October 31st will mark the 32nd anniversary of my time in the insurance business. As I look forward to the next decade, the future of PCB Insurance Services, and the mentorship of the third generation of this family business, I reflect back upon the first generation and my mentor: Dick Engen.
When I began my career in 1987, I knew little about insurance — other than most folks felt they needed to have it. Selling a product that is considered a necessity seemed like a pretty good opportunity, but other than that, I didn’t know much about it. I had a chance to meet with my future father-in-law — who, at that point, was a career agent with more than 30 years of experience. Dick thought my best path was, to begin with, a carrier and then consider the agency business once I had a bit of experience under my belt. I applied and was accepted into the Aetna Prime Agent school in Hartford, Connecticut; over the next two years, I learned about the insurance industry from the carrier’s perspective.
In 1989, I left Aetna and joined Engen and Associates in Gilroy. I began to learn the business from my Father-in-Law and mentor, Dick Engen. As I now mentor my sons Bryan and Brandon, I am constantly reminded of the lessons I learned 30 years ago that have had an indelible mark on my success as an agent, husband and father. Dick is now retired and living in Indio, California. But he remains a mentor, a source of knowledge and voice of reason from time to time.
I have asked Dick to share his knowledge, experience, and perspective on our industry over the past 60+ years on this blog. I hope you enjoy Dick’s contribution to this blog as much as I do. Along with Dick’s perspective, Bryan and Brandon will be writing entries on the blog.