Meet Our Staff | Janecka Insurance Agency

We are a professional agency offering personal service for over thirty years.

Russell Janecka, CIC, LUTCF, FMDC

In 1986, Russell took the reins of his father's then ten-year-old agency. With over thirty years of experience, he has come to understand how insurance meets varied budgets and situations.

After obtaining a diploma in Russian from the Defense Language Institute, Russell received his business education through Victoria College and the University of Maryland while serving in the US Air Force. During his service, he was stationed overseas in Berlin, Germany. He is licensed as a Multi-line and a Life insurance Agent. In 1990, he attained the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow designation. In 1996, he obtained the Certified Insurance Counselor designation, which he updates annually through continuing education seminars each year.

He is also proud to serve as an elected member of the Board of Directors for Germania Farm Mutual and serves on their subsidiary boards for many years. He has attained the Farm Mutual Director’s Certification and maintains certification as a Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Jill Friedel, Agent

jill@jiavic.com

Jill has been with the agency since 1986. Her years of experience have helped her develop a depth in understanding for the needs people present to her in their insurance matters. She is always willing to assist clients with their questions and concerns. Along with assisting clients Jill is also the Agency Manager - maintaining the agency records, files, and bookkeeping.

Jill serves on numerous committees & groups within her church, currently involved with the Pumpkin Patch Ministry at the First United Methodist Church. She also enjoys being a new grandma and visiting her boy’s families in Arkansas.

Leticia Gonzales, ACSR

letie@jiavic.com

"Letie" has been with JIA since 1992. As an insurance solicitor, she works hard at obtaining the best value for her customers when she underwrites their insurance. Si es necessario se Habla Español!

Since November 2000, Letie has maintained an Accredited Customer Service Representative designation through her continuing educational insurance studies.

Letie is focusing on Commercial Lines Ins. She volunteered and served as Secretary and an "Angel" (mentor) to pregnant women in the Victoria Gabriel Project. Currently Letie serves as a Sunday School teacher for adults, an Outreach Pastor, and Children's Ministry Director at City Harvest Church. She is an avid follower of her Favorite football teams the Green Bay Packers and LSU Tigers. On her time off Letie enjoys spending time with family. She also enjoys reading biographies, political and religious books.

Barbara Etlinger

barbara@jiavic.com

Barbara joined our agency in 2004 with many years of experience in loan servicing from First Capital Bank. Prior to that, she had 12 years of experience in a local insurance agency. Barbara’s focus has been Personal Lines of insurance. Her experience and long tenure have taught her how to be sensitive to each client's needs.

In August 2019, she and her husband celebrated their 50 year wedding anniversary. She has 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. The two who are still small keep her very active when she gets to visit with them.

Her favorite place to visit is Las Vegas, and she is a fan of the casinos in Lake Charles, too. She especially enjoys going to a movie, reading mysteries, working puzzles and enjoys all types of music. Our Lady of Victory Cathedral is her home parish, but you will also often see her at the other Catholic churches in town.

Haily Lara, Agent

haily@jiavic.com

Haily joined our office in July 2018. However, she has obtained insurance experience since 2009, working with agencies locally and in Houston area. Her years of experience have enabled to provide you with the coverage that matches your insurance needs. Se habla Español !! Come by to see why we are so excited to have her join our staff.

Haily has been with our agency Since 2018. She has over 9 years of insurance experience, specializing in home, auto, motorcycle, renters, and mobile home insurance. She enjoys helping customers understand what insurance can do in protecting their assets in the unexpected moments life throws our way. Haily is originally from Houston, she moved to Victoria in 2017. On her time away from the office she enjoys paper crafting & spending time with her 2 beautiful daughters Jakelyn and Jenessa.

Fred Kubesch, CIC, LUTCF – Life Specialist

fred@jiavic.com

Fred joined our agency after retiring as a full time P&C agent with Swantner & Gordon in Victoria. Fred received his B.S. in Education in 1968; and his Masters in Guidance Counseling in 1973. He has coached and taught for 7 ½ years

He brings over 40 years of experience as a district manager and agent representing several carriers. He maintains the industry’s LUTCF and CIC designations. Rather than retire, Fred decided to focus on offering life insurance and long-term care. He enjoys being able to assist people in all walks of life addressing their concern of dying to soon or living too long. His major emphasis is now to focus on assisting people from 35 to 80 by educating them on long-term care needs and ways to address them.

When not in the office, Fred is very busy with volunteering for his church and organizations and preparing his renowned barbecue for his friends. For his efforts, he was acknowledged as Knight of the year for 2019 with the Knights of Columbus.

Achievements include

Past President of Sunrise Rotary Club with 30 years of perfect attendance.
Past President of the Gulf Coast Assn. of Life Underwriters
Served on the board of Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry
Received the Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2009
Member of the Victoria Serra Club
Knight of the Year – Victoria KC’s of 9088 Holy Family Catholic Church