At Rathbun Insurance, our legacy is built on strong leadership and a commitment to our community. Today, we celebrate a monumental transition in our agency’s history—honoring David’s remarkable career and contributions while welcoming Laura Stoken as our new owner.

David Finkbeiner joined Rathbun Insurance in 2012 and became an owner in 2018, cementing his role as a key figure in the agency’s success. His leadership shone brightest during one of the most challenging moments in our history: the sudden and tragic loss of the late Paul Rathbun, a dear friend and fellow leader. David, alongside Ben stepped up next to lead the agency through that difficult time, providing stability and compassion when it was needed most.

Over the years, David’s dedication to our mission of "Being There Matters Most" has left an indelible mark on Rathbun Insurance. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping its success and unwavering commitment to our clients. Beyond his role at Rathbun Insurance, David’s contributions to the industry as a whole have been deep. A unique thing about David is when given the opportunity to teach the art of sales to the next generation of professionals, he lights up—and they light up too. His passion and dedication to quality and his hunger for sales have always been evident, but his work to ensure his clients and the next generation of insurance professionals fully understand what has been presented has been unwavering. 

As we celebrate David’s incredible journey, we are equally excited to welcome Laura Stoken into an ownership role. Laura becomes the first female owner in the agency’s history, reflecting Rathbun’s commitment to innovation and inclusion. Laura’s career history is marked by innovation, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to excellence. Before joining Rathbun Insurance, Laura served as the Director of Administration for Public Sector Consultants, a local non-partisan public policy consulting firm. There, her primary responsibilities included managing human resources, facilities, and technology. Previously Laura worked in state government, most recently as the manager of the Constituent Relations Division of the Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder.

Since becoming our Chief Operating Officer in January 2023, Laura has been instrumental in implementing forward-thinking strategies that have strengthened our operations, streamlined processes, and positioned Rathbun Insurance for sustainable growth. Her incredible planning skills, strategic mindset, and unwavering dedication to our team have made her an invaluable leader and a natural choice to take on ownership. 

For Rathbun Insurance- our connection to the community is a large part in what makes us, US!  As we look to the future with Laura's continued leadership, we also take a moment to honor David’s remarkable contributions. David has spent countless hours volunteering in the community, most notably as a Board Member of Strikeout Baseball, where he played a key role in bringing John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium to Ferris Park—just a short walk from our Rathbun office. His passion for community involvement mirrors the very values that define Rathbun Insurance.

David will continue this project, hosting board meetings in our newly renovated space into the future. We are grateful for his contribution and continued friendship. As he prepares to transition into retirement on March 31, 2025, David leaves behind a legacy of leadership, resilience, and friendship that will always be a cornerstone of our agency.

Laura’s deep commitment to community service makes her the perfect person to carry that legacy forward. Since moving to the greater Lansing area in 2011 with her husband, Jason, and their son, Brennan, she has embraced every opportunity to serve, from coaching her daughter Savannah’s teams to packing food at local community centers and serving on nonprofit boards. Her dedication to strengthening the community aligns seamlessly with Rathbun Insurance’s belief that Being There Matters Most.

This transition comes at a pivotal time for Rathbun Insurance, as we also prepare to reopen our newly renovated office at the corner of Saginaw and Pine in Lansing in April 2025. This $750,000 investment underscores our belief in the future of our agency and our community, reaffirming our commitment to Lansing for decades to come. 

Please join us in celebrating David’s remarkable legacy and welcoming Laura to her exciting new role. Together, we will continue to honor our mission of "Being There Matters Most" as we look toward a bright and promising future.