Meet Our Team - Paragon Investments, LLC

Management

Chris Haverkamp

President

785-338-4114
Chris.haverkamp@myparagonmail.com

Native to Northeast Kansas, Mr. Haverkamp attributes his initial interest in the financial market to his father. Mr. Haverkamp and his father began hedging agriculture products, which were raised on their family farm, in the 1970’s to help secure pricing structure for their operation. With a degree in Grain Science / Management from Kansas State University, Mr. Haverkamp has worked directly with and for several corporations in research, logistics, and origination of commodity products.

Among these are Continental Grain, Kansas Wheat Commission, National Livestock Association, Kice Industries, and Land ‘O Lakes. Mr. Haverkamp is a regular guest analyst on both radio and television programs throughout the Midwest and also provides fundamental and technical research for Bloomberg, DTN, Dow Jones, The Wall St. Journal, CNN and CNBC as well as several other local and regional news syndicates. Mr. Haverkamp sat on the board of directors for the NIBA (National Introducing Brokers Association) in Chicago for five years and on the National Futures Association’s nominating committee for one year. Mr. Haverkamp began trading in 1987 and founded Paragon in 1996 with the help of his wife, Tracey.

Mr. Haverkamp continues to provide consulting services for individual producers, livestock operations, grain processors, and individual investors as well as holding the title of CEO for Paragon.

Eric Osterhaus

Vice-President

785-338-4113
eric.osterhaus@myparagonmail.com

Eric’s interest in the commodity and Ag-Risk Industry was first derived during his childhood. Eric was raised on a small family farm in Northeast Kansas where his parents raised cattle and whose father also worked at the local grain elevator. This background provided him the first-hand experience of the daily rewards and risks that the typical agricultural producer faces. Eric earned a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Emporia State University. Eric spent 11 years working in the Financial Risk management sector as a part owner of an Insurance and Brokerage Company.

Eric provides advisory services for individual livestock and grain producers, grain merchandising activities and individual investors.

Your Advisors

Aaron
Sommer
AJ
Jones
Amy
Bahner
Brad
Keller
Brian
Holder
Darin
VanVactor
Derrick
Hermesch
Jacob
Hertzog
Jake
McCall
Jamey
Kohake
Kody
Winterscheidt
Matt
Kramer
Mitch
Duer
Ryan
Broxterman
Tanner
Berning
Trevor
Domazet
Walt
Breitinger

Aaron Sommer

Cash Grain Customer Representative

785-338-9631
aaron.sommer@myparagonmail.com

Aaron Sommer grew up in Kearney, Missouri on a small alfalfa farm and cow/calf operation. He studied Agricultural Business at Kansas State University, and by working during college for a professor as a research assistant and ranch hand, developed a real passion for agriculture.

He worked as a merchandiser for a grain company in several locations across Kansas before coming to Paragon. He is now a cash grain customer representative for Paragon and helps our clients sell their grain at the best possible values.
AJ Jones

AJ Jones is one of Paragon’s most experienced brokers and has been in the commodity futures business for nearly 30 years. AJ’s expertise is clearly defined in the agricultural sector as he aggressively helps producers in both livestock and grain hedging. AJ’s contacts in the meatpacking industry and grain export business have helped him maintain a pulse on the cash market which help him translate this information to the futures markets. AJ also has extensive knowledge in the financial sector where he assists in financial planning and risk management of affluent investors.

To schedule a conference with AJ, please contact his email address (aj.jones@myparagonmail.com) or phone him directly at 620-765-4911.
Amy Bahner

Office & HR Manager

785-338-9604
amy.bahner@myparagonmail.com

Amy Bahner, a native of Silver Lake, graduated from Kansas State University and later earned her MBA with a Human Resources Management emphasis. Amy comes to Paragon with extensive experience in the financial industry. She began her career in HR at Waddell & Reed in Shawnee Mission, KS and worked there for 11 years before serving as Director of HR for Advisors Excel, LLC in Topeka for almost 5 years.

Amy joined Paragon in early 2016 and resides in Silver Lake with her husband Derek and two daughters, Avery & Ashlyn.
Brad Keller

Brad is the branch manager of the Humphrey, NE branch office.

(402) 920-5071
brad.keller@myparagonmail.com
Brian Holder

Advisor

785.338.9600
brian.holder@myparagonmail.com

Brian Holder grew up in Silver Lake, Kansas where he still resides with his wife and four children. Brian attended Kansas State University where he studied business management and finance. Brian has over 20 years of experience in business marketing and management. His knowledge of technical trading led him to Paragon where he has incorporated his skills in management and trading to successfully help producers hedge their risk and develop effective marketing strategies.
Darin VanVactor

Advisor

785.338.9602
darin.vanvactor@myparagonmail.com

Darin VanVactor was raised in the farming community of Stanberry, MO. He worked his way through college including time as a farm hand. After receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from Northwest Missouri State University, Darin went to work in the corporate risk management industry for 10 years.

