PYSK: Rich Miller
Vice-President, The Insurance Group
AGE: 41
JOB DESCRIPTION: As commercial lines department manager, I am responsible for overseeing the sales and servicing of all commercial accounts for our company. In addition to that, I also work closely in taking care of the insurance needs of many companies in central Missouri.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 16
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: St. Paul, Minn.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in political science from Arizona State University.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Past president of Rainbow House and Easter Seals. Past member of Columbia Northwest Rotary. Founding member of Columbia Independent School. U.S. Bank board member. Member of Marriage Matters Ministry at Woodcrest Church. Coach for Daniel Boone Little League and the Columbia Youth Basketball Association. Involved with Central Missouri Food Bank Score Against Hunger Campaign.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: The Insurance Group sales/agent for 16 years. Worked for property management company that owns and manages apartments in Minnesota, Kansas City and Columbia.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: Skip Grossnickle (my father-in-law). I am not saying this for brownie points, but he has the most character of any man I know. Family is No. 1 with Skip. How can you not admire that? And Kent Willett. He is a mentor and great friend. Kent carries out the two things that I want to be about in my business: to love God and to love others. That’s why people love to go to him and be his patient. They are attracted to him because they see God. I want our customers to feel the same way when they deal with The Insurance Group.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I like dealing with people and helping them with their insurance needs. I enjoy helping my clients understand their risks and educate them on how to cover them.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR ALIVING, I WOULD: Be a missionary.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Mentoring a new agent at The Insurance Group. He is going to head up our new hospitality division of The Insurance Group and will be focusing on insuring hotels, motels and restaurants in the Midwest.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Consumers need to educate themselves about their insurance needs and cover themselves appropriately. Sit down with a reputable professional insurance agent and understand your insurance coverage. When you understand your coverage, you might not be as unhappy to pay the premiums.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Anything that has to do with sports. Coach my kids’ teams. Play golf. Go mountain biking with my kids in Colorado.
FAMILY: Wife, Gayla; sons Justin, 14, and Skip, 11; daughter Sophie, 4.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Wherever my kids are doing activities.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I am blessed to have the most awesome family.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: I met my wife, Gayla, in college, and I was her aerobics instructor. I also was part of the pit crew for my mom, who was a drag racer.