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How has it helped you?
Being a member of UAHU and NAHU has been a tremendous help for me. It has allowed me to learn
much more about the industry as a whole. I have been involved in all aspects of the association. Serving as a
legislative chair has helped me understand the intricacies of the industry—what really makes it all tick. I
have been able to serve on committees with insurance carriers, the insurance department and other organizations, working on preserving this great industry. The one thing that I never expected was the opportunity
it has allowed me to rub shoulders with some of the great minds in this business. Although we are all competing, it has allowed me to learn from those who have been around a lot longer than me. I have formed
great bonds with great people. When I served as president of UAHU (coincidently on the 20th anniversary
of my dad’s year as president), it allowed me to work with many wonderful people who I would not have
met otherwise. Finally, as I believe in any aspect of life, whether it’s politics or this industry, if you are not
actively involved in making a difference, then you have no room to complain.
What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
This might come as a shock to many, but I love to golf. I love to spend time with my family; I have a wife
and four kids who keep me pretty busy. We love to spend time outdoors, whether it’s camping, hiking or
spending time on horseback. As long as it’s warm outside it doesn’t matter to me.
Do you participate in any community service efforts?
I am very active in my church and spend a lot of time volunteering and doing work with the church.
Does coaching and going to all of my kids activities count as charity? ;-)
Is there any advice you wish you had gotten when you first became an agent?
Getting started in this business can be a great challenge. Having a mentor is something that can be of
great value if used properly. I am thankful for the great mentor I had in my dad, I was lucky in that respect.
I have heard stories about the good old days when the insurance carriers used to have sales training for
their agents. That would have been the greatest help. Really learning how to sell, service and run an efficient agency is something that would be extremely helpful for a new agent. To have training courses in
those areas would be well worth it.
What do you think the future holds for insurance agents?
That’s the million-dollar question. I think that there will always be a role for insurance agents. If the carriers could have figured out how to operate without us, they would have long ago. We are a very valuable
part of the insurance equation. Our roles might change depending on government “intervention” and there
might be a weeding out of the agent population, but there will still be a need for good agents. HIU
