Meet Anthony Howard, a Production Underwriter in our Commercial Lines department!
A Texas native and graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio, Anthony joined our Mountain States Team back in 2021. With two decades of underwriting experience under his belt, he’s played a critical role in our growing success in the Lonestar State.
Get to know Anthony a little bit more!
Hometown: Killeen, Texas (Fort Hood)
A walk back through his career to date…
“I originally went to college on an Army Nursing Scholarship. Life happens, and you have to adjust your course, which directed me to insurance. I have been in the insurance industry since 1999. My career began with Sentry Insurance out of Stevens Point, Wisconsin as producer. I remember Y2K fears, typewriters, paper maps, carbon copies, and Polaroid’s for new business submission. I have also worked as an underwriting assistant, renewal desk underwriter and production underwriter.”
What is your favorite part about being an underwriter?
“Every day is new, and I get to look at new opportunities and find out what they do and how they do it. I get to view the backbone of America’s economy. Our industry is always changing, from appetite, to policy forms, court ruling and technology.”
What are your favorite ways to connect with agents?
“I prefer to connect with agents on a one on one level to get to know them. Generally at Independent Insurance Agent Events such as golf, clay shooting, cooking competitions, luncheons, young professional or college recruitment events or other charity events . I prefer on a one on one interaction to get to know them and let them know how we are different. All my agency partners attend these events. I try to find out who the gatekeeper is in the agency. It could be the principle, the seasoned account manager, or the hungry young producer.”
What makes Donegal/Mountain States different?
“I have been asked several times by other carriers, ‘What is our Secret Sauce’? I think it’s simple: One Team, One Goal. We focus on profits, and agency communication. We pick up the phone. I know it seems simple, but not every carrier does.”
On weekends, you can find me…
“On the field! I’m very active, throughout the week and weekend. I coach Girls U12 Softball, I play adult softball, and I play on two adult soccer teams at the age of 52 (Over 30 and Over 40). I also try to spend as much time as I can with my daughter, who is 13. It’s fascinating to see them grow and develop the own personality and thoughts.”
Something no one would know about me…
“I work remotely from home, and I have a boom microphone and speaker by my desk. I sometimes like sing while working. (Adele, Post Malone, Garth Brooks, Morgan Wallen). I’ll pretty much try to sing anything.”
Ask me about…
“My unique friend circle! I have a unique group of friends and teammates that I play with. I play softball with a member of Board of Regents for Baylor University. My softball team has several successful innovators who created some of the first point of sales machines for debit and credit card transactions. I also have a group of friends from South America, Africa and Europe who are highly educated and accomplished. We politely discuss everything from economics to politics, investments, global issues, relationships and religion. We actually present charts, data, and graphs. Truly a unique thing in today’s world, which I cherish.
What Anthony’s colleagues are saying…
Anthony handles new business production within the Texas marketplace. Anthony has been instrumental in the profitable growth we have seen in Texas over the past several years. His exceptional performance sets a high standard that helps to elevate the entire Texas team. His ability to consistently meet deadlines and deliver quality work to his agents is instrumental to our success in the state.
It’s been a great pleasure working with Anthony the last few years in Texas. Anthony’s agents love working with him. Not only is he great at producing new business, but he understands the role marketing plays in appointing and maintaining great agency relationships, and has a deep desire to grow Texas profitably with our agents. Additionally, he mentors a few young producers in our state, and gives them feedback on their accounts, even if we cannot write their business. Anthony is fun to be around, is usually the life of the party at agency and industry events, and has a great reputation across the state. Anthony exemplifies what it means to have a ‘One Team approach’.