COOKEVILLE –When it comes to continuing education and team growth, Swallows Insurance does not cut corners. In fact, Matt Swallows and the entire management team encourages their team members to seek out opportunities to learn and become even better skilled in their position.
“We encourage each and every member of our team to gain as much knowledge as they can through courses and to obtain designations,” said Swallows, president of Swallows Insurance. “Although the acronyms printed behind the names and titles of our team may not mean much to the common person, these insurance designations sometimes take years to obtain, involve extensive travel and time studying for these courses and specialty programs. The end result is our people understanding complex insurance coverages and exposures they see daily.
“The insurance industry is constantly evolving and new coverages are rapidly becoming required of our clients to protect their families, businesses, and livelihood. The more knowledge each team member gains, they grow substantially in their confidence, production, and they are excellent sources of information for our clients and fellow employees.”
The past year and a half proved to be busy for some members of Swallows Insurance, and it all paid off. With the encouragement of management and fellow co-workers, several associates earned new designations and quite a few more are working towards further education goals and designations.
The designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) has been awarded to Gabe Colwell, Account Executive of Swallows Insurance since 2013, and Greg McDonald, Account Executive of Swallows Insurance since 2002, following their successful completion of a rigorous insurance education program sponsored by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. These announcements were made in 2018 by Dr. William T. Hold, president of the Society of CIC, who awarded the designation to both Colwell and McDonald.
The Society of CIC is a key member of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, the nation’s preeminent provider of insurance and risk management education. The National Alliance conducts more than 2,500 programs annually throughout all 50 states.
In addition, five more associates at Swallows Insurance expanded their expertise and received designations in January 2019. The following employees were recently awarded the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA), a professional designation conferred by the American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society (the AIMS Society): Jesse Wolfram, Commercial Lines Account Manager; Gracie Nicholson, Account Manager; Wendy Ward, Personal Lines Account Manager; Cody Melton, Account Executive; and Tiffany Kilgore, Commercial Lines Account Manager. The three, eight-hour seminars were proctored by the Professional Insurance Agents of Tennessee organization and are designed to help participants implement risk identification strategies and systems that will prevent errors and omissions; develop technical knowledge and skills needed to design a complete insurance program tailored specifically to prospective clients; and provide methods for maintaining high legal and ethical standards of operation while developing the agent-client relationship.
“We are so proud of our associates who have taken the time to hone their skills, enhance their insurance knowledge, all so they can better serve their clients for many years to come,” added Swallows. “Our employees are the reason we have been so successful since 1956, therefore investing in their education, performance and growth is essential.”
Swallows Insurance is a family-owned & operated agency since 1956 and has become a leader in providing quality protection for thousands of individuals, families and businesses throughout the Upper Cumberland. We are one of the largest locally owned agencies in Middle Tennessee. With over 34 employees and three locations in Livingston, Cookeville & Smithville, Swallows provides world class protection for Auto, Home, Health, Business, and LifeInsurance needs. As a Trusted Choice, Best Practices independent agency, Swallows Insurance is large enough to handle allyour insurance needs, yet small enough to give you truly personal service. Our agency has more Certified Insurance Counselor designations than any other insurance agency in the Upper Cumberland. Let our experience speak for itself and call us today for a consultation or visit us online at www.swallowsinsurance.com. Swallows Insurance has a main office located at 480 Neal Street, Suite 100, in Cookeville. Call 931-526-4025 for more information.
