ONTARIO, Ohio — The concept of teamwork is something both Brian and Michelle Gates are quite familiar with–from their marriage of 27 years, to their careers as State Farm Insurance agents in Ontario–they know what it means to work together as a team.
High school sweethearts, the Gates were married in October of 1987. They both graduated from The Ohio State University, where Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics and Michelle earned a bachelor’s in business education.
Brian said he grew interested in the insurance industry in college and spoke with his former insurance agent, Gary Feagin of State Farm Insurance, about how he could obtain a career in that field. Feagin helped bridge a connection between Brian and State Farm management, who later hired Brian as an agent serving the Willard area.
In 1997, he transferred to Ontario, where he’s been working for the last 18 years.
Michelle worked at Madison Adult Career Center for 13 years after she graduated from OSU.
“One of the things I liked about education was helping people and in adult education, I helped people who were looking to re-enter the workforce or maybe do career and job changes,” said Michelle. “And I could kind of see a lot of the same things with insurance,” in terms of helping people, she said.
Thus, in 2000, she became an insurance agent for State Farm in Willard. Five years later, she transferred to Ontario and set up shop alongside her husband at 2021 Park Avenue West in Suite 100.
Working together in the same business has proved beneficial, they said.
“In my opinion, I think we work very well together,” said Brian. “I’m more big picture, and Michelle’s more detail-oriented, which you need in this business, so I appreciate that very much.”
An important aspect of their business, they said, is their team members, including Deb Carpenter, Deb Gwizdowski, Pam Radebaugh and Caralee Fehr. “Without them we would be unable to volunteer or help in the community. We can’t say enough on how appreciative we are of them,” said Brian.
Sometimes they recruit high school and college students to work at their office as part of a summer internship or for part time work, which they said they enjoy doing.
“I think we get more out of it than they do sometimes,” said Brian. “They bring a new energy to the office…we get excited about that.”
“Most times the students that we’ve had in the past have never worked in an office environment, so this may be their first experience with dressing professionally, phone etiquette, how to greet people, and so on, said Michelle.
“We just try to make it a very positive environment for them for growth and learning. A lot of times they’ll bring ideas to the table we may not have considered.”
“And that’s what’s nice about a small office because we can make those changes and say, ‘Okay, let’s give it a try,'” added Brian.
Their sons, Brandon and Tyler, have both helped support the business. Brandon worked in the office and became one of the agency’s team members after he graduated. Tyler has helped facilitate different events that the agency has been part of and has served as the State Farm mascot, the Good NeighBear, on different occasions.
In addition to maintaining a successful operation, the Gates strive to be involved in the community.
“That’s what’s nice about the job we have because we have the time to be able to help out,” said Brian. “We just think it’s important to make it a better community.”
Brian has served as an assistant football coach at Ontario Local Schools for 12 years. He is the past president of the Ontario Youth Sports program, charter member of the Ontario Growth Association and former president of the Ontario Athletic Booster Club. Michelle is a member of the Ontario Booster Club and has helped with concessions at many Ontario Local Schools functions over the years.
They’ve also helped sponsor the OGA car show, Ontario 4th of July Festival, the Ontario Cross Country Invitational (Bill Brown Classic) and youth sports teams.
As for future plans, Brian shared, “We like what do and we’ll continue doing it as long as the good Lord lets us.”
