Our Story

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I started Team Elite Agency Marketing – TEAM – after 25 years in the insurance industry. I’ve had a diverse career, like a lot of people in this industry. I started out helping my brother when he was getting his Allstate agency off the ground back in the 90’s. Driving around Lake Oswego in my pickup with Buckwheat (the dog) in the back taking pictures of million dollar homes and new luxury vehicles. It was Lake O after all. 

When Doug's partner Randy decided to go independent, he asked me if I’d be interested in becoming an agent. Had never crossed my mind, but he was doing very well and at the time the contract was really good. Jim J (RIP) interviewed me and that was brutal. Really liked Jim, but it was obvious back then I wasn’t built for the corporate world. But somehow I got approved and off to Allstate school I went. First Seattle then good ol’ Northbrook. (There’s some stories there for sure but we’ll save those for another time, like a over beers at a conference!) 

I had some good years, some not so good years. I ultimately sold that agency when my daughter was born, started another a couple years later, but it was pretty obvious I wasn’t built to be an agent. I loved the “Game” and the the challenge of selling and building, but I'm just not built to deal with underwriting and the corporate way of doing business. Not a criticism, I certainly understand, especially now, why it’s necessary and part of making things run. I just prefer to work for the person that signs the check. 

Grew up working for owners and the blue collar mindset fits me better. So I started working for agents in different roles for a few years, including freelance and consulting projects that continues today. We moved to North Carolina in 2007 and had roles with Allstate and State Farm. I was working for an independent agency when my old Allstate manager in Oregon Kurt VS introduced me to Smart Choice. From 2012 to 2020 I was a Territory Manager for North Carolina. In 2021 I did a project for a friend at an insurtech, and that put me on a crazy ride with several companies, a caregiver app, a commercial rater, and a trucking MGA. 

I kept looking at different companies to either work or rep for. The six figure salaries weren’t out there anymore, and I really didn’t want to be beholden to one major income source, considering everything that's gone down the last couple of years. I know how to rep a lot of companies, Smart Choice had 50 – 60 carriers, brokers, MGA”s etc. I had to know and sell. 

Which brings us to now. While I was reluctant to go out full time on my own again, I was still talking to agents and hearing the same issues and challenges I heard for years. Truth is, agents like to bitch to me. Carriers, staff, claims, underwriting, spouses, you name it. I feel like a counselor or therapist sometimes, and I love it. They have someone to vent to without offending anyone, and it challenges me to find a solution. 

I’ve definitely had a diverse career, which I believe is unlike anyone in this industry. From CSR to agency owner to network manager, vendor and carrier rep, etc. I’ve worked in, on or with agencies in some capacity for over 2 decades. I’ve called 1,000’s of agents, visited at least 1,000 (over 100,000 miles!), managed hundreds, and worked with carriers, vendors, etc. I’ve met 1,000’s of industry professionals, and been lucky to know and be friends with some amazing people. 

I’ve seen the best of agencies, and watched others crash and burn. I’ve worked with mega agencies and lots of solo agents. Bottom line, I’ve seen the good, bad and ugly of the agency world. I’ve watched agencies grow from nothing to millions, invest in questionable services that explode growth, and seen proven programs gather dust on a shelf. I’ve seen timid, inexperienced producers turn into million dollar beasts. I’ve watched corporate studs try the agency gig and fail miserably. I’ve watched carriers lavish trips and goodies on agents and pull appointments on good agencies that have a down year. I haven’t seen it all. Yet. But I ‘ve seen and experienced more than most. 

Through it all I know how hard it is to be an agent and an agency owner. Especially the small and medium sized agency. The stress. The toll it takes, physically, mentally. The sacrifices. The highs and lows. It’s a noble profession, and I feel lucky to serve those with the guts and balls to accept this role. I believe I can best serve agencies at this point in my career by providing my expertise and experience to those agencies looking for a teammate to help ease a burden or take it to the next level. 

So I'm always searching for companies that honorably serve agencies with quality products and services, don’t break the bank, require major commitments from staff or changing existing processes. Truth is, every agency owner out there has rolled the dice on the latest and greatest marketing idea, program, guru, etc. Reality though is very few are implemented properly, get buy in from staff, or just cost too darn much money for the hopeful profitable returns. 

And more importantly, they take time from the agency owner. And we all know time is money. So, my solution works for both agents, agency owners, and service providers. My team and I partner with the companies at a price they can afford, and provide our expertise and experience to the partnership between them and the agencies. 

The partners we represent offer a variety of solutions. Every agency is unique, therefore their needs vary greatly. Prospecting, Marketing, Processing, Servicing Staffing. And on and on. We're blessed to serve agents and agencies committed to their success, willing to put in the work, and open to learning and growing as they advance their careers and businesses.  We look forward to helping you on your path to success and fulfillment.