I began my Allstate career in the fall of October 1995 and this year will be 29 years with Allstate. It started in Southfield, Michigan, a small suburb of Detroit. When I decided to accept a position as an underwriter, I had no idea where it would take me. At the time, my only concern was making sure I had ample free time and money to buy a car—a Jeep Wrangler. Life moved ahead quickly and in the next three years I met my future wife at Allstate and my position as an underwriter was automated. I pivoted within the company and started a career in sales. I opened my own Allstate agency in 1997. In the early spring of 2000, my wife was expecting our first child, she was from Carmel and wanted to be closer to her mom, so we decided to move back to her hometown in the fall of 2000. It was a big change for me.
I started my Allstate agency over in Indiana. Having grown up in Michigan, I knew nothing about Indiana, and I knew no one. In a business that is mostly built on relationships, I was struggling. Business was tough and I almost quit several times. But I persevered and stuck to it. My big break came when I was invited to attend a Carmel Rotary luncheon. I knew instantly Rotary was for me and I made 150 new friends and connections. Rotarians are overall great people. I found my home and bond with the community.
A few years later, the former director of the Carmel Clay Public Library who was also a Rotarian asked me to join the board. I said yes immediately because I love libraries. Libraries played an important role in my life growing up and I loved the Carmel Library. The library became my sponsor for the Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) Class of 2020. It was important for me to be a part of the Class of 2020 because as a board member of the library I had to learn about Hamilton County, all the entities within the county, and how we all work together to run, grow, and build a community. HCLA was a wonderful experience.
While I was in HCLA, I was asked to join the OneZone Chamber of Commerce board. I had been a member for a long time, and the timing was right for me to join the board. OneZone is another organization I admire greatly for their mission to help the business community. A strong business network is one of the foundations needed for a community. A vibrant business sector provides the tax base and brings in high-paying jobs needed for our cities.
Eventually, one service opportunity led to another, and the more I served the more business came my way. I was able to slowly grow my Allstate business. Today, I love running errands or attending community events around town because I frequently run into my friends and clients. When I go to the bank, Meijer, Kroger, Menards, the dentist or doctor’s office, Monon Center, Christkindlmarkt, Monon Trail, Farmer’s Market, Carmelfest, cafes or restaurants, the library, high school, or my kids’ events, I see friends, colleagues, HCLA classmates, and clients.
HAMILTON CONNECTION
Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) and Invest Hamilton County have launched a new community ambassador program. The partnership, called HAMILTON CONNECTION will highlight the personal stories of HCLA alumni and allow those Connectors to help personalize the things that make Hamilton County a great place to live, work, learn, and thrive. Meet the Hamilton Connectors HERE. 