Quincy L. Branch, RHU,EHBA
Vice president employeebenefits, Branch-Hernandez & Assocs. InsuranceServices
Years at company: 8
College: UNLV 2000, BS in BusinessManagement
Organizations: National Young Agents CommitteeMember (IIABA), Treasurer-Nevada Young Agents Committee, Member ofNAHU, CCAHU, NAAIA

How can employers recruit young talent?
Ithink it's important for today's employer to understand thatmembers of the generation that they are seeking to hire aredifferent from those in the current “corporate culture.” They mayneed to identify tactics and things to be revamped for the nextgeneration. Young agents are seeking the support of the businessbut also the freedom and encouragement to bring in fresh and newperspectives.

What is an important lesson you learned when joining aprofessional working environment?
The importance of first impressions. As young agents we have tomake a conscious effort to always make sure that we are presentingourselves in the best possible manner. To me this is key as wecontinue to interact with those that have already attained thepositions we aspire to.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in 2011, andhow did you handle it?
Healthcare reform. As no oneis certain how or what the final outcome of the reform will be, Ifeel it's imperative for agents like myself to stay knowledgeableand ahead of the curve. We will be the experts that our clientswill rely on.

How did you determine that insurance was a viable careerchoice?
My father has been in the insurance industry since I was about 13years old. As I was finishing my last year at UNLV I was alsoworking in his back office doing filing and bookkeeping work. Headvised me to attain my license so we could have it in the office.About a year or so after I received my P&C license, we movedoffices and were growing our commercial client base and my fatherasked that I get my L&H license so that I would be balanced andwell-rounded in the insurance industry. Once I received my L&Hlicense, our agency opened an employee benefits division. The rest,as they would say, is history still in the making.

What advice do you have about working withfamily?
Treat it as any other business environment. Iview my father as the boss and treat him as such while we are in abusiness setting. People always assume that I have it easy becausemy father is the owner, but it is the complete opposite. I feelthat I work harder because of the level of expectation andrelationship. I always want to earn what is given to me.

What's toughest about being a young agent in a fieldwhere the average age is 55?
Gaining respect is thetoughest thing I have experienced since becoming an agent. I foundearly on that most people would underestimate me because I lookyoung. That is why I am a big supporter of education. Education isthe one thing no one can take away from you so when youropportunity comes to present/speak, you are prepared and yourtalent shines.