Clay Trautman doesn’t just get things done. He makes things happen.
That observation was made by Springfield City Manager Greg Burris, Trautman’s mentor in The Network, a networking group for young professionals sponsored by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I am struck by his willingness to jump in and get his hands dirty, creating something that didn’t exist before,” Burris says.
In just a year, Trautman, Liberty Bank’s president of insurance, created “from scratch and with no blue print,” he says, a profitable practice of more than 80 clients with assets of more than $30 million and insurance face amounts valued at over $45 million – for a bank that previously didn’t even have an insurance division. Trautman now oversees and develops insurance business for all 24 Liberty locations.
“My role in my industry primarily consists of both underwriting and issuing life, disability and long-term care policies to small business in the Springfield and surrounding areas,” Trautman says.
“My services consist of mapping out the proper amount of business insurance to serve as collateral of their loans,” he says, ticking off insuring coverage for payroll, key personnel, disability and inventory as invaluable for business owners.
“My clients’ businesses have been dramatically affected by the customer service and financial services I offer, in the sense that they flat-out would not be able to get off the ground and run their businesses properly.”
“Without these policies, their businesses will not succeed.”
Trautman notes that by insuring business owners and by extension their chances for success, his services help bring jobs to the Springfield area and boost the economy by promoting local shopping.
To stay current with insurance industry trends, he is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Trautman’s involvement with NAIFA includes joining the organization’s Young Advisors Team so he can mentor the next generation of business professionals.
He also is on The Network’s Leadership Council for young professionals and is the group’s co-chair of membership; is actively involved in the Springfield and Nixa chambers of commerce; and holds the position of social chairman for the Rotaract of Springfield.
“I have a passion for local nonprofit organizations,” he says.
His contributions include volunteering for Rock’n Ribs; the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce’s Adopt-A-Street program; the Price Cutter Charity Championship; Ozarks Counseling Center; andfor Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, as a former big brother.
Despite his busy schedule, Trautman has made support of the national Epilepsy Foundation a priority.
“As someone who has had a personal experience with epilepsy, it is now my life’s work to generate better awareness of this disorder within our community,” he says, noting he’s honored to be the co-founder and event coordinator for the foundation’s Springfield chapter.
Trautman’s professional accomplishments and community service also were recognized by the Springfield chamber when it bestowed him with the 2014 Young Professional of the Year award.[[In-content Ad]]
