About Us

Mike Payne, Todd Benton, Ross Silcock

Ross Silcock has been an insurance agent since 1985. He is Manager of First Express Insurance in Sidney, Iowa, and has earned the national designation CIC, Certified Insurance Counselor, which requires a comprehensive study course and rigorous exams in all lines of insurance, as well as comprehensive annual updates. Ross also has a Masters degree in Ruminant Nutrition and Ph.D. in Animal Science from Penn State University and has had 12 years of experience managing livestock operations prior to becoming an insurance agent.

Ross was born in New Zealand, where his father still resides. He came to the United States in 1968 to attend Penn State University and is now an American citizen. His wife Lyn is from Kansas and they have two children, both married.

Todd Benton manages the Nebraska City office of First Express Insurance at 911 Central Avenue (The Arbor Bank building). Todd is originally from the Malvern, Iowa, area and has several years of insurance sales and service experience. He is licensed both in personal and commercial lines, and is an experienced crop insurance agent. Todd currently lives in Nebraska City with his wife Susan and two children.

Mike Payne is based in our Sidney office. Mike is from a farm family in the Hamburg, Iowa, area and has a strong background in crop insurance underwriting and adjusting. Mike is licensed for personal and commercial lines. Mike is engaged to be married.

Cynthia Kingery has been with First Express as an insurance agent since 1987, and currently handles the agency accounting as her primary responsibility. Prior to coming to First Express, Cynthia worked in the banking industry. Cynthia has earned the CPSR (Certified Professional Service Representative) designation, which requires annual coursework for updating. Cynthia is from New Jersey, and lives in Sidney with her husband Dennis. She has a son in the Air Force.

Tammy Ward has been an insurance agent at First Express Insurance since her return to her hometown in 1994. She specializes in automobile and homeowner rating as well as providing quality service to all who are associated with First Express. Tammy attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where she attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She taught school in Lincoln for four years before moving back to Sidney and has worked in the travel industry as well prior to beginning her career with First Express.