Changes

In 1985, Jeff was hired as a file clerk to work in the State Office for Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Working his way up through the organization while attending full-time night school, he worked in various positions including administrative services, claims, underwriting and auditing. Throughout this entire time, Jeff's passion for entrepreneurship was fueled through his first business, Hastings Sign Company. At just 20-years young, Jeff negotiated a contract with a local sign builder to allow him and five (5) of his employees to use his shop in exchange for his three personally built computers and a 20" CAMM-1 digital sign printer. Lasting for 9-years, Jeff sold his business to move back to his home town of Houston, Texas where he opened his own insurance agencyand entered a training program to become a district manager.

In 1996, Jeff was promoted to run an entire sales territory, and at the time, at 30-years old he was one of the youngest district managers in the companies history. Starting with just 17-agents in his operation, he quickly became known for two things: recruiting and agency automation.

Recruiting was easy. Jeff had a passion for small business and was excited to tell everyone about it. Growing his district to almost 70 agents and over 150 employees, his team generated an estimated $85 million in annualized premium, $16 14.6 million in commissions, and a record $13 million in corporate profits. Often being recognized for his teams performance, the pinnacle of his career came in 2005 when he received the companies highest award, District Manager of the Year. Competing with 500 of his peers across the country, this success did not come without sacrifice. Divorced after 15-years of marriage and his health failing, Jeff later retired at the age of 47 to write books and build a consulting agency which is now known as ContractCoach.com.