Cresco Insurance Agency specializes in personal, business and farm insurance protection as well as life and health insurance. The independent insurance agency owned and operated by C US Bank in Cresco, recently welcomed Michigan native, Stephen Sopha as the new agency manager. Stephen, his wife Julie and four daughters, Addie, Josie, Ella and Gwen moved from Duluth, Minn. to the Cresco area this past month.
“I started my job on January 4th,” said Stephen. “I didn’t actually apply for the position, but had my resume out there. The agency was looking for a replacement for Bob Lewis. Headhunters found me and a recruiter left me a message over Thanksgiving break.”
Stephen got back to the recruiter, but was told “the position had been offered to someone else.” However, that offer was turned down by the initial candidate. Stephen was interviewed by the recruiter, followed by another interview by C US Bank president, Scott Thomson, and the rest is history.
“My major responsibility is to make sure we are profitable; growing in sales and marketing,” said Stephen. “This also includes vision casting. I am responsible for both the Cresco and Lime Springs offices.”
Sopha’s relative background includes: Corporate Account Manager for Kinko’s in St. Paul, Minn. and Ann Arbor, Mich., Territory Sales Manager for Progressive Insurance in Duluth, Minn. and most recently, Personal Lines Manager for Otis-Magie Insurance, also in Duluth.
The most notable accomplishment within that time frame was in 2001 when Sopha doubled his monthly plan and exceeded over $100,000 in gross sales when working as Corporate Account Manger with Kinko’s. This was a record for that time in Minnesota.
“I think my work with Progressive was a great building block for this job,” said Stephen. “Employed as an agency representative I was able to see what was successful and what wasn’t as far as marketing, to employee compensation as I traveled to various agencies.”
Sopha hopes to bring the agency a better use of technology, whether it is email, the Web site or going paperless. “I hope we grow organically,” said Stephen. “I’d like to see a growth in clients and locations, perhaps branching out to other locations, providing a better reach for the agency.”
Stephen and his family have made big changes since leaving Duluth with a population of roughly 250,000.
“We came from the city to Cresco, and it was a big change,” said Stephen. “But we love it here. I like knowing people and when I am in town not being a stranger.”
The family also enjoys the small town feel and pace. “I can’t stand traffic,” said Stephen. “That’s not an issue here.”
Sopha stated that he “has a love for the outdoors and recreational opportunities.” He has hopes to take advantage of the area’s hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as golf.
“I grew up on a hobby farm, complete with pigs and chickens,” said Stephen. “We rent a farm acreage right now and if we can sell the house in Duluth I hope we can purchase something out in the country.”
Stephen and his wife Julie were married in 1998. “I am from Michigan and my wife is from Mississippi,” said Stephen. “We met in Mexico on a church mission’s trip.”
Julie is a licensed occupational therapist, but now is a stay at home parent who also home schools their four daughters.
Sopha has hopes to become more involved in the community also.
“I would like to coach soccer,” said Stephen. “I played in high school and college and heard there might be a need for me here. Julie and I love to play softball and we hope to join a league this year.”
The family recently attended services at the Community Chapel in Cresco and Sopha said they will continue to attend there.
“In the future we hope to be involved in foster care also,” said Sopha.
With roots in rural America, a love for the small town and family, it seems this family will be a perfect fit for Cresco.
|
|
|
Cresco Insurance Agency specializes in personal, business and farm insurance protection as well as life and health insurance. The independent insurance agency owned and operated by C US Bank in Cresco, recently welcomed Michigan native, Stephen Sopha as the new agency manager. Stephen, his wife Julie and four daughters, Addie, Josie, Ella and Gwen moved from Duluth, Minn. to the Cresco area this past month.
“I started my job on January 4th,” said Stephen. “I didn’t actually apply for the position, but had my resume out there. The agency was looking for a replacement for Bob Lewis. Headhunters found me and a recruiter left me a message over Thanksgiving break.”
Stephen got back to the recruiter, but was told “the position had been offered to someone else.” However, that offer was turned down by the initial candidate. Stephen was interviewed by the recruiter, followed by another interview by C US Bank president, Scott Thomson, and the rest is history.
“My major responsibility is to make sure we are profitable; growing in sales and marketing,” said Stephen. “This also includes vision casting. I am responsible for both the Cresco and Lime Springs offices.”
Sopha’s relative background includes: Corporate Account Manager for Kinko’s in St. Paul, Minn. and Ann Arbor, Mich., Territory Sales Manager for Progressive Insurance in Duluth, Minn. and most recently, Personal Lines Manager for Otis-Magie Insurance, also in Duluth.
The most notable accomplishment within that time frame was in 2001 when Sopha doubled his monthly plan and exceeded over $100,000 in gross sales when working as Corporate Account Manger with Kinko’s. This was a record for that time in Minnesota.
“I think my work with Progressive was a great building block for this job,” said Stephen. “Employed as an agency representative I was able to see what was successful and what wasn’t as far as marketing, to employee compensation as I traveled to various agencies.”
Sopha hopes to bring the agency a better use of technology, whether it is email, the Web site or going paperless. “I hope we grow organically,” said Stephen. “I’d like to see a growth in clients and locations, perhaps branching out to other locations, providing a better reach for the agency.”
Stephen and his family have made big changes since leaving Duluth with a population of roughly 250,000.
“We came from the city to Cresco, and it was a big change,” said Stephen. “But we love it here. I like knowing people and when I am in town not being a stranger.”
The family also enjoys the small town feel and pace. “I can’t stand traffic,” said Stephen. “That’s not an issue here.”
Sopha stated that he “has a love for the outdoors and recreational opportunities.” He has hopes to take advantage of the area’s hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as golf.
“I grew up on a hobby farm, complete with pigs and chickens,” said Stephen. “We rent a farm acreage right now and if we can sell the house in Duluth I hope we can purchase something out in the country.”
Stephen and his wife Julie were married in 1998. “I am from Michigan and my wife is from Mississippi,” said Stephen. “We met in Mexico on a church mission’s trip.”
Julie is a licensed occupational therapist, but now is a stay at home parent who also home schools their four daughters.
Sopha has hopes to become more involved in the community also.
“I would like to coach soccer,” said Stephen. “I played in high school and college and heard there might be a need for me here. Julie and I love to play softball and we hope to join a league this year.”
The family recently attended services at the Community Chapel in Cresco and Sopha said they will continue to attend there.
“In the future we hope to be involved in foster care also,” said Sopha.
With roots in rural America, a love for the small town and family, it seems this family will be a perfect fit for Cresco.
