licensed agent, after working as an accountant for a local manufacturing company for several years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Loras College in 2009.
In the summer of 2021 Michael was presented with an opportunity from long time agency owner, Tom Gifford, to purchase Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc. Michael now not only serves as an agent but also President (owner) of Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc. Michael is both humbled and honored to serve as the owner of Gifford Insurance Agency as the Gifford Insurance name is stamped into the fabric of Elkader and holds a high standard of family based service and putting our customers first. Michael states, “It is important to me that the Gifford name stays with the agency as previous owners Glenn Gifford, Brian Gifford and Tom Gifford put their life’s work into serving their customers and putting their needs first. That is the same kind of service that we will continue at Gifford Insurance Agency. I am humbled to have personally known Brian Gifford as I grew up in Elkader and also to have been personally trained and led by Tom Gifford throughout my insurance career since 2016. Tom has always done insurance the right way and covered his customers for any risks that were present within their businesses, autos, homes, farms, etc. The wealth of knowledge that Tom had in the insurance industry was something that he shared with me daily when working side by side with him. I will always be grateful to Tom for taking the time to teach and also for being a close friend. I also want to thank long time and current agent Kevin Lau for being instrumental in guiding and teaching me in the insurance aspects of farm, home and auto, crop and health insurance. I couldn’t have asked for two better agents to learn from.”
Michael lives in Elkader with his wife, Jade and two sons, Abram and Ellis. In his spare time Michael enjoys spending time with Jade and their boys, riding bike, taking their disabled son Ellis for walks in his wheelchair (this is his favorite activity), coaching and spending time with close friends. Michael served as the assistant boys basketball at Central Elkader Community Schools for the last 10 years but will now serve as a volunteer coach for the high school boys basketball team when time permits. Michael also heads and plans the youth boys basketball programs for 1st thru 6th grade in Elkader.
Jade Beck
Jade spent her childhood near Lamont, Iowa but her family moved to Elkader her freshman year in high school. Jade graduated from Central Community Schools in Elkader in 2008. Jade attended the University of Northern Iowa where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Jade is a licensed personal lines agent and mostly works on personal home and auto insurance along with crop insurance during her office hours. Jade serves as both a part-time agent in the agency along with serving as the Vice President (co-owner) of Gifford Insurance Agency, Inc. Jade has vast experience in the customer service industry as she served as a store manager for a sporting goods store in Cedar Falls, Iowa during her college years and also managed a local coffee shop in Elkader.
A majority of Jade’s time is spent taking care of their two boys, Abram and Ellis. Ellis requires much attention as he was born with many cognitive and physical disabilities (cerebral palsy) that were a result of birth trauma. Ellis is immobile and all normal daily tasks needs to be done for him. Jade is a picture of someone who willingly sacrifices each day for the betterment of her children and the love that she has for them. In her spare time Jade enjoys longbow hunting, riding horses, reading, going on walks with the family and remodeling the home.
David Beck
David joined the agency staff in June 2021, after assisting customers in the banking industry for many years. He is active in a number of organizations in the community, including the Opera House Players, Elkader Historical Society, the Clayton County Genealogical Society and the Motor Mill Foundation. In his free time, David enjoys photography, genealogical and historical research, along with his passion for playing the piano.
Rochelle Wagner
Rochelle joined the Gifford Insurance Agency in September 2022 as a customer service representative and licensed personal lines agent. Rochelle grew up in Elkader, graduating from Central Community School in 2015. She attended the University of Northern Iowa, graduating in 2019 with an emphasis in family services. Rochelle is also active in serving Elkader and the surrounding community at T.D.’s Sports Bar and Grill and the Elkader Pizzeria. She is on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, she enjoys time at the river, traveling, spending time with friends and grooming her three cats, Luca, Macaroni and Ness.