President, Buckner Colorado

Lance Butler

Lance joined Buckner in 2017, bringing with him over 25 years of insurance experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and has experience in various sectors within the insurance industry.

Lance enjoyed playing sports as a child and considers his kids to be his greatest accomplishment in life. Carmine’s on Penn is his favorite restaurant and Hawaii is his favorite place for a getaway.

SELECT ACCOUNT SPECIALIST

Shawn Bernstein

Shawn joined Buckner in 2020 with over 7 years of insurance experience. After graduating from the Deans List with his Bachelor’s in History and Political Science, he joined the insurance industry. Shawn specializes in select commercial accounts.

Shawn grew up playing hockey and is a big sports fan – the NY Rangers and NY Mets are his favorite. His goal is to visit every baseball stadium and hockey arena in the country, but still has a way to go! His greatest accomplishment is marrying his beautiful wife and moving to Colorado to start a new life; in their free time, they enjoy traveling to historical places.

Trucking | Denver

Fabio Bravo

Fabio joined Buckner in 2013. He was previously involved in the banking and insurance industry since 2009. Fabio has a degree in Finance with an emphasis in International Business from Utah Valley University. Fabio specializes in the trucking industry and has received the Specialist in Transportation and Risk (STAR) designation from Great West Casualty, as well as the Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designation.

Originally from Brazil, Fabio speaks four languages fluently and enjoys working with customers from different backgrounds and ethnicities. Fabio enjoys working out and is an avid Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and competitor. During his time off, you will find him spending time with his wife and two kids or grappling with someone on the mats.

Property & Casualty | Denver

Barb Elsasser

Barb has more than 30 years of experience, joining the insurance industry in 1987. With Buckner, she specializes in trucking and general insurance. She earned an Associates degree from Northeastern Junior College and has acquired her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.

As a child, Barb loved horses and playing softball. In high school, she won Best Actress for a musical production—afterwards, she continued to sing for various events until she moved to Denver. She loves the movie White Christmas and her favorite restaurant to frequent is YaYa’s. Her greatest accomplishment in life is raising two Marine sons—both have returned home safely.

Trucking | Denver

Karl Elsasser

Karl has 40+ years of insurance knowledge and expertise. Throughout that time, he has worked primarily on commercial property & casualty accounts and has largely specialized in the trucking industry. Currently he is on the Board of Colorado Motor Carriers Association.  Karl received his Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Today, Karl holds both Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and AIU designations. He was also a co-owner of a successful agency, which was later sold to Buckner.

As a youth, Karl was heavily involved in sports including baseball, basketball, cross country and track. Today his primary sporting activities are golf and skiing. Something that many people may not know about Karl, is that he has lived in 17 different locals including both coasts and a brief stint in England with most of his working career in the Mountain West States.

Property & Casualty | Denver

James Gurule

James joined Buckner in 2020 with eight plus years of insurance experience. He entered the industry after graduating with his double Bachelor’s in Psychology and Journalism. James specializes in all types of commercial lines coverage –  focusing in construction, manufacturing, habitational/real estate, and auto dealers.

In his free time, James loves to play sports, go camping and hiking with is Great Danes Groot & Stella, play golf, boat, snowboard and spending time with family. He is passionate about helping his community; he primarily does this through helping kids with similar upbringings as his own, see their potential and learn how to overcome adversity. While he is working, James enjoys listening to classical music.

Property & Casualty | Denver

Colin Kresock

Colin joined in the insurance industry in 2005, specializing in private equity insurances including manufacturers, distributors, IT, and medical equipment.  Prior to joining the industry, he received both his Bachelor’s degree and his MBA.

As a youth, Colin’s hobbies included landscaping and working on small engines. Colin and his wife have had the privilege of raising their two, successful children, which he feels has been one of his greatest accomplishments. Today, Colin considers himself a frustrated golfer who loves to read, as well as a lifelong learner.

Management Liability Specialist

Sara Otter

Sara has been working in the insurance industry since 1997. Her specialty is corporate malpractice insurance (Directors & Officers Liability, Employment Practices, Fiduciary Liability, Crime, Kidnap & Ransom, and Data Security & Privacy Liability). Sara placed her first Cyber/Data Breach policy back in 2002 when it was still called Technology Services.

Sara has worked with many carriers and has seen the how the coverage has evolved and changed. She has placed Cyber/Data Breach coverage for small non-profit companies, start-up tech firms, publicly traded venture capital firms, national credit unions, and everything in-between. Educating clients in today’s landscape is one of her passions.

Trucking | Denver

Toni Peconi

Toni has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, starting her career in 1995. Toni specializes in Construction, Healthcare, and Trucking industries.

During her youth, Toni’s favorite hobby was playing Volleyball. She enjoys watching romantic comedies, Wedding Date, being her favorite. Toni is a people person at heart and is often surrounded by good friends and family. Her greatest accomplishment has been raising her two children.

Property & Casualty | Denver

Mark Polk

Mark joined the insurance industry in 2009 and brings more than 10 years of insurance experience to Buckner. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Mark began his career building a Colorado-based construction company with his brother. During his time running operations, Mark personally experienced many of the challenges business owners face: including OSHA investigations, DOT audits, and remaining compliant with ever-changing government regulations. Mark is both OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certified. With his experience and certifications, he brings a unique perspective that encompasses managing business risks and costs. Mark is constantly learning and growing through active participation on various local construction and transportation associations, and attends ongoing insurance continued education classes. The culmination of these experiences has helped Mark achieve excellent client retention throughout his career. Mark’s main focus at Buckner will be on the construction industry.

Mark’s hobbies include fishing and most outdoor activities. He is most passionate about his family and enjoys spending his spare time with his wife and two sons.

Property & Casualty/Partner | Denver

Troy Sibelius

Troy has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years. He holds Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations from The National Alliance, and was selected as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA) in 2010. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University and Environmental Design Studies at the University of Colorado. Troy’s industry specialties include landscape architects and contractors, architects & engineers, landscape industry wholesalers and manufacturing, transportation, and freight forwarders.

Since his youth, Troy has enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing and still finds great satisfaction in being outdoors where he can golf, ski, fly-fish, and hunt.  His family has a small ranch located in Kremmling, Colorado where he often retreats.  Troy also enjoys teaching others and has had the pleasure of being a guest speaker at multiple risk management programs and university classes.

Property & Casualty | Denver

Zach Soper

Zach Soper graduated with a bachelor’s of science in Economics and is excited to join the insurance industry at The Buckner Company.

Zach is a big sport fan, but especially when he is cheering for the Utes. Not only a passionate sports fan, Zach also enjoys playing music. Zach considers his greatest accomplishment to be his children.

Property & Casualty | Denver

Tom Terry

Property & Casualty/Partner | Denver

Dustin Thome

Dustin graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication and entered the insurance industry in 2002. He specializes in habitational and commercial property, including apartments, associations, retail centers, and warehouses.

Dustin was the captain of the Cherry Creek High School football and basketball teams and went on to play both sports in college. Among his favorite movies are Hoosiers, Ace Ventura, Braveheart, Pulp Fiction and Forest Gump. He is the father of 3 amazing kids and husband to a beautiful wife.