This month, we are proud to highlight Randy Van Fossan. The Kankakee County community is home to many dedicated professionals who help individuals, families, and businesses protect their futures. This month, the Kankakee County Farm Bureau is proud to highlight Randy Van Fossan, a Financial Advisor with COUNTRY Financial, who has been serving the Bourbonnais area for more than two decades. Located at 1307 N. Convent St., Suite 1 in Bourbonnais, Randy has spent 26 years working in the insurance and financial services industry, all from the same office. Over the years, he has built lasting relationships with clients across Kankakee County while helping them navigate important financial and insurance decisions. Randy was drawn to the profession after recognizing the true value of insurance when it is handled properly. As he explains, “Over time I began to appreciate that insurance done well is a blessing to its owner—done poorly, not at all.” That philosophy has guided his career and the way he works with clients every day. In his role as a Financial Advisor with COUNTRY Financial, Randy specializes in a wide range of services, including life insurance, farm and business continuation planning, home and auto coverage, financial and retirement planning, and commercial insurance. His work often focuses on helping families, farmers, and business owners protect what they have built while preparing for the future. What sets Randy apart is his commitment to honesty, transparency, and strong coverage. In his office, clients receive proposals that focus on the right levels of protection from the start. As Randy says, “We give our best numbers out of the box, paying strict attention to insurance levels and coverage on every proposal. You can shop us—we are not shopping you.” His business is guided by a simple principle: operating with a strong moral compass. Building relationships is also central to Randy’s approach. He believes that successful business relationships are built on personal connection and trust. “People do business with people they like,” he says, “and they continue to do business with people they trust. Likeability is important. Trust is everything.” One client experience in particular stands out to Randy. A husband and wife once came to his office to discuss life insurance. The husband struggled to understand some of the details, and his wife gently reassured him, saying, “That’s okay, hon, let’s just go ahead.” Sadly, she passed away unexpectedly sometime later. When the husband returned to Randy’s office, he remembered that moment and asked, with tears in his eyes, “Do you remember her patting me on the arm?” Randy told him he did. The client then said, “She really loved me, didn’t she?” Randy replied, “She really did.” Moments like that reinforce the importance of planning ahead and protecting the people we care about. Randy notes that one of the most common misconceptions about insurance is that people often focus too much on finding the cheapest option. In reality, he believes it’s more important to focus on having the right coverage. His advice for those beginning to think about their financial future is simple: find an advisor you like and trust, ask questions, listen to the answers, and be smart about money. Outside of his professional work, Randy is deeply involved in the community. He serves as president of Christmas Day, Inc., a local charity founded 31 years ago. The organization hosts a fundraiser called “Christmas Golf in September,” and every dollar raised helps provide Christmas Day dinners at ten locations throughout Kankakee County for people who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. Randy says one of the things he enjoys most about working in this community is the people. “The Kankakee County community is populated with fine people who seek a level of security through faith, finance, and insurance.” When he’s not in the office, Randy enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors on his farm. His personal philosophy is straightforward: “We do not lie, cheat, or steal. We seek to do the right thing at every turn the first time.” For Randy, the most rewarding part of his job is helping people recover from loss and remain financially secure. Those interested in learning more or discussing their insurance and financial planning needs can reach Randy at (815) 932-3000 or by email at randy.vanfossan@countryfinancial.com. He is also available through Facebook and his COUNTRY Financial website. As Randy likes to remind people, “It costs nothing to talk.”