Mike was born and raised in Oroville, Washington, then went on to play basketball at University of Puget Sound, graduating in 1970. After college, he moved to the Methow Valley serving as a teacher and coach until he bought VIP Agency in 1975. He took advantage of all the Methow had to offer outdoors, and still does today, by golfing, hunting, and rafting the local rivers.  He married his first wife and together raised four beautiful daughters.

At the time, VIP was a small agency with only one office in Winthrop, WA. He decided to expand the agency to Twisp a couple years later. During the 1980s, Mike continued to grow the company by taking over other agencies throughout Okanogan County. With offices in the Methow, Oroville, Tonasket, and Omak, Mike stayed busy driving up and down the valley making sales and working closely with farm owners on all of their insurance needs.

In 2003, Mike moved back to Oroville to be with his lovely wife, Lisa, and be closer to his work. They enjoy spending time in their log home overlooking the Similkameen River. They especially enjoy when they have all seven of their kids together to watch basketball or spend some quality time outside. In 2008, once again, Mike decided to grow the company by opening an office with Rebecca Gebbers in Brewster, along with a new office in Yakima, to make VIP Agency South. Mike is proud that VIP Agency now offers 5 locations and is one of the biggest agencies in North Central Washington. He works hard to ensure that the company is the go-to insurance agency to offer the best service, the best product, and the best price.

Alison Blackler
Commercial/Farm Agent

Alison has lived in Oroville, WA her whole life with the exception of time spent attending Washington State University and for eight years while she worked in Spokane. She was drawn back home so she could spend time with her family and be near her nieces and nephews as they were growing up.

Alison has worked at VIP Insurance Agency for the last 12 years selling commercial and farm lines of insurance and also handles the bookkeeping for three of the offices.

Alison’s interests include reading, gardening, music and traveling to England to visit family whenever possible!!

Stacy Egerton

Stacy and her husband were raised in Oroville and chose to raise their 3 children in Oroville as well because they feel it’s such a safe and friendly community.  Stacy and her family also enjoy doing all of the outdoor activities the area provides such as boating, hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Stacy joined the VIP Insurance Agency team in September 2013 and is very excited to be able to help customers with all their insurance needs.   She focuses on Personal Lines Property & Casualty Insurance.

Emily Rimestad

Emily was born and raised in Tonasket. She is married with two sons, ages 19 & 14. The family enjoys many outdoor activities including, hunting, fishing, watersports, four wheeling, snowmobiling and horseback riding. Emily’s sons are also active in sports, participating in Football, Wrestling and Soccer.

Emily has a love of horses and has five of her own. In her free time, Emily also coaches fast pitch softball in Tonasket. She is very excited to be working for VIP and is eager to meet new people and help them with their insurance needs.