Getting to know An Henning, Chapple Insurance Group

At 32, Henning has tried a variety of careers with one common requirement: communication skills.

Her family immigrated from Vietnam in 1987 so she "was pretty much raised here." She wrote for the West High school newspaper, won a full-ride scholarship from a local advertising agency and graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in integrated marketing communications.

She owned a small gift shop in Towne East Square for a year, then worked as an employment specialist at Comcare community health services for four years before taking time off to start a family.

"A friend in insurance suggested I'd be really good doing insurance, so I got a license and took a shot," she said.

She worked for an independent agency and then AAA insurance before starting at Chapple at the beginning of this year.

"Some people think I'm silly or crazy for saying it, but I do enjoy insurance," she said. "I take some time to explain (to clients) how it works and what you're purchasing and when they finally get it, that's a great day."

Henning also works part-time as an interpreter. That skill helps in insurance as well.

"I like to provide services for everybody, but I do have a lot of Vietnamese folks that know me," she said. "They like the fact that I am bilingual, and I can explain their policies a little better."

Henning and her husband, Craig, a Wichita firefighter, have two children: Aemon, 6, and Arden, 3.

Joe Stumpe