We know that finding the right career path is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we spend a great deal of time with our candidates to review your needs, goals, and your opportunity as a Farmers Agent.
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David Gamble, District Manager
District Beginnings and History
We opened up the Southbay Farmers Insurance District office in July 2004. Prior to this I had a 13 year career with Ernst and Young in Management Consulting. Our firm later became CapGemini Ernst & Young, and finally just CapGemini.
In my management consulting career, I was largely responsible for helping Farmers Insurance move from paper based insurance applications to enabling agency owners to transact business right from their office computer. This was a long journey with little to no trail to follow from previous efforts within the insurance industry.
My final effort in my career with CapGemini involved web enabling the insurance application processing systems we had built so that agency owners could more easily use those systems at their convenience and place of business.
My journey to becoming a Farmers District Manager really started with the web enablement of our Farmers Insurance systems. I met a famous Farmers District Manager, Armando Fernandez. I searched out Armando in order to solicit feedback on our newly web enabled insurance processing systems. He in turn immediately co-opted me into helping him train his newest agency owners. He utilized the new system to highlight for agency owners some of the important topics such as: 1) conveying the value proposition of the products, down to the coverage specific level. 2) demonstrating underwriting guidelines as implemented through the system, and finally 3) how the pricing worked.
I had been managing a team of 300+ employees and consultants to create this new system at Farmers Insurance and it was a huge success. A huge part of this success I attribute to helping others succeed in their careers. It is this partnering and supporting others which has helped differentiate our team and to put us at the top of the Farmers organization.
Key Milestones:
2012: Achieves 1st Presidents Council award – Top 1% in the entire organization
2013: Farmers asks our team to take over the management and support of 3 other district operations based upon our success and leadership efforts
2018: I have set a lofty goal of achieving the Farmers Hall of Fame status which is done by earning the Presidents Council award 25 times during your career
Meet Our Staff
Office Manager & Quality Assurance
Carolyn Erlach
With 11 years of experience, Carol resolves issues that come her way. New agents as well as tenured agents rely on Carol to provide insight into technical topics pertaining to the inter-workings of Farmers Insurance as well as insurance questions. Carol helps to keep a sharp eye on the quality within the district auditing and helping to ensure that risks are being properly reflected.
Business Insurance Sales Manager
Jeffrey McMillan
A key to new agent success is being able to understand Business Insurance. Jeff brings to the table over 25 years of Commercial Insurance expertise. Join Jeff's morning group where he helps agency owners close deals.
Workers Compensation - Got it!
Business Owners Insurance - Got it!
Life and Financial Services
Mary Deckman
LA South Bay’s District Life and Financial Services Manager, Mary Deckman has the expertise to tailor the training and support you will need to succeed whether a novice or professional. For more than 17 years, she has enjoyed being an integral part of the Farmers team that is committed to the success of each and every agent. From ensuring your understanding of the products we offer, and sharing best sales and marketing practices, to the art of presenting a suitable product, she will cover all the bases. Mary stands by the Farmers old addage, “You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”
Agency Business Consultant - New Agent Training
Amor Ortega
With 20 years of experience working for an insurance agency representing a preferred company, Amor joins the LA Southbay District team to help provide another layer of support for both new agency owners and existing agency owners. Amor is very adept at helping agency owners understand the value proposition associated with the insurance products offered through Farmers Insurance and the insurance industry.
Recruiter
Jeanie Sauder
Jeanie Sauder is a recruiter for District 58 and thrives on getting people into a career that they love and a business that they own - all of which assists them in attaining financial stability. If you ask Jeanie why agency ownership through Farmers is the best choice, be prepared to spend a few minutes listening to her enthusiastic answer. In another life before starting a family, Jeanie served as Director of Political Affairs for 8 years and was on the ground floor of developing Farmers’ grassroots program and political action committee (FEAPAC). She was instrumental in the effort to organize the company’s first legislative conference in California and led the grassroots program that helped create the California Earthquake Authority.
Digital Support
Michelle San Luis
Agents need help in marketing and Michelle is the go to person for helping to properly setup various on-line accounts from Facebook business pages to Google+ and Adword usage.