Socius
Spotlight

IN THIS FEATURE:

Charlie Sturm

Management, Professional and Cyber

Vice President, Producer

Let’s start off with some work related questions.

Q: What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

A: Work ethic, being personable, and creativity. Above all else, I believe the best producers at their core are grinders who will do what it takes to get an account bound. However, work ethic will only get you so far. The best wholesalers are problem solvers which takes creativity on how to write an account, as well as being personable enough to have underwriters provide the best terms at a price that works for both the insured and the carrier. Wholesalers must bridge the gap between underwriters and agents/insured, which requires good, quality relationships on both sides.

Q: What do you like best about your job?

A: I absolutely love meeting new people, building relationships with work colleagues, and spending time with friends in this industry. Some of my best friends are underwriters and brokers that I work with on a daily basis. Whether talking on the phone, working through an account, grabbing a drink after work, or getting out on the golf course, it never feels like work to me. I think it helps place more business, because when you have people that care about each other, it makes them more willing to find a solution on an account.

Q: How do you create motivation for yourself and for your team?

A: When I started with Socius three years ago, they did not have a presence in the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions. In fact, most people never even heard the name Socius before I started. Socius has given me and my team an incredible opportunity as we were handed a blank canvas and can paint our own picture. We have seen tremendous growth in three short years, and we strive to make Socius a top wholesaler in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas.

Now let’s find out a little more about your life outside the office.

Q: Who is someone you admire, and why?

A: My dad. I am the middle of five kids, and my parents had the first four of us in a six year span. As a new parent myself, I know if could not have been easy raising all of us at the same time, and yet, growing up, my dad coached all of our sports teams, took care of us when we needed it, and never missed a single important moment in our lives. All my siblings and myself went on to graduate from college, are starting our own families, and are still as close as ever. That is an incredible accomplishment and I truthfully do not know how my dad did it all – but he did.

Q: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

A: I play guitar and dabble on keyboard. I love music of all kinds and it is a great mental escape to pick up the guitar and learn new songs from a band you just discovered. My son, Matt, also loves music and it brings me incredible joy to play for him while he sits in awe of the different sounds. His “guitar”, which is an old ukulele of mine, never leaves his side and you can hear him strumming it all around the house.

Q: What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?

A: I try to find a some time every day to take a moment and hit the reset button. A wholesaler is a 24/7 job, as we are up early tracking down underwriters in London, while accommodating clients in different time zones, which can mean late night conference calls. Again, most of my brokers and underwriters I consider friends, so I will always make myself available to help them – no matter the time of day. Because of this, I make it a point to find my spots to clear my head, spend time with my wife and son, and just relax, so that I am ready to go when my brokers need me.

Thanks for sharing a little of your story with us.

At Socius Insurance we truly believe that is it our unique partnership of talented people that make us Your Competitive Edge in Wholesale Insurance.

Come back regularly to sociusinsurance.com to find out who we shine the spotlight on next.