Prior to joining the RFME agency in 2004, John spent 12 years in local banking with Bank One/Chase. As a Bank One Mortgage Banker/Vice President, he was consistently named to their President’s Club as one of the country’s top loan officers. During his time at RFME John has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation which is reserved for insurance agents who have taken over 100 hours of advanced training and passed a rigorous, 5-part written exam.
A third-generation Mansfield native, John graduated from Malabar High School in 1987 and went on to Ohio Wesleyan University where he received his degree in 1991. During his Junior year he studied abroad at the London School of Economics. He is a very active member of the community, serving on several boards: The Richland County Foundation (past Chair), Catalyst Life Services (Chair), The University Club Education Foundation, Mansfield Memorial Homes endowment advisory Board, and The Rehab Center. There have been other vital roles he has filled for the community such as being the former Trustee for Mansfield and Richland County Public Library as well as serving on the Mansfield City Schools Financial Advisory Committee. John is a member of the Economic Club of Richland County and a “Pillar” with United Way. In addition to serving the community he also serves the insurance industry is a member of the leadership group of Keystone Insurers Group, “Emerging Leaders” in Ohio and nationally.
In 2015, John was a recipient of the Extraordinary Leadership Award from the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce. This same year he was also awarded the Distinguished Service award from The University Club of Mansfield.
Kim A. Foster, CPCU – CFO
Kim Foster is a life-long resident of Mansfield and a 1976 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Shortly after graduating, Kim began his insurance career with Powell-Foster-Miller which would later join forces with what is now RFME. Kim has 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and has attained the CPCU (Certified Property Casualty Underwriter) designation.
Kim’s community activities include service on the boards of the Red Cross, Habitat For Humanity, The current President of Mansfield Memorial Homes and the North Central State College Foundation. He is the past president of Mansfield Rotary and the Richland Academy of the Arts.
Rick Roby, Executive Vice President, Partner
A native of Central Ohio, Rick grew up in Mansfield graduating from Mansfield St. Peters and the Miami University. He joins RFME after spending 7 years in the financial services industry providing guidance in all areas of personal finance, including asset management, retirement, insurance, and estate planning.
Since joining RFME in 2012, Rick has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor designation.
Outside of the office, Rick is active in the community serving as the Treasurer & Finance Chair for the Mansfield Art Center and a board director for both Mansfield Area YMCA and the Richland County outreach hub. Rick is also an active supporter of the Richland County United way, a member of the Richland County Foundation and the Richland County University Club.
John S. Roby, Director
John S. Roby is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the Case Western Reserve Law School. Prior to beginning his career in insurance, he was a Special Agent for the FBI. He joined his father in what was then the Roby Krause Insurance Agency in the mid 70’s. John has been and remains extremely active in the community. Among the boards that he has served or is serving on are those of the MedCentral Health System, Friendly House, Ohio State University Mansfield, Richland County Chamber of Commerce, Richland Performing Arts, Junior Achievement and the Mayor’s Police Task Force.
He was also a director of Bank One Mansfield and was U.S. Congressman Mike Oxley’s representative to the White House Conference on Small Business. He is also a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio.
Eugene P. Earick, Director
After graduating from Mansfield Sr. High, Gene Earick went on to Wittenberg University in Springfield where he received a degree in business and finance. His first job out of college was as a teacher and coach in the Mansfield City School system. He joined his father’s insurance agency in 1972, becoming owner/president in 1980. A few years later the Earick Agency merged with the then Roby Krause Insurance Agency to form Roby-Krause-Earick.
Gene has been and is very active in the community, serving on school, service and business boards. He chaired the 1.8 million dollar restoration of Arlin Field, one of the premier athletic facilities in the state. His activities within the insurance industry include a term as president of the Independent Agents of Ohio as well as being elected State National Director representing Ohio Insurance Agents in Washington D.C. His hobbies are golf and tennis and spending quality time with his family which includes 6 grandchildren.
Bart Ingram
Bart Ingram, brings with him over 10 years of financial planning and insurance experience. Most recently he worked with Fifth Third Bank as a Securities Investment Representative.
Bart received a bachelors degree in Family Financial Management from the Ohio State University, graduating in 2005. He also obtained an MBA in Finance through Mount Vernon University in 2013.
Born and raised in Shelby, he lives there with his wife, their two daughters and son. Bart is licensed to sell property and casualty as well as life and health insurance and looks forward to working with RFME’s current clients as well as developing his own list of insureds.
Ashley Wise
Ashley Wise is a graduate of both Lexington High School and The Ohio State University. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she was actively serving in the Ohio Army National Guard.
Through nearly a decade as an active service member, Ashley served in multiple hurricane relief efforts within the United States as well as a tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Ashley ended her final enlistment in 2018 as a non-commissioned officer.
Ashley joined Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance Agency in 2018, bringing with her a number of years of property and casualty insurance experience. As a licensed agent, Ashley specializes in both commercial and personal areas of insurance.
Ashley is excited to work with current and future clients of RFME and hopes to bring new perspectives through her experiences.
Mark Hartsough
Mark has been a licensed insurance agent since 2003. In 2007 he opened his own independent insurance agency, Sterling Insurance, in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. From that location he placed and serviced the personal and business insurance needs of thousands of clients. He will continue to handle those relationships as well as work with the insureds that RFME has already developed in Central Ohio.
RFME has long been regarded as Mid-Ohio’s insurance leader and Mark will bring that same experience and expertise to the Central Ohio area. He’ll have access to all of the resources that the Mansfield office utilizes to maintain its leadership role. He will also bring Western Reserve Insurance with him to add to RFME’s long list of insurance providers.
Valeria Ashcraft
Valeria Ashcraft is a resident of Lexington, Ohio and a 2001 graduate of the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts. Valeria joined the team at Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance Agency in May 2016 as a licensed Insurance Agent. She enjoys getting to know new clients, building and maintaining relationships with current ones and providing Insurance services with integrity and honesty.
Before becoming an Insurance agent in 2013, Valeria was employed with the Mansfield YMCA where she was involved with coordinating the Membership Department and participated as a liaison for the Brighten a Christmas and Open Doors Scholarship Programs. She and her family are the owners of Ohio Dreams Action Sports Summer Camp located in Butler, Ohio where Valeria is the Director of Operations and “Camp Mom”.
Valeria is active in the Miss Mansfield scholarship program where she was a judge in 2014 and Judges Chair in 2016. She is a graduate of the Leadership Unlimited class of 2015 and enjoys being involved as a volunteer instructor for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy and Richland County Transportation Board. Valeria has a passion for cooking and friends and enjoys spending time with her husband Chris and two beautiful children, Hannah and Landen.