Weary from the corporate world, Darin sought to help others in the agricultural sector and opted to settle his family in his wife’s hometown of Silver Lake, KS. This move brought him to Paragon where he is now a Series 3 licensed commodities broker. Armed with his risk management experience, Darin is looking forward to creating custom solutions utilizing futures, options, and hedging strategies to improve his clients bottom line.
Derrick Hermesch

Advisor

785.338.9605
derrick.hermesch@myparagonmail.com

Derrick Hermesch grew up on a small farm outside of Goff, KS. Derrick graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Eventually, his passion for studying the markets and a desire to resume an active role in the agricultural world led him to Paragon. He is currently a Risk Management Consultant and Investment Advisor in his role at Paragon and has been since 2011.
Jacob Hertzog

Advisor

785-338-9614
jacob.hertzog@myparagonmail.com

Jacob Hertzog grew up on the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. Growing up, Jacob developed an interest in the markets, commodities, and the global economy. Jacob’s interest in how the world works evolved into a passion and led to a degree in International Affairs and Chinese from Florida State. Intrigued by the ever-changing world of commodities, he attained his Series 3 certification and worked in the Chicago Board of Trade prior to joining Paragon as a Risk Management Consultant, working with producers to develop effective marketing strategies.
Jake McCall

Risk Management

(540) 416-3347

Jake.mccall@myparagonmail.com

Jake McCall grew up on a purebred Angus cattle operation in Greenville, VA. Being deeply invested in production ag, he pursued a degree in Animal Science at Kansas State where he came into contact with opportunities centered around the global markets. After graduating Jake worked in cattle sale management and developing the family herd at home. In 2022 he joined the Paragon team and is a Series 3 licensed commodity broker and insurance agent working to help farmers and ranchers manage risk for their operation.
Jamey Kohake

Advisor

785.338.4111
jamey.kohake@myparagonmail.com

For more than 15 years, Jamey Kohake has advised grain and livestock producers on price trends, cash grain analysis and marketing strategies. His technical and fundamental analysis is highly regarded and can be heard on several national radio programs and seen in multiple print publications.
Kody Winterscheidt

Advisor

785.338.9601
kody.winterscheidt@myparagonmail.com

Kody Winterscheidt was raised on a farm in Northeast Kansas, where he grew up surrounded by production agriculture. Kody was always intrigued by the ever changing world of agriculture and its many ups and downs. A desire in the commodity markets and risk management soon developed. His interests in agriculture found him at Kansas State University, where he attained a degree in Agriculture. Kody currently holds his Series 3 (Commodity Brokerage License). His understanding of the agriculture industry and education help give him a personalized, progressive approach to the markets. He is currently working to expand Paragon’s grain merchandising abilities as well as, advisory services to individual grain and livestock producers looking to hedge their production and manage risk.
Matt Kramer

Advisor

785.338.4112
matt.kramer@myparagonmail.com

Growing up on a family farm in Northeast Kansas is how Matt developed his interest in the commodity markets. Matt holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University. Through study and hands-on experience Matt is proficient in developing the hedging strategies that allow producers to maximize their return on their operation while also reducing price risks. Matt is one of Paragon’s most experienced brokers, with a Series 3 (Commodity Brokerage License) and over 10 years of trading experience. If you are a producer looking to manage your risk or a speculator looking for professional investment advice, Matt is here to help you succeed.
Mitch Duer

Advisor

785-338-9608
mitchell.duer@myparagonmail.com

Mitch Duer

Mitch grew up on a ranch near Onaga, KS. Growing up in production agriculture, Mitch understood the importance of risk management from an early age.

After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, he joined the Paragon team. Mitch is a Series 3 licensed commodity broker, who specializes in helping grain and livestock producers hedge production and manage their risk.
Ryan Broxterman

Advisor

785.338.4110
ryan.broxterman@myparagonmail.com

Ryan Broxterman was raised on a farm in Northeast Kansas. Growing up on the farm Ryan developed his interest in the futures markets. Wanting to pursue a career as a commodity broker he obtained a degree from Kansas State University in the field of Agricultural Economics. As a student at Kansas State Ryan gained extensive knowledge of the futures markets and different hedging strategies. Along with the education Ryan received from Kansas State University he has 5 years of personal experience trading the markets. Whether you are a speculator looking to invest in the market or a hedger looking to manage your risk, Ryan can help you achieve your goals.
Tanner Berning

Associate Risk Manager

(620) 952-0904

tanner.berning@myparagonmail.com

Tanner Berning is an associate risk manager and holds a Series 3 Commodity brokerage license. He helps producers with physical cash gain trade as well as risk management planning.

Tanner’s passion for agriculture operations and farm management stems from Lakin, Kansas, where he worked on his family’s grain and cow/calf farming operation. He studied Milling Science & Management at Kansas State University and gained experience working with Cargill’s Commercial Flour Milling group before moving back to Kansas to assume the role of facility manager for a commercial grain company close to where he grew up.
Trevor Domazet

Trevor began his career in the futures industry while attending Purdue University. He formerly served as a floor clerk at the Chicago Board of Trade for private traders, monitoring and tracking trades in the financial markets.

He eventually became Head Floor Clerk and Broker Group Manager, organizing broker and floor clerks while filling orders on the floor.

For ten years, Trevor traded commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, copper, precious metals, corn, and beans for his own account.

Trevor joined Paragon in Valparaiso as a Series 3 broker in 2019.

While not watching clients’ trading positions, Trevor enjoys coaching his two sons in soccer and football – the two sports he excelled at prior to entering the “pits” in Chicago.
Walt Breitinger

Four decades of following markets, along with a perpetual love of commodities trading, has earned Walt Breitinger a place as one of the most experienced brokers in the industry.

Walt began trading soybeans and silver in 1970 while completing his education at Valparaiso University. He gained considerable insight and experience as a licensed broker for 40 years working directly under Harold Heinold in the 1970’s, as a floor trader at the Chicago Board of Trade, and as Vice President of Commodity Investments at A.G. Edwards & Sons from 1982-2009.

For over 18 years, Walt taught his method of options on futures trading at Purdue University Calumet, Indiana University Northwest, and for multiple farm groups and conventions. His comments on the markets have been featured on radio, TV, and dozens of newspapers including Barron’s and USA Today. When Walt isn’t watching the markets, he enjoys whitewater kayaking and soccer.

You can reach Walt at 800-411-3888 or via e-mail at Walt.Breitinger@myparagonmail.com