McCarron is owner of Lakeside Insurance, based in Arvada, Colorado. He’s also an accomplished athlete, and spends time outside the office mentoring the next generation of insurance agents
By Elise Linscott
Q: How did you get into the insurance industry?
A: I graduated from the University of Michigan and wanted to move to Colorado. I did not have a job so I interviewed with a large insurance carrier and worked as an underwriter for about a year. I then decided that I wanted to look at agency opportunities and purchased an agency with the help of my father.
Q: What makes Lakeside Insurance stand out from the competition?
A: Lakeside has moved into personal lines to become an agent to the mass affluent and affluent. These clients are more sticky and need and value our expert advice. In the business insurance arena we have morphed from a main street agency into niche markets where we have a very deep knowledge of our clientele’s business and can offer detailed industry specific advice, solutions, and insurance placement.
Q: As president of business insurance for Lakeside, you play an important role. What’s your favorite part of the job?
A: As an owner I have the luxury to focus on different facets of the business at different times. Early in my career, growth captivated me. Acquisitions, organic, it was all fun. More recently I have focused on working to develop the next generation of talent. I have a role with the CU Denver Business School. I participate on an advisory board and I guest lecture and sit on panels for their students to discuss the independent agent perspective. I am currently working to bring the curriculum into a large community college in my county.
Q: If you had one piece of advice for young people aspiring to one day be as successful in insurance as you, what would it be?
A: Reputation is everything in this business. My advice would be to get educated on the products that you sell. As agents we need to truly be experts on policy form and coverages. Clients rely on you for expert guidance. You can’t let them down.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I have won national championships in soccer and rugby.
