Years at company: 8 years

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College: Texas Tech University, 2004

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Organizations: Rotary International, LeadershipAustin, Young Men’s Business League of Austin

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What’s your mantra for success?
I believe it is important to get back to people quickly. Clientslove knowing that when they need to reach you, they can. I have mycell phone listed on my business card and am able to access myemail from anywhere using a smartphone. I always try and respond topeople within the hour.

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Who is your mentor?
My father. I started in the insurance business almost 8 years agoand he had me obtain my licenses and immediately start on gainingknowledge and designations. There is much to be learned about theindustry that you can only gain understanding of by real-worldexperience. Having a mentor who can advise you on how to handle adifficult claim or which insurance company to call regarding acertain risk is a great thing. Eventually, the training wheels comeoff and if you have a good mentor, you have a good idea how tohandle anything that comes at you.

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What are your future goals in thisindustry?
I really like being an insurance agent andam working toward owning a book of business and being a leader inmy company. I don’t take for granted that having a parent in theindustry guarantees any future position. My father made it veryclear in the beginning that everything in life has to be earned,especially in this industry.

Have you ever experienced any “generation gap” issueswith your carriers?
It took me a year or so to learn how to send in the kind ofsubmissions that company underwriters wanted to see. Theexperienced underwriters who were patient with me early on are nowthe ones I like to work with, and because of this we both writemore business. Good things happen when younger agents and veteransof the industry recognize they have a lot to learn from each otherand are patient with one another. What are some of your careerhighlights?
In 2011, I was selected as a finalist for Austin Under 40, acitywide contest to honor those individuals who had showncommitment to their communities and in their professional lives.Because I’m very active in the community, the honor made me feelreally good; however, I did not take it too seriously. The besthighlight of my career, in my eyes, is when my wife agreed to marryme. I believe the biggest highlights are the ones that occuroutside of the office with family and friends. How does your office reflect how youwork?
I am an avid fly fisherman, waterfowler andTexan. My office has a framed copy of the first flag of the TexasRepublic hanging on the wall. If you visit, you also will see anumber of artistic duck decoys, fishing pictures and pictures of mywife. I like reminding myself that there is more to life than justwork. Work is important, but so are the things that also bring youjoy in life. Creating a relaxed environment keeps me relaxed andfocused at work.