2016 40 Under 40 Honoree: Thomas Jensen, 34

When Thomas Jensen joined Connell Insurance Inc. in September 2013, the employee benefits practice leader was tasked with rebuilding the department and creating a new service strategy for the business. Two years later, he’s helped add a combined 19 new employees. Among the most rewarding of his professional experiences, Jensen counts working with area health care leaders and the Nixa school board to implement a Dyslexia-specific curriculum for area third-grade students, in addition to helping ensure an ACA-compliant health plan for more than 60 business members of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers.

What was your first job? I was a beekeeper for a farmer in South Dakota that had an operation of approximately 500 beehives. And yes, I was stung a lot.

What did you learn the hard way? You can’t be all things to all people. Find out what you are great at, and stay true to your core mission.

What is your theme song? “Born To Be Wild.” As the youngest of four boys, I strived to reach for more in life. This desire not only led me to leave my home state for college, but also helped me find my way to the Ozarks.   

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To make time stand still.

Besides your family, what’s your most treasured possession? My childhood collection of football, baseball and basketball trading cards. Every now and then, I pull out the totes the cards are stored in and lose an afternoon flipping through them with my son.