About Us
Midwest Employee Benefits will customize medical insurance plans for both group benefits for employers and insurance coverage for individuals. Because we work with multiple providers, our staff researches the best options available for your business, which means you can attract new talent and retain valuable employees.
Dawn Knutson, ChHC, RHU, REBC, CLTC
Employee Benefit Specialist, Principal
As principal of Midwest Employee Benefits, Dawn focuses her attention on helping group health clients of all sizes. She works with Fully-insured, Level-funded, and Self-funded cases; presents staff proposals and conducts Affordable Care Act education sessions. Dawn also assists with Medicare plans and Individual plans.
Growing up in a small town and working as a teenager until now, Dawn understands that benefits can be a huge impact on a person’s life. A benefit plan can be the difference between getting medical services you need or not. It can also save someone financially or destroy them if they aren’t in place.
Dawn is very passionate about assisting businesses and individuals make the best decision they can for their situation. She customizes plans and ideas then implements them, so they are beneficial to clients. She does not believe in forcing a one type approach, she believes in customizing the right idea and product to each client. Listening to what a client wants and providing it to them through knowledge and ideas then staying around to make sure it works for them and their employees is key to a successful plan.
Dawn continues to educate herself in the industry and her certifications are result of that. She also takes yearly training to re-certify in her industry. Dawn has been named one of the top producing agents by Wellmark for several years. Having client loyalty, sales growth, referrals and retention, Midwest Employee Benefits is growing despite the industry uncertainty.
Being in the field for over 28 years, Dawn considers her biggest accomplishment is having a happy life. She has been married to her husband for 28 years, has 4 happy children and loves being the Principal of the agency.
Outside the office, Dawn and her husband Loren spend time outdoors with their four children and pets. She enjoys several sports, including golf, reading, and sewing.
If she wasn’t in her current role, Dawn would still provide knowledge. Benefits are confusing, people use their plan when they need it and ignore it the rest of the time. Knowledge is so important even if it is not something that is needed every day.
Dawn does not have an ideal client since all business and individuals are potential clients. Everyone needs a strong benefit plan to protect them and make sure if something happens they are protected and their family members are too.
Certifications
- Chartered Health Care Consultant
- Registered Health Underwriter
- Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
- Certified Long Term Care
Professional Awards
- Hall of Fame Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Golden Circle Award Winner (7 years)
- Promise Award Winner 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
- Agent of Year Small Group South Dakota for Wellmark 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022
- LPRT Qualification: Leading Producers Round Table 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
- Distinguished Service Award
- Group Benefits Platinum Privileged Partner with Principal Life Insurance Company 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
- Elite Circle of Champions for Marketplace
Professional Affiliations
- Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
- Center Sphere
- Volunteers at several non-profits
- Latchkey Board President
Danielle Dykes
Individual & Small Group Specialist
Danielle works primarily with small group clients, individual health clients, and Medicare clients. Her responsibilities include processing individual quotes, applications, and renewals; marketplace enrollments; and putting together our company newsletter.
Danielle is most passionate with helping each client find a solution or product that best fits their needs and most complimented on being timely, organized and accurate. Personally, she is most passionate about her family.
She has been in the health insurance world for 10 years and has a degree in financial services. She is always helping clients with the everyday changes in health care. She is so good at what she does that current clients refer their family and friends to us.
Danielle, her husband Eric and their two sons, Gunner and Drake, enjoy spending time with family, including their dog Scout, as well as hunting, long range shooting and baking.
Education
- Associates Degree in Financial Services, Southeast Technical Institute
Professional Affiliations
- Business Network International
Alyvia Trumm
Individual & Small Group Specialist
Alyvia specializes in serving small group, individual health, and Medicare clients. She meets directly with clients to share her expertise in group benefits and assists with plan reviews, plan creation, enrollment meetings, and renewal evaluations.
In her role, Alyvia prepares quotes, processes applications and renewals, and manages marketplace enrollments. Her strong attention to detail and commitment to exceptional service ensure that every client experiences a smooth and supportive process from start to finish.
