Nestled in a sleepy shopping center in North Macon is an insurance agency with a not so sleepy record of helping customers and the community. Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance is a unique agency with an unlikely alliance between three titans of industry in Middle Georgia.
Amanda Roland is a longtime Maconite, even by Macon standards. She and her family moved to Macon from Lousiville, Kentucky in 1984 when the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Plant moved to town.
“I love the history of Macon-Bibb. The musical heritage rivals just about any other city in the country. What other town can claim artists from Otis Redding to Jason Aldean? The history here is unmatched.”
It wasn’t until 2000 that Amanda moved into insurance and quickly hit her stride by specializing in workers comp issues. Amanda embodies southern charm and elegance, however, mistake this for timidity at your own expense.
Amanda found that one new client had been overcharged on their workers comp by $100,000 by another company. She fought ruthlessly for the client and got them the money. Needless to say, that person is now a lifelong client.
Sean DeZoort is the newest partner to join the team, however, that doesn’t mean he’s a novice. Sean has worked in the industry for 30 years and owned his own agency for the majority of that time.
Since Sean joined the Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance team, business has boomed. Personal and commercial policies have been written at a record pace. This peaked my interest because it’s no secret there are a lot of insurance agencies in the area. I was curious why Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort has thrived in recent years compared to the competition?
“We listen and we answer. It’s that simple. Every person’s insurance needs are different. If we don’t listen to your unique situation to understand your needs, you’re either going to get a policy that is too expensive, or worse, a policy that does not properly protect you. We offer the right coverage at the right price and we answer the phone.”
Sean, a Georgia fan and fitness/hunting enthusiast, fittingly has the upstairs office in the company complex. This mountain biking, trail running triathlete isn’t exactly the guy who takes the elevator.
If you find yourself at a Mercer sporting event and see a tall guy with dark hair next to the court/field overly invested in the game, there’s a good chance it’s Louis Abbott. Louis is not just a Mercer fanatic, but a sports fanatic, sometimes attending multiple games in the same day.
One fall Sunday recently, Louis and his son went to the Falcons vs Panthers game, followed by game 5 of the World Series. Of course, this was only after going to church. While some use sports as an escape from family, Louis has made it something for his family to enjoy together. The Abbotts attend multiple games a year as a family. If Mercer is playing, they are probably there.
Louis, a Mercer grad, and his wife Jana, an Emory grad, recently started a fund to provide longterm support to the football program at Mercer University. The 1892 Fund will ensure fall Saturdays in Middle Georgia always have football at Five Star Stadium.
I asked Louis if Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance had an internal motto or a mission statement. I knew the answer to this question before asking it because I heard another employee mention it on the way in the door. “God first, family second, work third.” While most mission statements sound like they were concocted by a corporate board to say nothing and offend no one, this emphasis on keeping priorities in line is part of the secret sauce at Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance.
Louis added “we believe in Matthew 7:12, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you.’ This applies to the way our employees treat each other and the way we treat our clients. It’s good business and it’s the right thing to do.”
This sentiment is reflected with an impressive 4.9 out of 5 star rating on Google.
As vocal advocates for the Middle Georgia community, the entire team takes giving back quite seriously. It is not uncommon to see the white and navy Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance sign at a high school basketball game or a community fundraiser.
After interviewing everyone at Roland, Abbott, and DeZoort Insurance, it is no wonder business is flourishing for them. They have assembled an all star team of specialized experts who just so happen to be good people. They do what they say, when they say they will do it. More of this, please.
This blog first appeared in Idle Hour Magazine