Sara Sheppard Pacifici, vice president, Sheppard Insurance GroupYears at company: 1.5 years
College:University of South Carolina, '07
Organizations:IIABA, PIA  What advice do you have about working with familymembers who also are in the insurance industry?
I am fortunate because my mother and I have a wonderfulrelationship, but even we can butt heads at the office. You have tofigure out when a conversation or interaction is between family andwhen it is as co-workers or as employee/employer. That is notalways clear cut, but if there is mutual respect, it all worksout. What skills do you think young agents will need in2011?
Innovation and creativity. Core businesspractices should always be respected; however, in this day and age,young agents will have to be creative in their pursuit of newbusiness and also in retaining existing business. How did you determine that insurance was a viablecareer choice?
I have grown up around this business. My mother has been in theindustry for more than 25 years and has owned our agency for almost20. I have seen all aspects of being in insurance, both good andbad, but overall it has been very good to my family. Growing up, Isaw this as both a challenging and rewarding career. As my motherhas always said, “I didn't choose insurance, it chose me.” My lifehas brought me to a career in the industry and I couldn't behappier. What is an important lesson you learned working in aprofessional environment?
Without a doubt the best lesson I have learned from being in theworkforce is the importance of knowing how to talk to and relatewith all different kinds of people. In my first job I served as alegislative aide to a North Carolina state senator. I was put intodifferent kinds of situations with people in all levels ofgovernment as well as constituents. I learned quickly that being apeople person and a good listener is invaluable. Bringing thisskill with me into the insurance industry has been veryhelpful. Who do you look to as a mentor?
She allows me to work independently, but her door is always openwhenever I have questions or a difficult situation I am working on.I look toward my mother as a mentor. Her industry knowledge isinvaluable. She has the CPCU and AIC designations and she hasencouraged me to pursue this as well. She has helped me learn thatin this day and time it is not enough to simply get your licenseand attend mandatory continuing education classes. What are your goals in this industry?
Myultimate goal is to buy the business from my family and continue togrow the company. I would also like to continue working towardreceiving professional designations. Currently I am working on myCIC designation.