The Source - Higginbotham

Michael’s
Musings
Page 4
Work Hard,
Play Hard
Page 6
Announcements
Page 9
The Source
Volume 2 | Issue 3
Partner Spotlight
Sawyer Insurance Agency
In June Higginbotham welcomed Sawyer Insurance Agency, a Richardson-based
P&C broker, to our Dallas office. The three-person group is led by Mike Sawyer,
who is most excited about joining our company for, “the ability to expand my
knowledge and work with a premier organization.” They bring 1,900 commercial
and personal clients to Higginbotham.
Sawyer Insurance was founded in 1975. Young and eager, Mike thought running
his own business was very appealing. He started as a direct writer for Farmers
and became an independent agent five years later. According to Mike, “my world
opened up when I went independent.” Mike continued with his Farmers contract
and grew to become the third largest Farmers agent in Texas in 2000. The
number one thing that keeps Mike and his team motivated is “referrals from long
time customers.”
Mike became connected to Higginbotham through a mutual acquaintance of
Bourdon Barfield in our McKinney office. Bourdon and Mike began sharing
stories about their businesses and the success Bourdon has had since joining
Higginbotham. Mike soon recognized that, “Higginbotham is well known in the
industry as a leader with a great reputation.” He was convinced that merging with
Higginbotham would help expand his business, and the ball started rolling for his
agency to join.
Global Reach. Local Touch. Single Source.
Describe your office staff
in one word
“Resourceful.”
Mike Sawyer,
Vice President
Stats
Year Established: 1975
Number of employees: 3
Practice areas: P&C
F.O.R.C.E.
Family Of Responsible Caring Employees
Rise School
In conjunction with North Texas Insurance
Professionals, our Wichita Falls office
raised $479 for the Rise School, a nonprofit organization providing education
to children with disabilities. For a $5
ticket, employees could throw a pie in
a producer’s face, wear jeans or their
favorite sports t-shirt to work, or purchase
$1 raffle tickets for a half-day off.
donated to the winning teams’ charities.
The winning team in the employee
benefits/wellness category was Sun Life
Financial. They split their $4,000 prize
between LearnChangeGrow and Reel
Recovery. The first team in the P&C
category was The Hartford. They split
their $1,500 winnings between Dallas
Pets Alive! and Wounded Warriors.
Boys & Girls Club of Arlington
Fort Worth Managing Director Mark Vann
sold $300 worth of golf balls to the 23rd
Annual Par For The Kids Helicopter Ball
Drop benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of
Arlington. Each ball was marked with a
number and dropped from a helicopter.
The ball closest to the pin won $1,000.
Weatherford Public Library
Our Weatherford office donated $500
to help fund the spring luncheon of the
Friends of the Weatherford Public Library.
David Rothrock and Elizabeth Bozzell
have fond memories visiting the public
library as youths and were featured in the
Weatherford Democrat newspaper for
their donation.
Carrier Olympics
In April the Fort Worth office held its
fifth annual and final Carrier Olympics
Challenge for Charity at TCU. Fourperson teams representing 11 carriers
paid to compete in the three-mile
obstacle course. The entry fees were
Crowne Plaza Invitational
Local Pro Golfer Franklin Corpening Represents Higginbotham
It was Higginbotham’s 15th year to host
our private veranda overlooking the 18th
green at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Producers entertained more than 1,100
guests at Colonial Country Club in Fort
Worth May 22, 25 and 26.
Caruthers, Tami Dick, Rebekka Gonzales,
Stacy Imbong, Rodney Johnston,
Jennifer Loafman, Christina MaGee,
Sandy Spears and our summer interns for
a smooth operation of the veranda and
handling the large crowds.
Guests enjoyed lunch, snacks,
beverages and promotional gifts made
available by our sponsors: Aetna,
Allied Insurance, Assurant, Blue Cross
Blue Shield, Chubb, Cigna, Guardian,
Humana, ID Resources, Liberty Mutual,
Principal, Safeco, Sun Life, The Hartford,
United Concordia and UnitedHealthcare.
