THE CHANGING FACE OF THE INDEPENDENT AGENT
Kimberly Tompkins promotes the insurance industry
and higher education
By Elaine Tolen
Besides earning three professional designations in the last three years (PHM, ACSR, CPIW), Kimberly Tompkins recently completed the Associates of Insurance Services degree.
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
-- Chinese Proverb
Promoting professional career opportunities--especially to those who have not completed college--is a passion of Kimberly Tompkins, AIS, PHM, ACSR, CPIW, of Associated Insurance Agencies in Hamden, Connecticut. Through her professional and community involvement, Kimberly encourages others to enter the insurance profession as well as to pursue further education.
Many insurance professionals are from an insurance family, says Kimberly, and continuing the family business is a natural. But--"Most people, like me, fall into an insurance career." She "fell" into the insurance industry in 1987. Because Kimberly did not have the financial means or guidance to attend college at the time, she began searching for a career that would interest her. She started working for a real estate/insurance agency. During that time, Kimberly learned about both real estate and insurance, which has proven valuable in commercial lines, the area in which she now works as a customer service representative (CSR) at Associated Insurance Agencies.
Having been a producer, underwriter and CSR in commercial and personal lines during her 15-year career, Kimberly has chosen to be a CSR because she loves dealing with people. And she likes commercial lines "because it's so challenging. There are many types of coverage and gray areas to research and comprehend," she says.
Besides earning three designations in the last three years (PHM-Public Housing Manager, ACSR-Accredited Customer Service Representative, CPIW-Certified Professional Insurance Woman), Kimberly recently earned her (AIS) Associates in Insurance Services degree. Kimberly notes, "Designations give people credibility." With a scholarship from the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut (PIACT), she will begin working on the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation this year.
Most of Kimberly's professional and academic higher education has been through self-study, "which means you have to be self-disciplined," she says. Kimberly explains that she spends many late nights studying--after she gets her two small children to bed. "If I can get this far--with no college education, a career to maintain, devotion to volunteering, and a family to take care of--anyone can," she promises.
Juggling career and family "is hard, but you have to find a balance."
-- Kimberly Tompkins
Kimberly's family has encouraged her to advance academically and professionally. Her husband, Jim, and children, Lauren and Jimmy, also participate with Kimberly in many of her professional and community activities.
Much of Kimberly's discipline has been acquired from her participation since childhood in The Grange, a rural public interest and general agricultural organization to which she and her entire family belong. According to Kimberly: "The Grange recognizes that one of the greatest needs of young families today is a place to which the family can go together. Junior Grange programs are designed to provide a basis for training young members to take leadership roles as they learn about parliamentary procedure and public speaking. They learn to serve where there is a need, and have fun at the same time," she explains. "Everyone has to be on a committee--children and adults. We really learned responsibility and leadership skills and built our own individual character."
Through the years, much of Kimberly's involvement in The Grange has been in the public relations area. Also, being involved in Rainbow Girls, Junior Achievement and Young People's Fellowships within her local church increased her interest in public relations, which can be used as a vehicle for promoting education, Kimberly points out. "My interest in public relations in the Waterbury Association of Insurance Women (WAIW) and the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals (CTYIP) stems from my past involvement in all of those organizations," she explains.
Kimberly also has served in a variety of capacities in the state and local chapters of the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW). She has been a member of the public relations, safety and education committee of the NAIW Connecticut State Council and the WAIW, and has served as an instructor for the Connecticut State Council School of Insurance. In WAIW, she served for two years as public relations committee and safety committee chairperson, during which time she assisted with a blood drive, formed safety programs for children and promoted a "working dogs" program for the disabled. Kimberly has been WAIW secretary and is currently vice president--she will be installed as president in June. Serving the community has helped WAIW to promote the insurance profession, especially to the local community, Kimberly says.
In 1999, Kimberly had the distinction of receiving three awards--Insurance Woman of the Year and Rookie of the Year from the WAIW, and Rookie of the Year from the NAIW Connecticut State Council.
Kimberly's involvement in WAIW served as a seque into CTYIP. In May 2000, a peer from WAIW told her about the young agents organization and suggested that she look into it. She called Kyle Doughtery, who was CTYIP vice president and membership committee chairperson at the time. "He called back and encouraged me to come to the next meeting," Kimberly recalls. "Everyone was so friendly. I've made good friends here who understand balancing career and family. They are a good support and networking system."
In fact, Kimberly relates, CTYIP involvement led to her current position at Associated Insurance Agencies. Through CTYIP, she met Joseph Bishop, vice president of Associated Insurance, who hired her in February 2001. "That's what networking is all about. Meeting Joe and working at Associated Insurance Agencies has been a boon to my career," she says. Working in this current position has kept Kimberly very busy lately; she says that the commercial insurance volume there has doubled in the last eight months.
Kimberly and her twin sister, Caroline, share many interests, such as playing on the same softball team.
Continuing to put the spotlight on education is high on Kimberly's agenda. "CTYIP is working on education through various methods. One project is creating a scholarship for one of our members," Kimberly explains. "CTYIP currently sponsors technology seminars and performance groups for members--free," Kimberly says. "We are going to team up with the PIACT to promote the Fundamentals of Insurance Program. Our goal is to give members many benefits with little cost on their part." From her own experience, Kimberly knows that big benefits can result from even a little investment in education. Her advice: "Take advantage of what all organizations have to offer."
Kimberly has just been installed as CTYIP vice president. She has also served as board secretary, membership committee member and communications division executive chairperson.
In spite of the fast pace in commercial lines, Kimberly's current position allows her to spend more time with her family. "When I was an underwriter, I traveled at least twice a month across the country to the West Coast. There comes a time when you need to put your priorities straight and decide what the most important factors in your life are. I finally had to decide whether career or family came first." She still has to juggle her career and family. "It's hard, but you have to find a balance," she says.
Many times, Kimberly is able to include her family in her WAIW and CTYIP activities. One such activity was a CTYIP charity fundraiser, the "Hike for Tykes" for the Connecticut Children's Hospital, which took place at Sleeping Giant National Park in Hamden, Connecticut. Kimberly explains: "There are several trails that lead to a castle at the top of the mountain. It garnered a lot of local attention for the charity and for CTYIP. This is an example of being able to participate in this organization and still keep your family involved. My two children climbed the mountain with me. It was a family moment never to be forgotten, especially since I had to carry my four-year-old almost all the way up!"
In addition to helping others through professional organizations, Kimberly gives of herself individually. One of her volunteer commitments is the American Cancer Society's "Road to Recovery" program. Once or twice a month during the workday, she takes cancer patients to treatments. "Joe [Bishop] is supportive of my volunteering during work hours. It is very rewarding," Kimberly says.
Kimberly's family has also been supportive of her career and adult schooling. "My husband, Jim; children, Jimmy and Lauren; mother, siblings and peers have been important to me these last few years," she relates. One of Kimberly's biggest supporters is her twin sister, Caroline, "who is not only my sister, but my best friend," she says. When Kimberly passed the designation exams, Caroline and their mother sent her a beautiful gift basket. The sisters have many similar interests, including playing on the same softball team of which Kimberly is the league president.
Kimberly's future career goals include earning the CIC, CPIA and CPCU designations. "You must understand that it takes time. You just take one class at a time and next thing you know you're there," she says. *