Becoming an insurance agent can be alife-changing event for some, especially when the opportunity turnsinto a calling. The following three producers may have comeinto the business for different reasons, but they're each stayingin the industry for the same: to improve the lives of others.

Want to share your own insurance story? Clickhereto tell us about your life as a successful agent. For more producerprofiles, see Meet Your Peers: March 2013.

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Randy Geving, vice president
Six & Geving InsuranceInc.
Colorado Springs,Colo.

How and when did you decide that an insurance career wasfor you?
I was invited by my brother-in-law to joinhis agency in 1983 to pursue commercial lines business.I found that I truly enjoyed getting to know business ownersand bringing to them something of real value— the protection oftheir business. I found it to be very gratifying. The opportunityto build trusted relationships with clients is a major part of mysatisfaction with the insurance business and it keeps my motivationhigh.

What do you love most about being an insuranceagent?
The true test of our work comes when a serious claim occurs. Whenwe find our coverage program is structured to address these losses,our clients understand the value of what we do. It means so muchthat a business owner can maintain their business without sufferinga major financial setback. This also brings genuinesatisfaction.

What's your favorite client successstory?
There are many, but one which stands out is with a homeownersassociation that was devastated by a wildfire last June in ColoradoSprings, which destroyed 347 homes. Our townhome association lost13 of their 14 units. We had a great carrier who worked with us tosettle the claim promptly and fairly. This was the largest dollarloss we have had in the agency. The insured received a largeadvance payment to begin their rebuild within a few months. We hada great relationship with the Board of the HOA and had manymeetings to discuss how the claim would be handled. They saw thevalue of a good insurance program first hand. I was pleased we hada strong carrier with a great policy in place for them. It isexciting now to drive by and see the beautiful new townhomes underconstruction and families moving back in.

What career advice would you give new agents and/orwhat's your mantra for success?
The insurance business is a great career if you are looking toserve people regarding serious matters. It is challenging in thatthere are always new things to learn about coverages in a changingindustry. My mantra for success is to always do the right thing foryour clients, and put their needs first. Your reputation will bethe biggest reward.

What career would you want if you weren't an insuranceagent?
If I were not an insurance agent, I would love to be a coach or aprofessional golfer (in my dreams)!

What public figure (past or present) do you most admire,and why?
I am a big fan of Ronald Reagan because he spoke so directly to thechallenges we faced as a nation. His love of country was so evidentand he was humble in his high position.

What are your hobbies/what doyou most enjoy doing outside the office?
I have a wonderful wife, Sandi, and two great kids, Lindsay (age20) and Carson (age 16). I serve on some local Boards which Ienjoy, also. My favorite pastime is getting on the golf course, andI try to do that as often as I can.

Paul E. Felsen, president
Felsen Insurance Services Inc.
Denville, N.J.

How and when did you decide that an insurance career wasfor you?
I was not very good in foreign languages so I became a businessmajor in college as opposed to following a liberal arts path. I hadan uncle (since deceased) who I admired that was in the insurancebusiness and who appeared “successful” in my young eyes. My pathbegan there.

What do you love most about being an insuranceagent?
I love the technical side—the lost art of putting an accounttogether and hopefully, more often than not, out-working mycompetition.

What's your favorite client successstory?
My office is a large national provider of p/c insurance forsynagogues and temples. This began in 1981 as my own temple came tome with their insurance. It blossomed into a national program andniche. I figured if my own temple needed help, so did others. Ourscope went from NJ to the northeast, to all over the country.

What career advice would you give new agents and/orwhat's your mantra for success?
Be prepared, work hard, work every center of influence you can and,most importantly, be professional and learn your craft. Get aprofessional designation–I have been a CPCU since age 26. Also,remember how it feels to “win” and how it feels to “lose.” Youdecide which you prefer.

What career would you want if you weren't an insuranceagent?
Point guard for an NBA team except I can't run anymore and I'm tooshort!

What public figure (past or present) do you most admire,and why?
On the political side, JFK, because he was so charismatic. Insports, Derek Jeter, because of the way he carries himself andhandles prosperity and adversity. He sets an excellent example forsomeone in any walk of life.

What are your hobbies/what do you most enjoy doingoutside the office?
Family and being a sports fanare my passions. I love being with my three year old grandson,Ethan. Next to him and my wife and children, Giants football andYankee baseball are my main interests.

Want to share your own insurance story?Click hereto tell us about your life as a successful agent. For more producerprofiles, see Meet Your Peers: March2013.

Patrice Lee Davison
Davison Insurance Agency
Boerne, Texas

How and when did you decide that an insurance career wasfor you?
My folks owned the local insurance agency, and when my motherbecame terminally ill, they sent up the red flag and moved fromIllinois to Texas.

What do you love most about being an insuranceagent?
Knowing our clients and being able to hear their needs and helpingexplain insurance to them.

What's your favorite client successstory?
We were able to help a client pay his medical expenses (deductiblesand co-pays) by holding a blood drive here in our office. I thinkwe brought in more new clients that way compared to any socialfunctions I have ever attended!

What career advice would you give new agents and/orwhat's your mantra for success?
Persevere. The client you don't write today may be the one whogives you the most referrals! Our mantra for success is, “If you doit right, you always sleep at night!”

What career would you want if you weren't an insuranceagent?
I had dreams of being a veterinarian. I don't think most of us planon being an insurance agent, but when we become one, you realizehow much you can help people!

What public figure (past or present) do you most admire,and why?
If you mean since Jesus, it would have to be Abraham Lincoln, whoworked so hard to set our country on the path to equality.

What are your hobbies/what do you most enjoy doingoutside the office?
I love boating and making jewelry!

Want to share your own insurance story?Click hereto tell us about your life as a successful agent. For more producerprofiles, see Meet Your Peers: March2013.