I love helping people understand insurance and helping them make good decisions.
INSURANCE IN THE CLASSROOM
By Jennifer McDaniel
InVEST: Next Generation of Insurance Professionals
Jennifer McDaniel
When Cindy Hower got her start in the insurance business in the early 1980s, little did she know the opportunity would eventually lead to chairing a national program aimed at generating student interest in the industry.
Despite her father, Dale, owning the local insurance and real estate agency in Holton, Hower didn’ t automatically join the family business. Newly married, she spent five years gaining experience in the Jackson County Clerk’ s office. But eventually, Hower’ s mother, who worked for a title company that shared rental space in the same building as her father and his business partner, encouraged her husband to bring their daughter into the family business.
“ I started out working half days for the title company, and half days in insurance,” she said.“ I got my real estate license a couple years later.” Even though she never thought she would go into the business, Hower said she’ s grateful for the opportunity given to her so long ago.
“ I love helping people understand insurance and helping them make good decisions,” Hower said.“ I also love being involved in the industry side of things from KAIA, InVEST and IIABA. The relationships I have built over the years are very special.”
Nearly four decades later, she and her husband, Roger, own and manage Kellerman Insurance and Kellerman Real Estate. The agency has an office in Holton but also serves the Topeka, Hoyt, Mayetta, Circleville and Wetmore areas.
When she started out as a young agent, Hower focused her energy on home and auto insurance clients. But today, she primarily spends her time these days working with public
I love helping people understand insurance and helping them make good decisions.
entity and other commercial business customers, but still finds time to work with her auto, home and farm clients.
Even though Roger’ s focus is on the real estate side of the business, Hower said, he serves as a great networker for the insurance agency.
“ We have awesome people( who) work with us and have been here many years,” she said.“ We couldn’ t participate at the industry level in volunteer work in insurance and real estate without them. They are the best. Likewise, we support their involvement in community and industry work also.”
- Cindy Hower
Like her father, Hower soon joined the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents. Becoming a member and networking with her peers has been a huge benefit to her agency, she said.
“ I know I have help on any given day for questions pertaining to regulatory concerns, with insurance markets and a voice legislatively,” Hower said.
“ Being involved on committees and attending KAIA events eventually led to an opportunity to serve on the board of directors and as president of the association. I have met and formed friendships with not only many Kansas agents, but also at IIABA. It is an awesome place to meet people and form relationships.”
Currently, Hower serves as chairperson of the board for InVEST, a school-to-work insurance program, and will finish her second year in that role in late August.
InVEST’ s mission is to improve insurance literacy in students and attract new talent to the industry.
The program teams with high-school and college educators to provide a practical insurance curriculum for students.
| March- April 2017 | KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
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