An Eye Towards Growth

What is your experience and career background?

 There's a saying in this industry that people don't choose insurance—insurance chooses you. Growing up, I never thought I’d go into the family business. My dad built an inspiring career and legacy in this industry, but I wasn’t sure it was for me when I was first starting out. I began my career in medical device sales. When I found myself on the road three to four nights a week away from my wife and young children, I wanted a different lifestyle. I ended up following in my dad’s footsteps and pivoted to the family business, and I haven’t looked back since. So I guess that familiar saying is true.

For twelve years before joining The Bank of San Antonio, I was with a national, corporate insurance company in their middle market department. I was focused on the healthcare industry, working accounts with healthcare facilities, doctors' groups, and large property risk.

A few years ago I knew that I was in need of an organizational change, because I didn't see myself growing into a management role with a large corporation. Thankfully, I didn't rush into anything and I took my time. Then I had a conversation with Katy Brooks (VP, Property and Casualty) about transitioning to The Bank of San Antonio Insurance Group, and I’m here now with a handful of former colleagues who have worked with my dad and me over the years. It’s like we’ve put the family back together.

What is your specialty professionally, and how do you serve your clients through your position at The Bank of San Antonio Insurance Group?

In my role as Vice President of Property and Casualty, I look forward to working with The Bank to bring new insurance solutions that help businesses with their risk mitigation needs, and deepen client relationships through collaboration with our banking partners.

How do you stay positive and motivated as you pursue goals in your industry?

There's a book that I love that's called Go for No. It's about changing your mindset when people tell you no, because the more no’s you get, the closer you are to getting a yes. I’ve learned over the years to embrace the no’s, because when you’ve had 15 or 20 people tell you no, it means you’re getting close to a yes.

 How do you approach partnership with your clients, through your mission to offer them the best service possible?

My approach with clients is not a one-way street. I don’t simply call them and say, "Can I quote your business?" My mission is to add value to their business, and to alleviate their pain points of potential risk. I work to serve my clients in a partnership that offers them sophisticated solutions to the issues they might face. I take the time to make sure I'm educated about our industry and it’s evolving environment. The end goal is to lower the cost of risk for my clients, and I take pride in stewarding them through that process for their specific situation.

What are your activities and hobbies outside of work?

 My family spends a lot of time outdoors together, whether on the lake water skiing, fishing, or in the mountains snow skiing. Personally, I am active with CrossFit, and I enjoy competing in tough mudders and half marathons. I give back to my community through volunteer work at my church. I also served as President of the Independent Insurance Association, which is something I am proud to share with my dad.

Which of our Bank values resonates most in your work, and why?

It's extremely refreshing to be joining a company whose values are integrity, service and ownership. They all resonate with me. First and foremost, integrity is a cornerstone in our industry. It's just a given. If you don't have integrity, then eventually you're going to fall, and you're not going to get where you want to go.

Ownership resonates with me because I believe there is unlimited opportunity here to contribute to The Bank’s growth. Eventually, I hope to take on more management and operation responsibilities, and I’d like to mentor new producers who are starting out in our industry.

Coming from a very large corporate environment that often felt stagnant, I am reinvigorated by the entrepreneurial, service-first culture that I have observed here, and I am motivated to strive for new goals with an eye towards growth.