This year, guests also got a chance
to meet golfer Franklin Corpening, a
Texas Christian University graduate and
Colonial member who turned pro in 2008.
Higginbotham is proudly sponsoring
Franklin on his Web.com tour and his
first PGA venture at the Crowne Plaza
Invitational. He received the Colonial’s
Champions’ Choice selection for the
ability to play his home course. Franklin
finished T14, which automatically earned
him a spot in the 2014 event.
A special thank you goes to Kristen
Berry, Venesha Burelsmith, Donna
Franklin Corpening and Rodney Johnston with
Rob Marsh’s children
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Higginbotham Community Fund
Grants to Texas Non-Profits
ATHENA Society of Burleson, Fort Worth Office — $1,000
The ATHENA Society of Burleson is an organization whose membership consists
of women in the area who have received the ATHENA Leadership award for their
community service.
Honor Flight, Fort Worth Office — $500
The Honor Flight program of Fort Worth pays for all travel costs for World War II
veterans to fly to Washington, D.C. to visit the FDR Monument, Arlington Cemetery,
the Marine Corps War Memorial and the National World War II Memorial.
Hope Cottage, Dallas Office — $500
Hope Cottage Pregnancy and Adoption Center nurtures and builds families through
education, counseling and adoption services.
Interfaith Ministries, Wichita Falls Office — $750
Interfaith Ministries, Inc. is a center for families who are struggling financially.
Higginbotham’s donation was applied to its Prescription Project that provides up to
$175 of medications for as many as 130 qualified clients per month.
Notre Dame Catholic Church, Houston Office — $750
Nortre Dame is a multi-cultural Catholic church in Southwest Houston. The donation
will help the parish with its organizations that serve the needs of the church and
local community.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, Wichita Falls Office — $1,000
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system
dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care,
innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.
Total Contributions
and Pledges as of 7/1/2013:
$241,390.83
Check the intranet for the latest activity
each quarter
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Michael’s Musings
Exchange (Texas isn’t creating its own)
or in Private Exchanges for individuals
not receiving a subsidy. We plan to
continue utilizing Luann and Whitnee
with the addition of Scott Shapard’s team
and possibly our employee response
center to help enroll clients. Then,
we can offer dental, life and disability
products to the individuals that we enroll.
Small Groups (less than 50
employees)
There are two glaring issues for small
group employers. First, the PPACA
For the past four years, we’ve been
requires their plans to have a maximum
anticipating year 2014 with both anxiety
deductible of $2,000 for individuals and
and tepid excitement because most
$4,000 for families. Sixty five percent of
parts of the PPACA (known as “health
small groups in Texas have deductibles
care reform”) will kick in for our clients.
over $2,000. Second, community rating
Our crystal ball has been cloudy, but
means that carriers charge less for
recent regulations have lifted the fog and younger participants, more for seasoned
a clearer picture is developing.
participants and average the two for
group rates. Currently, the rate for an
Individuals
older person (age 64) might be seven
Since most of us don’t focus on
times higher than a younger person (age
individual health insurance, Luann
18). Starting in 2014, the multiple can
Yarberry and Whitnee Harris in our
only be three times. So in theory, rates
Wichita Falls office have been our
for employers with a younger workforce
primary contacts whenever the
will rise. In the fall, carriers will send
need arises. The PPACA requires all
us a list of our clients showing where
individuals to purchase health insurance. they are relative to manual rates and
This could be a great opportunity
an estimate of how much their cost will
for all of us. As “navigators,” we’ll be
rise if they must lower their deductible.
compensated inside of the Federal
All of our clients will have the option to
renew by December 1, 2013 in order
to delay cost increases by 11 months.
We’re assembling a team headed by
Krystal Russell to help with quoting,
communicating and enrolling.
Large Groups
The majority of our group clients offer
adequate coverage to all full-time
employees for less than the maximum
contribution. It will be business as usual
for those groups. For those that don’t
offer coverage to all employees, there
are strategies emerging that appear
more accommodating than what was first
expected.
Last year yielded great results for our
Financial Services Division. This, being
the year that we’ve declared “We Are
Higginbotham,” we’re living up to our
reputation by continuing to monitor the
market and regulations and doing our
BEST to educate as January 1, 2014
approaches. I’d like to thank each of you
for the outstanding work you do!
Michael Parks
Managing Director, Financial Services
Division & Board Member
We Are Higginbotham...
“
“
...because I belong to a family of genuine people who care – and that’s Higginbotham!
”
- Beverly Miranda, Dallas
...because I am proud to work for a firm where we are all working towards a common goal and feel honored to still be part of
the family for 5 years. - Tracy Green, Houston
“
”
...because we are more than just employees in different offices; We are a part of a large team of professionals working
together to meet the needs of consumers in a growing market that is always changing, while still supporting each other and our
communities. - Joni Sheets, Corpus Christi
“
”
...because I live in Houston where the job market is large and I choose to work for “THE BEST IN TEXAS” who are as goal
oriented as I am! - Michelle Riter, Houston
”
How would you finish the sentence? Tell us by emailing [email protected]
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New Faces
Welcome to the Best in Texas Team
Melissa Hilliard
Commercial Lines
Marketing
Fort Worth
04/01/13
Roshandia Fleming
Benefits Account
Manager Assistant
Houston
04/10/13
Will Shoppa
Commercial Lines
Producer
Fort Worth
04/17/13
Kelly Whitaker
Benefits Account
Manager
McKinney
04/18/13
Whitney Perry
Benefits Account
Manager
Waco
04/19/13
Kristin Graybill
Commercial Lines
Marketing
Fort Worth
04/24/13
LaTanya Maxey
Retirement
Specialist
Houston
04/26/13
Caroline Chu
Benefits Account
Manager
Houston
04/29/13
Donna Anderson
Benefits Account
Manager
Dallas
05/02/13
Yesenia Trevino
Commercial Lines
Admin. Assistant
Friendswood
05/16/13
Gina Di Veroli
Section 125
Admin.
Fort Worth
05/28/13
Gwen Johnston
Commercial Lines
CSR
Waco
05/29/13
Not Pictured
Stacy Walsh
Accounting
Fort Worth
04/08/13
Bob Hendren
Commercial Lines
Producer
Dallas
06/03/13
Julie McElderry
Bond Marketer
Fort Worth
06/03/13
Mike Sawyer
Personal Lines
Producer
Dallas
06/03/13
Michelle Hobbs
Benefits Account
Manager
Fort Worth
04/25/13
Teresa Smith
Personal Lines CSR
Dallas
06/03/13
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Work Hard, Play Hard
Higginbotham Events
Fort Worth Crowne Plaza
Invitational
Chubb Softball Tournament
Wichita Falls Employee
Appreciation
Houston Dynamo Soccer Game
Fort Worth Carrier Olympics
Houston Dynamo Soccer
Game
Fort Worth Supporting Boston
Marathon Victims
Fort Worth Carrier Olympics
Wichita Falls
Fort Worth Commercial Lines
Summer Kickoff
Fort Worth Crowne Plaza
Invitational
Helen Grellhesl’s
Retirement Party
Corpus Christi Beach 2 Bay
Relay
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Fort Worth Crowne Plaza Invitational
with Pro Golfer Jim Furyk
Fort Worth Carrier Olympics
Houston Dynamo Soccer Game
Fort Worth Commercial Lines
Summer Kickoff
Houston Happy Hour
Fort Worth Carrier Olympics
Fort Worth Commercial Lines
Summer Kickoff
Wichita Falls Employee Appreciation
Fort Worth Crowne Plaza
Invitational
Las Vegas Contest Winners’ Trip
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Employee Spotlight
Who: Renae Graves
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: Renae Graves spent a few
weeks in the Austin office training employees. Erin Woodard
shared her appreciation for Renae with Rusty, “She always
has a positive attitude and is helping everyone without any
hesitation. ...She really is an asset to our company but I am
quite sure you already know that.”
Who: Mary Russell
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: Travelers named Mary Russell
the Personal Insurance Agent of the Year for the South
Central region. Recipients were recognized for their strong
commitment to Travelers, achieving long-term profitable
growth and for providing first-class customer service.
Who: Sharon Knowles
Office: Dallas
Best in Texas Performance: Pamela Westbrook at Ortho
Accel Technologies, Inc. gave Sharon Knowles rave reviews
saying, “...I want to reiterate what a fantastic asset I think she
is to Higginbotham. ...I would hire her in a second if she ever
wanted to come to Houston. I would find a position for that
lady if at all possible. She is awesome.”
Who: Lauri Dorn & Drew Noss
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: Lauri Dorn and Drew Noss
received a compliment from one of their new clients. Connie
Hall at Cross Country Propane said, “Thank you for the
professional and timely service we have received. It is a
refreshing experience to have someone that will cooperate
and take care of our business.”
done and she has a sense of urgency that makes me feel
like she cares about this repair at least as much as I do.
Just wanted to send her kudos and let you know that I’m
breathing easier thanks to you guys.”
Who: Higginbotham
Office: All locations
Best in Texas Performance: On May 10, Higginbotham
proved we’re one of the BEST IN TEXAS by earning spot No.
3 on the list of Largest North Texas Insurance Companies/
Brokers ranked by revenue as reported by Dallas Business
Journal. The same award was paralleled in Austin as
our office placed No. 3 of the Independent Insurance
Brokerages as reported by Austin Business Journal.
Who: Teresa Stinson and her daughter, Julianne
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: Teresa’s daughter Julianne
won the IIATC scholarship of $1,100. Julianne was chosen
from an IIATC panel of insurance agents/professionals to
receive the 2013 IIATC scholarship. Julianne is a student
at Oklahoma Christian University. Each year, IIATC awards
the scholarship to an IIATC member’s employee or an
employee’s dependent child. The applicants must complete
a scholarship application with recommendations and an
essay.
Certifications/Designations Earned
Ana Allen, Dallas - Chartered Benefit Consultant
Sherri Collins, Waco - Certified Insurance Counselor
Jason Dixon, Houston - Registered Health Underwriter
Ken Mensio, Houston - Chartered Benefit Consultant
Pat Monis, Fort Worth - Chartered Benefit Consultant
Who: Steve Silva
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: VIP client Dean Metzger
proclaimed Steve Silva to be “...the best, most responsive
service person I have ever dealt with—not just insurance,
but any industry.” He continued, “He called me back
immediately when you asked him to when we were buying
our new home. He gave me quotes on all our insurance by
the following morning. Julie and I were so impressed.”
Who: Mary Russell
Office: Fort Worth
Best in Texas Performance: After a bathroom leak in his
home, Dave Cradick, a radio personality known as Kidd
Kraddick, emailed Rusty to let him know how Mary Russell
was handling the claim. “I have to tell you that with Mary at
the helm, I’ve never been more confident that this situation is
finally handled. Rusty, she is FANTASTIC. She gets things
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Announcements
It’s a Girl!
Just Married!
Upcoming
Events
July 4: Offices Closed
Aug. 1-2: P&C Lake Days,
Azle, TX
Aug. 2: Employee Cook-out,
Friendswood, TX
Aug. 7-9: Managing Director
Retreat, Horseshoe Bay, TX
Lara Williams, Wichita Falls office
Daughter: Emma Kathryn
Born: April 7, 2013
Stats: 8 lbs., 9 oz., 20.5 in.
Brandi Ledbetter, Waco office
May 4, 2013
Just Married!
It’s a Girl!
Aug. 8-9: All Producer
Retreat, Horseshoe Bay, TX
Sept. 2: Offices Closed
Contact
Send any story ideas, Best
in Texas performances,
photos or suggestions to:
[email protected]
Catie Roberts, Fort Worth office
May 16, 2013
Michele Lane, Fort Worth office
Daughter: Jase Thomas
Born: May 20, 2013
Stats: 7 lbs., 14 oz.
Like Higginbotham on Facebook
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