YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Balance, Flexibility, and Community

Posted online

“With a company the size of American National, we have to make sure we’re all on the same page and functioning together. This ensures that we’re not only doing the best for our clients, but also for our employees,” says Bernie Gerwel, sr. vice president and site leader.
“We have two acronyms that we strive for daily at American National,” says Brenda Descamps, strategic HR business partner.

FIRST represents American National’s values as a company and stands for:
Financial Strength – so we can honor our commitments to our clients,
Integrity - we do what’s right,
Respect - we treat all people with empathy, compassion and dignity,
Service - we understand customer’s expectations and strive to exceed them with outstanding service, and
Teamwork.

“Our second acronym is ACE and stands for Agility, Collaboration, and Engagement. That’s how we approach our work.”
Descamps explains that with three other locations in Glenmont, New York, Galveston, Texas and League City, Texas, this second acronym in particular is crucial to the success of the company and key to working well together.
“We have teams that are spread out through two or more of our locations so it is imperative for employees to put ACE into practice in their work every single day and for every single customer.”

Leadership Advancement
American National also invests in employees through leadership training. All employees who are managers go through leadership training but there is also a training program for those who have been identified as having potential for leadership roles within the company.

Flexibility
“We also believe in a work/life balance,” says Shannon Smith, Executive VP and Chief Agencies Officer. A full workday is seven and a half hours compared to most companies’ eight-hour workdays. “That’s an extra two and a half hours per week that you gain to spend time with your family.” The company also supports flexible work schedules within the 37.5-hour workweek.
Employees receive paid time off that kicks in starting with the first day of employment plus three floating holidays to use at their discretion throughout the year. American National also recently revised their dress code to allow employees to wear jeans every day instead of just on Fridays.

Volunteer Program
In 2019, American National launched its volunteer program in order to encourage employees to be actively involved in the community. Employees are paid for a day of volunteering in the community either with one of American National’s agency partners or with the charity or non-profit of their choosing. Some departments choose to use these hours to volunteer as a team but they may also be used individually.
American National supports the United Way and its affiliated non-profits including Harmony House, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Ronald McDonald Tooth Truck, and has participated in the Day of Caring for over 20 years.
In addition, in 2019 American National sent eight employees, seven of whom are veterans themselves, to serve as guardians on the October flight for Honor Flight of the Ozarks.


Highlights
Employees are paid for a day of volunteering in the community with the charity of their choosing.
Flexible work schedule and 37.5 hour work week.
Leadership opportunities and training available at four locations 
throughout US.

American National Insurance Company
Address:
1949 E Sunshine, 
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone:
417-887-4990
Web:
americannational.com
Service:
Insurance

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Business Spotlight: The Right Focus

Helping people is the foremost purpose in business for Angela Stephens. The idea for Re-Focus the Creative Office was born to help her son, Drake Stephens, who had started struggling in school in fifth grade.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences