1. What is your favorite book or books?
It’s a toss-up between The Case for Christ and Lord of The Rings. I mostly read faith-based books while also rotating fitness and business books.
2. What are your hobbies or interests?
My hobbies include being a “gym rat” and playing adult softball. I also really enjoy watching my kids play sports and taking them to the Los Angeles Dodgers games when I can.
3. What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my children. Lyla, my oldest is 6 ½, enjoys playing softball, soccer, and art. My middle child, Frankie, is 5 and enjoys baseball, soccer, and reading. My youngest, Cody, is 3 months and enjoys eating and sleeping. My wife is a redhead and my two boys are as well. I like to tell people that the world needs more “gingers”.
4. What is your favorite quote?
“Success is not measured by what we have. It is about who we are and what we give.”
5. Briefly tell us your life story.
I grew up in Los Angeles, the oldest of 2 boys. Both of my parents have worked for State Farm since before I was born. Working in insurance may not be the dream job for some people, but it is for me! My mom has a paper from when I was in kindergarten that asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. I wrote Insurance.
My family moved to Bakersfield, CA in 1995 when State Farm opened a new operations center here. I started my insurance career at State Farm as a college intern. The following year, I married my high school sweetheart (we just celebrated our 9th anniversary). I began working full time in Commercial Fire, then Auto Underwriting. I honestly thought I would spend my entire career at State Farm, especially since I was around the company my entire life. Tom Mestmaker (who runs our MWG California office) tried recruiting me for a couple years. I like to say that he finally gave me an offer that I couldn’t refuse and the rest is history.
I started with MWG Mestmaker in early 2014, mostly working on Cigna Life and Disability plans. I moved over to MWG Broker Services earlier this year and have greatly expanded my product knowledge. I would say making the move to MWG was the best business decision I have ever made because it is truly an amazing company. A company that puts God and family first is number one in my book.
1. What is your favorite book or books?
HA! I have never been one that likes to read books. Reading puts me to sleep.
2. What are your hobbies or interests?
I really enjoy anything outdoors. Working in the yard, running, hiking, and spending time on weekends at the creek riding 4-wheelers. I also enjoy painting because it’s a good stress reliever.
3. What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my family. I have 19-year-old twins (thank goodness for hair color). There is never a dull moment and even at 19 they keep me on my toes. I’m an only child and have always been close to my parents. My dad died 2 years ago from breast cancer, so I spend a lot of extra time with my mom
4. What is your favorite quote?
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Arnold Schwarzenegger
5. Briefly tell us your life story.
I’m originally from Florence, MS but have resided in Terry, MS most of my adult life. Both of my kids have always been active in sports and played some type of sport year-round. If we weren’t on a field somewhere, we were in a gym. Just a few months before Brooke and Brett were to start their senior year at Copiah Academy, my dad passed away. It was a hard year for each of us, especially during basketball season. He loved to watch them play.
Once they graduated high school and left for college, I realized, after all the years of running after them, I didn’t know what I was going to do. Knowing I would have plenty of free time on my hands, I decided it was time to focus on myself. In June 2016 I joined the local gym and was there every day after work, trying to keep myself busy. A year later I was 54 pounds lighter and felt better than I ever thought I would.
My daughter, Brooke, attends Northwest Mississippi Community College on a basketball scholarship so I’m still following her around from gym to gym. Even though she’s almost 3 hours away, thanks to MWG’s personal time, I can attend nearly all her games. My son Brett still lives at home with me and commutes to Hinds Community College.
Prior to MWG, I was a Realtor for Century 21. I absolutely loved helping others find their dream home, but when the market dropped for 3 years in a row, I had to find a new job with a guaranteed pay check every month. My coworker, Samantha Cole, told me about the job opening at MWG and in April 2012 I started working in the Eligibility Department. In May 2017, I moved to Broker Services and am excited about my future with the company.
