Thomas Ross

10 Questions with Tom Ross

1. What does the American Dream mean to you?
   The American Dream is the ability to help others while be able to continue to grow and develop both personally and professionally.
2. What does the Ansay Way mean to you?
   The Ansay Way to me is to make sure that we are taking care of our client's needs at a top-level while proactively searching for solutions that may affect them in the future.
3. In your personal experience, how does Ansay differentiate in the marketplace?
   Throughout the organization, Ansay & Associates has built a culture where everyone counts, and everyone matters and that we will all go to the highest levels to help our clients.
4. Why were you drawn to work at Ansay & Associates?
   After meeting with Mike and some of the management team I knew I had found a company that cared about people whether it be clients, co-workers, or insurance company personnel.
5. Give us a view of the company – what is it like working at Ansay?
   Ansay & Associates gives me as a Producer the opportunity to not only make a living but to be able to chase my personal dreams all while representing an agency that has very strong ethical morals. I have the freedom to be successful while also having the support of a Service Team to help me grow and prosper.
6. Describe your approach to working with your clients.
   I believe in building a level of trust based on work ethic, industry knowledge, finding solutions, and to be available when my clients need me.
7. Do you have any area of specific focus in terms of industry or market?
   Market size - over 20 employees.
8. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
   The ability to make each day better than the last.
9. What would your clients say about you?
   I am an agent that brings integrity and hard work and will work closely with them to provide solutions to their problems.
10. What is one of your favorite client stories?
    Overall I and my team have proven over the years how flexible and strategic we can be with our various clients.  Because I am not focusing on just one industry we need to be able to react to multiple issues.  Some of the client issues that we have been able to resolve or create a successful plan include:

    1-  Establishing an Employee Worksite clinic for a large employer to help reduce overall medical costs and to improve the wellness of the employees and their families.  By starting the clinic and promoting a wellness program that includes analytical data we can do predictive modeling to curve future costs as well as taking care of the employees' needs today.

    2- We took over an Employee Benefits program for a company during a management buyout and had to be able to develop a new program while maintaining confidentiality.  We were able to successfully put in place a new program in a matter of days with new insurance carriers, better coverage, and fewer costs while not having any interruption for the employees.  This made for a smooth transition and developing the employee's confidence in the new owners during what could have been an unsettling time.

    3-We have seen a client grow from 5 employees to 150 in a few short years and during this time we have been able to adjust to the business needs while developing a more diverse Employee Benefits Program and help in the recruitment and retention of the new employees. By meeting quarterly and not just discussing their current plans but planning on what their needs are in the future we have been able to grow with them. These are just three examples of how I and my team will work with each client to meet their needs as their businesses continue to change and grow.  We do not take a cookie-cutter approach to their needs we examine each client individually and develop and maintain a plan that fits them at that time while strategically working with them to secure their futures.

11. Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
    "Live every day to the fullest"