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Debbie Buckner

Senior Vice President of Operations

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Debbie Buckner
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Debbie Buckner is a Senior Vice President of Operations for Horton’s Risk Advisory Solutions. In this role, she provides strategic direction and overall operational leadership for clients and employees. She manages and is accountable for all operational staff and builds internal bench strength.

Debbie works closely with Division Sales and Operations leadership to ensure that both work harmoniously to prioritize the client experience. She is also responsible for developing the department’s divisional profitability as it pertains to operational functions, including payroll-to-revenue and cost-to-serve modeling. She uses technology as a competitive advantage and implements innovation-based solutions aligned with the agency’s growth plans.
 
“We need to be promise keepers, “ she said. “Established processes and service standards are meant to provide the highest level of exceptional service to our clients, not to be roadblocks to our teams.”
 
A seasoned veteran in the industry, Debbie has over 25 years of insurance experience managing and leading commercial lines operations and teams. Over the last 15 years, she has led the commercial lines’ operations for CHS Insurance and USI. Most recently, she led USI’s $80 million Mountain Central Region, overseeing the commercial lines (middle market and select) and surety teams in 12 offices throughout Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.
 
“Too often, I see service teams become transactional in their interaction with clients,” she said. “It’s about finding the right balance in using technology that creates efficiencies and capacity for our teams, allowing them to focus more on the client experience and deepening those relationships.”
 
Debbie earned her B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Management and Leadership from Capella University, and she has her AIS, CIC and CRM designations. She has served on the board of the regional NetVu Chapter for 10 years, including her role as President and Chapter MVP.  
 
Debbie and her family reside in Cottage Grove, MN, and they enjoy traveling, crafting, movies, live theater and rock concerts.

Fact File:

Education
  • Capella University (Minneapolis, MN) – Bachelor of Science (B.S.); Business Management & Leadership
Professional Designations & Licenses
  • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
  • Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
  • Minnesota Property/Casualty Insurance License
Professional Background
  • The Horton Group: Senior Vice President of Operations (2022 – Present)
  • USI Insurance Services, LLC: Executive Vice President of Operations, Mountain Central Region (2018 – 2022)
  • CHS Insurance Services, LLC: Director of Operations (2002 – 2018)
Awards & Recognitions
  • Top 500 Most Powerful Leaders in 2020
  • President and Chapter MVP of Minnesota NetVU Chapter
Industry & Community Involvement
  • WorkSmart R&D & Education Committee: Chairman
  • NetVU Regional User’s Group: President
  • Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer
  • Feed My Starving Children: Volunteer
  • Second Harvest: Volunteer