Meet HawkSoft Employees with Insurance Experience - Sales & Marketing

It’s time for the next piece in our blog and social media series featuring some of the employees at HawkSoft that have years of experience in the insurance industry prior to coming to HawkSoft. Our company is proud to have many employees across different teams who have real-life experience at agencies, carriers, and more. If you missed our last blog featuring a few members from our Client Services team, don’t forget to check it out!

When employees have a background in the field, they can better understand our customers’ needs, empathize with their issues, and keep the voices of independent agencies at the forefront of everything we do.

This month we’re highlighting some members from our Sales and Marketing teams, who are long-time names in the insurance industry with decades of experience. Take a look at what they have to say about their industry experience and how it helps them in their current roles at HawkSoft!

HawkSoft team members in this spotlight:

• Linda – Sr. Territory Manager
• Michael – Director of Network Relations
• Jerry – VP of Carrier Relations

Describe your insurance experience

Linda: I had 17 years of experience at an independent agency as an operations manager, producer, and CSR. We used HawkSoft at that agency too!

Michael: I started in the family agency in 1998 and became licensed in 2004, primarily selling P&C lines. Shortly after, I became licensed in Life and Health. I assisted in growth, working both in service and sales. As I continued my own growth, I eventually started working specifically with carriers and setting goals for the agency and being active in carrier advisory groups. I also helped bring technology into the agency, as it was predominantly a very paper-driven agency.

Jerry: I was an independent agent for 28 years, including being an agency principal for 26 years and a consultant into the market for 24 years. I was VP of Agency Broker Solutions at a third-party industry vendor for 10 years, and was on the board of directors for an agency management system user group for 9 years, including being its chair.

1 Linda with her grandson - family is her joy!

2 Linda with her sons, who both have families of their own

3 Linda on the way to a fun weekend with her granddaughters

How has your insurance experience helped you in your role at HawkSoft?

Linda: It gave me the ability to relate to prospects during the sales process, and to understand the needs and workflows of agents and employees - not just present HawkSoft, but provide agencies the solutions to the problems they are dealing with.

Michael: My roots were in education. My initial degree was in middle childhood education. However, after a few years doing that, I came back into the insurance space working alongside family. Bringing my foundation in education into sales helped the agency focus on making sure consumers have the right coverage and educating them rather than solely focusing on price. Always doing the right thing and making sure consumers are adequately covered is our responsibility.

Jerry: Every step along the way, I learned something new and met more great people in the industry. It also helped me understand businesses in a way no other industry can. Being the trusted advisor to customers and helping them in their time of need just feels good!

1 Michael enjoys the waves with his son

2 Michael hiking with his husband

3 Michael is involved with marching band activities at his local high school

What is your favorite thing about the insurance industry?

Linda: I love building relationships and helping others!

Michael: Nothing is better than helping families get back on their feet after a loss. Insurance isn't always glamorous, but there are so many different jobs in this industry that make it all come together and benefit the end user.

Jerry: The people, the people, and the people! Helping people, meeting people, hearing people's stories.

1 Jerry with his granddaughter on the lake near his house

2 Jerry playing in a band with insurance industry thought leaders Kitty Ambers and Ron Berg at an AUGIE event. 

3 Jerry with his wife at his daughter's wedding, along with youngest daughter Ashlie (who also works at HawkSoft) and her husband.

What are your hobbies or passions?

Linda: Volunteering at church, boating with family, biking, walking my lab Daisy, enjoying nature, and reading a good book.

Michael: Reading, traveling, spending time with family, and giving back to my community.

Jerry: Fishing, golf, playing my guitar, but most of all being with family (especially my new granddaughter Rainy).