Captaining an Independent Agency in Alaska With Susan Erickson 

• February 10, 2026

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet Susan Erickson, owner of P-W Insurance in Petersburg, Alaska. 

Before leading her agency, Susan Erickson spent seven years working as a deckhand on her husband Jeff’s commercial fishing boat, prior to starting a family and purchasing the insurance agency where she worked. Today, she leads her agency and team in serving their rural coastal community, helping clients navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of Alaska’s panhandle. 

“The geography is an opportunity because your reputation goes a long way,” Erickson says. “And if your office goes the extra mile for people, then the news spreads and you’ve got clients all over the state.” 

Throughout the episode, Erickson emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong, communal workplace culture and staying actively involved in the community—serving others beyond insurance alone. 

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.   

Erickson was also featured in the February issue of Independent Agent. Check out her interview or read the full issue online.