New State Farm agent

Katie (Schroeder) Gonzales can’t help thinking she is the benefactor of divine intervention. A 2012 Waseca High School graduate, she is finishing her training as a State Farm Insurance agent and will be leading the Waseca agency as of August 1.

Gonzales had worked at two State Farm offices over the past 10 years or so as she had moved to various locations around the U.S. But as she and her husband Andrew, along with their toddler son, Levi, moved back to the Waseca area last spring to be near family, she never imagined there might be an opening for her in an office as well established as Gloria Butler’s.

She did call the agency to make some changes in one of her family’s policies and happened to mention her experience…but only by way of making conversation.

A few days later, she got a call from Butler.

Gonzales remembers, “She asked me, “Had you heard that I’m retiring?”’

The phone call began a nearly whirlwind process. Butler recommended Gonzales to State Farm as a strong candidate to move into her position. Gonzales was interviewed and selected last November and has been following through with the testing and training process ever since. She and 20 other agents from all over the country have been attending online sessions together.

Courses have covered laws and regulations, financial and investment programs and much more.

“Gloria has left such a legacy,” says Gonzales. “I’m going to build on the service and knowledge she shared with her customers and help keep them moving forward. 

“It has been an incredible journey and opportunity.” 

When asked what advantages customers can find in working with a local agency, Gonzales shares some of her own past experiences.

“I think we all know how it can go,” she says. “You call some national number and are asked to enter various numbers. Then you might have to find all kinds of numbers and enter them in a form. When your call finally gets routed to a person, you sit on hold. 

“If you call about the same problem more than once, you go through that same process each time, and you speak to a different person.

“That won’t happen here.”

Gonzales points out that long-time State Farm team members Barb Draheim and Debbie Rodriguez are still in place to continue helping those customers who have been with the company for some time and those she expects to work with as they seek out State Farm’s services. 

“We’re right here,” she says. “We know you, we know your community. We can get to know your needs and help make sure they’re met.”

Gonzales says she hopes to meet with every customer to review their portfolios. 

“One thing about insurance,” she says lightheartedly, “is that people don’t believe they need it until they discover how badly they need it.”

She shares a personal example: During a move, she and her husband rented a 26’ moving truck and filled it with their furniture and other possessions. To their dismay, Andrew and the truck were caught by 90 mph winds while driving on a freeway: the vehicle rolled over and was badly damaged. Nearly all their possessions were ruined or lost.

Prior to the move they had made the decision to only make the drive with their personal coverage. Gonzales shakes her head, “We’re still rebuilding,” she comments. “The damage to the truck was covered, but the cost of our belongings was not.”

Apparently an optimist, she observes: “It could have been worse. For example, if our things had been in a building that burned down, there would have been the loss of the building, too.”

Along with her own “worst-case scenario,” Gonzales remembers a time when she was working with another State Farm agency. An agent had reviewed a customer’s coverage and suggested that the coverage on a certain building on the property seemed “a bit low.” The customer had taken the agent’s advice and increased the policy. 

“When that same building happened to burn down about 6 months later, it was covered. Without that review, there would have only been about $30,000 of coverage for a $100,000 building.” 

Whether folks are insured through State Farm or not, Gonzales says she will be glad to review their policies. “It’s my job to look out for people’s best interests,” she says. “If folks already have the best coverage for their needs, I will be glad to tell them so.

“Whatever savings or property you might have, you are your own best asset. Your ability to stay employed and earn a wage is incredibly important.

“I want to help you protect that.”

Thanks to her recent training, Gonzales says that she can advise customers not only about insurance, but about investments and financial planning.

“Gloria has been very helpful in making this transition as smooth and seamless as possible,” Gonzales comments. “Between us, Barb, Debbie, and I have almost 70 years’ experience to help folks manage their accounts and their needs. 

“I want to meet everyone, help everyone find a balance that they can be comfortable with.”

In addition to serving her customers, Gonzales says, “I look forward to giving back to the community that raised me.”

Remembering her time with the high school programs, she says she expects to help support them. Thinking of her community as a whole, she has already joined the Chamber of Commerce, and expects to be helping at the organization’s booth during the county fair.

“I want to get to know everyone,” she says enthusiastically. “It feels good to be home.”