By Lorie Ham
On September 25, 2023, Mennonite Insurance Services/Mennonite Aid Plan (MAP) added new employee Marcus Mahling to the team! Marcus is the new Regional Sales Manager for the company. This month we are taking a moment to introduce him to everyone. He was actually born and raised in Reedley and attended Great Western Elementary and Navelencia Middle School until seventh grade, but now lives in Durham, California.
Question: I know you were born in Reedley and left the area in 1996, can you tell us more about your family background here?
Marcus: My great-grandparents settled in the Dinuba / Reedley area in the late 1800s, where they were farmers and ranchers. My grandmother owned a beauty shop in downtown Reedley in the ‘40s called Ship of Beauty and my grandfather was a farmer and owned an earthmoving company. My youth was spent on my family’s 40-acre farm off Goodfellow Ave. in Reedley, where I grew up.
Question: What are your specific duties with MAP?
Marcus: I will be responsible for the profitable growth and increase in direct written premium and policy count for the organization. I will support, coach, and develop the MAP sales and service team in the Reedley office. I will create an Independent Agent Network by recruiting trusted advisors within our communities and provide continued training, coaching, and support to our appointed agents. Lastly, I will be responsible for building brand recognition within our communities through social media and outreach marketing campaigns.
Question: How did you end up working there and why were you interested in the job?
Marcus: I was originally contacted by a recruiter who thought my qualifications and background would fit Mennonite Aid Plan’s open position. As I learned more about Mennonite Aid Plan, the more I loved what they represented and who they served. I saw this position as an opportunity to utilize my skills and business experiences to help grow such a reputable company.
Question: Were you already familiar with the company?
Marcus: No, I had no clue there was a religious based non-profit insurance company in California. I have learned so much about MAP over the past few weeks and I am thoroughly impressed with what they have created and how they have been able to navigate the different channels within the department of insurance over the past 100 years. The fact that Mennonite Aid Plan is the only religious based non-profit insurance company on the West Coast is quite a feat on its own.
Question: What is your work background? Have you done this type of work before?
Marcus: I am joining MAP after a productive career with Farmers Insurance, where I was an Agency Owner before stepping into the role of the Life and Commercial Agency Business Consultant. During that time, I trained and supported 74 Agency Owners throughout Northern California in growing their Life and Commercial Books of Business. Throughout my career, I have specialized in relationship sales and building strategic partnerships. I have always prided myself on developing strong teams while helping individuals accomplish their own goals. With degrees in Business Management and Marketing, I will help build brand recognition and grow MAP’s market share on the West Coast.
Question: Will you be moving back to Reedley for the job or working remotely?
Marcus: No, I will be primarily working out of my home office in Durham. Since my territory will cover California, Oregon, and Washington, I am centrally located within our service area. I will be spending a considerable amount of time in Reedley in the beginning, as we develop our Independent Agent Network.
Question: What do you think you will like best about this type of work?
Marcus: I love meeting new people and building relationships. I am excited to be able to work within the different communities and spotlight Mennonite Aid Plan as the premier Mennonite/ Anabaptist Insurance company on the West Coast.
Question: What do you feel will be the hardest?
Marcus: I am a person that looks at challenges as opportunities. Our first real opportunity is developing an independent agent network on the West Coast and creating the systems to easily onboard new agents. We will need to ensure we create a solid foundation and have all our contingencies in order.
Question: Can you tell us about your family?
Marcus: Yes, my wonderful wife, Andrea, is a Special Education teacher at the local elementary school, and we have three amazing children, ages 10, 8, and 5.
Question: Do you have any pets?
Marcus: We love our pets and have a small hobby farm. Currently, we have 20 chickens, 3 dogs (2 Pugs and a German Sheppard), 2 rabbits, 2 parakeets, 1 cat, and 1 duck.
Question: Do you have any hobbies?
Marcus: I love the outdoors and I am always up for camping, riding motorcycles, or spending the day on the lake. My wife and I enjoy being part of our community by participating in community events and coaching various sports and activities our children participate in throughout the year. Currently, we are involved in Scouts, soccer, volleyball, softball, and baseball.
Question: What are your visions for MAP at this early stage?
Marcus: Within the first 90 days, my focus will be on building brand recognition by increasing our social media presence. We will utilize a number of platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram to spotlight our products and services. We will also focus on developing an Independent Agent Network and work toward appointing trusted Insurance Advisors within our communities.
Question: Thanks so much for chatting with us. Is there anything you would like to add?
Marcus: I am excited to come back to my hometown and work with such a talented group of dedicated Insurance Advisors. I am honored to represent a strong brand and work within the Mennonite communities. I look forward to serving the community and helping grow the Mennonite Aid Plan footprint. If there is anything I can do to help your congregation or assist you with any insurance needs, please feel free to reach out to me at 707-272-7644.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Marcus. Why not stop by the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page and say hi!