A lifelong resident of Canton, South Dakota, Alyvia graduated from Canton High School and earned a degree in Business Entrepreneurship from Lake Area Technical College. Her education provided a solid foundation in business operations, client relations, and strategic problem-solving—skills she applies daily to help clients find the right insurance solutions for their needs. Alyvia is based in Watertown, South Dakota, where she serves as a trusted resource for both new and existing clients.
Known for her outgoing personality and genuine connection with others, Alyvia is a true people person who values building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Reece, as well as friends and family. She loves the outdoors and can often be found fishing, golfing, or spending weekends at the river.
Kenzie Hose
Account Executive
Kenzie joined Midwest Employee Benefits in October 2025 as an Account Executive. Currently, she supports the Group Admin Team by assisting with health plan renewals, new group quotes, enrollments, terminations, and COBRA. Kenzie collaborates with Sales Executives to prepare documents for meetings and works with clients providing excellent customer service and to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Kenzie is a recent graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health in May 2025. She is excited to be helping clients by supporting their financial well-being through customized benefits solutions. Kenzie is eager to grow in her role and continue finding ways to support businesses and individuals with their benefit needs.
Kenzie is from New Ulm, MN, where she enjoys spending time with my friends and family, including her golden retriever, Oakleigh. She has one younger sister staying in Marshall, MN where she goes to college at Southwest Minnesota State University. Kenzie moved to Sioux Falls in May 2025 and enjoys going fishing and golfing with her boyfriend. She also loves cooking and baking, watching NFL football, and following college volleyball.
Brayden Oakland
Account Executive
Brayden Oakland joined Midwest Employee Benefits in October 2024 as an Account Executive. In his role, he provides dedicated support to both new and existing clients by assisting with billing inquiries, handling client communications, and ensuring a seamless benefits experience. Brayden also builds and maintains customized EASE enrollment platforms for clients, processes all EASE administrative changes, and assists clients with generating requested reports. In addition, he is responsible for processing quotes, preparing presentations, submitting applications, and managing group enrollments and changes.
Brayden has a genuine passion for helping clients navigate their insurance needs and takes pride in delivering prompt, knowledgeable, and personalized service.
Originally from Canton, Brayden now resides in Sioux Falls and is committed to continuing his professional growth in the health insurance industry. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, and watching sports.
Tony Bucholz
Account Executive
Tony joined Midwest Employee Benefits in April 2025 as an Account Executive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Prior to joining Midwest Employee Benefits, he spent 12 years as a Client Relationship Executive at Avera Health Plans, where he developed extensive experience in client services and benefits management.
In his current role, Tony manages a variety of client-focused responsibilities, including processing group enrollments, making updates to insurance accounts, preparing quotes for group health plans, handling renewals, and guiding clients through the claims and billing processes. He takes pride in supporting clients with all aspects of their insurance needs and building strong, lasting relationships.
Outside of work, Tony enjoys spending time with family at the lake cabin during the summer and golfing whenever possible.
Jill Krutsch
Office Manager
Jill has been with Midwest Employee Benefits since 2013 and brings with her a wealth of experience in the area of Accounting, Payroll and Business Management. Her background includes Accounting, Payroll and Human Resources while owning and managing a business for 20 years; and working as HR Generalist/Payroll Administrator for a large manufacturing company.
Jill’s primary responsibilities are Accounting, Commissions, Payroll, Office management and general support to the agency’s Account Executives and Sales staff. She assists in the development and implementation of the agency policies and procedures; Chiropractor Association administration; maintenance of computer programs and general IT support. Jill is fully dedicated to facilitating the growth and success of the agency.
Jill lives in Sioux Falls with her husband Bryon. They enjoy traveling, attending concerts, watching sports, being outdoors, fishing, hiking, golfing, riding bike and spending time with family and friends.
Education
- Accounting Degree
Professional Affiliations
- SESHRM