PITTSBURG, Kan. — As of May 1, Jessica Ripper took ownership of the American Family Insurance office at 1001 N. Broadway Street as David Hutchinson decided to retire. Ripper also took ownership of an American Family branch in Baxter Springs.

“It just felt like a natural progression,” Ripper said. “I really enjoyed being around people in the agency in Girard.” “I just wanted to continue to grow.”

On Thursday, the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and community members celebrated her new office on Broadway with a ribbon cutting.

Ripper has been an American Family Insurance agent in Girard since late 2024. Prior to working in insurance, she was the Girard Chamber of Commerce Director.

Although her office can help with home, auto, commercial, farm and life insurance, Ripper said she really likes helping people with farm insurance. It’s more complex, but navigating that process for people is something she enjoys, she said.

“I have a need to help people,” she said. “People don’t always think insurance is a way to do that, but it really is because everybody has to have it. But it’s not something that everyone understands and then they get frustrated with it. So for me, when someone comes in it’s about how can I help them, how can I make their day batter, how can I make that process easier for them? And I can do that through insurance. Whether that’s a life policy to make sure they are taken care of, their kids are taken care of, or help them to find something about their home to make their plan cheaper so they can afford it. It’s just coming up with a plan with them that’s going to work for their lives and getting to know that person along the way.”

Originally from Uniontown, Ripper moved to Pittsburg years ago for college, then went on to coach Girard High School basketball for 13 years. She said she’s looking forward to being a part of the Pittsburg community once again.

“I’m just really excited to be a part of the community again,” “My husband, kids and I lived in Pittsburg for several years so it’s not a new location, it’s like a coming home location. We’re just excited to get back involved with small businesses and community activities.”

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.