It’s Never Too Late to Get Involved

Like many of my fellow boomer agents, later this summer I turn the big 6-0—or the “crossing,” as my older sisters refer to it. 60 is the birthday in which a lot of change takes place, and the upcoming decade is when most people retire and start a new chapter in their lives. I remember thinking when I was younger that I’d never make it to this point—and if I did, I certainly wouldn’t be working!

My dad was a company guy; a senior executive with an insurance company that is gone now. When he was 56, the company was sold to a British firm and all of the senior management from around the country were laid off. He was actually elated with the news. He was burned out, and so when he and my mother picked up and moved from the Chicago area to Boca Raton, Fla., to start a new life, it was a good thing. I guess that’s how I always thought it would go for me too, but to be honest, now that I’m here, I’m not ready for it yet. It’s a good thing, too, as the rocky stock market and four kids with private college and graduate schools tuitions have offered me the “opportunity” to hang around a few more years. I do still love my work, and I love the town that I live in. Life as an independent agent has allowed me to stay involved in many activities that are important to me, as well as the freedom to learn a few new things and stretch my horizons. I have quite a few friends who have retired already. Most of them are spending time traveling, hanging around or trying to improve their golf games. At times it seems like they are just struggling to fill their days. I’m not ready for that yet!

One of the good things about longevity in our business is that the older and more successful you become, the more flexibility you have to try new things. Your independence allows you to go as hard or as fast as you want. This feeling of freedom can offer some new juice in your career and your life if you let it flow.

In the last month, I’ve had to deal with the death of three people I knew. All were successful. One was a lawyer, one was the mother of a really close friend and one was a small town independent agent whom I’d known all my business life. As I read their obituaries, all seemed successful and had great lives.

In particular, I was struck by all of the things the agent had accomplished during his life. We talk a lot about the value that independent agents bring to their hometowns throughout the country, but it isn’t until you see it written down that it kind of hits home. My agent friend was from a rural community of about 1,000 people located about 30 miles from my home. It’s the kind of town that you rarely pay any attention to—but this agent was everywhere! His obituary said that he was the past president of the church council, past commander of the American Legion, a member of the volunteer fire and rescue unit for more than 20 years, the announcer at the annual 4th of July parade held in his town and served as its the Grand Marshall on several occasions, past president of the Rotary Club, coached Little League teams and served on the city council. He was a member of Pheasants Forever, Duck’s Unlimited, the local deer hunters association, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and the Independent Insurance agents of Minnesota. Whoa—talk about a full life!

Each spring at the Legislative Conference & Convention, we celebrate the winner of the Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement. Dan was a friend of mine. He worked as the Government Affairs Coordinator and Membership Liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, but like so many others in our business, he did so much more. He was great at his job, but outside of his work, he was everywhere, doing everything he could to make things better for others. The agents who have been selected to win the award in his name have done the same. They are all simply amazing people.

Reading the obituary of my Minnesota small town friend made me think about how many people out there could or should win an award for community involvement. Involvement is integral to what we do. It’s a big part of what it means to be an independent insurance agent. As I get closer to “the crossing,” please don’t write my obituary yet. In fact, look out, because I have time. I know that I still have a lot of work to get done and people to serve. My juices are flowing, and as the good people in my agency say, “That’s dangerous!”

—Michael Donohoe, Big “I” Chairman