Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

Garrard marks 40 years

Last Friday, clients, fellow agents and State Farm executives helped Bill Garrard celebrate 40 years as a insurance agent with the company. He began his State Farm career Oct. 1, 1965.

His entire career has been spent on East Georgia Avenue in Fayetteville, in one building or the other. The first office was on the north side of the road and was in the back of a service station. Garrard rented the room that the business owner stored his oil in and met customers in his "office" - the insurance discussions were often dotted with interruptions of someone coming to get a can of oil.

One of the first policies he ever sold was to a farmer who was out after 10 p.m. working his field. Garrard was headed home but decided if the man could be out working that late, so could he. That was the start of a lot of late nights and long weeks back in the "lean" days. That man helped Garrard to realize that success comes from hard work and to those willing to pay the price of hard labor.

Garrard has always stood by the motto that your word is the most important thing a business person can have. He has always tried to keep his word and stood by the "handshake" as a gentleman's agreement. Of course, the insurance business has also included a lot of paperwork to back up that handshake. Garrard credits his father with instilling the values and work ethic in him that has helped him be successful thought these years.

Long-time clients came by the office during the day Friday to send their good wishes. They included Walter and Mary Stanley and Ed Thomas and Paul and Doris Donaldson, who have been clients since Garrard began his career. Madeline Pasch, a 13-year client, commented that Garrard has put together a tremendous staff of helpful and professional agents who have always provided superior service.

Agency Vice President Steve Sumner came in to present a 40 Year Anniversary Plaque on behalf of State Farm Corporate and named some of the achievements that Garrard has accomplished in his career. They include qualifying for the Presidents Club on twelve different occasions and 23 years straight in the Ambassadors Program. Both are outstanding achievements that very few agents every accomplish.

Agency manager Sam Morris noted that Garrard has been a role model and inspiration to him as well as the other agents that have come along, and he has always represented State Farm in a manner that reflects what a "good neighbor agent" is all about.

“Bill has been known as a big man with a gentle spirit and is concerned for and will help those in needs. He has never forgotten or forsaken his roots or core values and the loyalty and love for this man has been evident by those who came to honor him today,” said Morris.