By Robert Williams

Editor

Solberg Insurance announced the addition of Morgan Solberg as a licensed insurance agent at the Frazee location earlier in July and will be moving into a new office in Pelican Rapids, along with taking over the final open spot in the downtown Frazee retail building later this year.

“I’ve been overdue on hiring for a while,” Brad Solberg said.

The need to add staff is directly related to adding a new location after the Solbergs purchased the Nettestad Insurance Agency in Pelican Rapids. The former owner Mike Nettestad is retiring after 43 years in the industry. The sale officially closes on Friday, Aug. 1.

“It’s really expanded what we already have,” said Solberg. “It’s allowing us to expand what we’re doing, but also specialize.”

The move is going to allow Brad more time to continue pursuing large, commercial accounts in and outside of Minnesota.

Morgan has a background in health with a doctorate from the Mayo Clinic. She is licensed in both Minnesota and North Dakota and will be offering a full range of insurance services including: Life, Health, Medicare, Commercial, Home, Auto and Annuities.

Brad will also continue his role in the full lifecycle of providing retail and liability insurance.

The couple plans to work back-and-forth at both locations and Morgan also teaches Tae Kwon Do classes out of Breckenridge on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which will help shape her schedule.

“Effectively, we’re going to split 50/50ish,” said Brad.

Much of the early work during the transition is announcing the change to the carriers that have been working with Nettestad.

“That part has been kind of intense,” said Morgan.

“To the customers, they don’t really notice anything; it’s absolutely seamless,” said Brad.

The idea to purchase the Pelican firm came in the fall of 2024 when Brad started attending an early morning study in Pelican Rapids and he saw the office on his commute. He had never met Nettestad.

“I thought about it; I had driven by it,” said Brad. “One day, I just randomly stopped in, introduced myself, and I just said, ‘I don’t know if it’s something you’ve ever thought or considered, but if you ever were I’d sure be interested.’” 

Solberg stated he was willing to keep the Pelican location going and that Nettestad could stay on board as long as he wanted.

“He’s been gracious enough to help us with the transition, but as soon as he can he wants to be done,” said Brad.

Nettestad pondered the offer over the winter and at the same time Morgan was growing tired of the healthcare field and her commute to Fargo. 

“I don’t know if I ever saw myself leaving therapy; I’m very good at my job and I like going to work every day, but I don’t know, 10 years from now, if this is what I want to do,” she said.

Morgan got licensed and made the decision to come on board.

Brad even tried to talk Morgan out of it.

“There are a lot of smart and talented people that jump into insurance and immediately they’re no, it’s not for me,” he said.  

With Morgan in at employee number two, plans are to add a third employee in early 2026. Morgan is working on collecting and organizing the processes that will allow the third employee to come on board and get up to speed quickly.

The new office in Pelican Rapids is located at 19 1st Ave NE, while the current Frazee location will be open for the next month at 103 N Lake St.

The Forum will have more coverage on the Solberg move to the downtown Frazee building in early September.