Ozarks Profile: Emily C. Burton

Tell us about your company.

We are an independent agency and sell mostly auto and home insurance, although we also sell some small-business insurance.

In 1946 my grandfather, Wiley Proctor, began selling insurance. In 1958, he established an insurance agency in Willard, and then in 1967 moved the agency to Kearney Street in Springfield. At that time my grandmother, Neva, also began selling insurance. In 1968, my dad, Jerry, and his brother Darrell obtained their licenses and began selling insurance out of the agency. Dad's older brother, Kerry, also obtained his license and bought an agency. At that time all five members of the Wiley Proctor family were working in the insurance industry as agents. By the late 1970s Kerry had Banta Insurance (now known as Banta-Benham and Associates) in Marshfield, my grandfather and dad had Proctor Insurance Agency, and Darrell had Proctor-Jarvis Insurance (now known as PJC Insurance and under new owners), both located in Springfield. In the early 1980s, my grandfather left the business and dad became the sole owner of Proctor Insurance Agency. In 1998, I started working at the agency as bookkeeper and file clerk. In 2001, my brother, Ransom, and I received our licenses and started selling property and casualty insurance. Today Proctor Insurance is made up of Jerry Proctor, owner/ insurance broker; Joy Neil, office manager and agent; Ransom Proctor, agent; and myself. We are located at 2411 W. Kearney St., just three blocks from the original Springfield location.

What is your job?

I am licensed to sell auto and home insurance. I also do some bookkeeping and computer input for the agency.

What attracted you to the insurance industry?

The family history in the industry was a big draw for me. I thought it would be neat to carry on what my grandfather started. It also gives me the opportunity to work with some of my family.

What's the best part of your job?

Helping people secure their homes or autos by giving them a policy they are happy with is by far the best part of this job. Being in this industry and working with the public gives me the opportunity to meet some of the best people.

What other jobs/businesses are you involved with?

My family also owns Jerry's General Store in Willard, and a 580-acre beef cattle farm in the Stockton Lake area. I do the bookkeeping and some of the purchasing for the store and help out when needed on the farm.

What are your favorite spare-time pursuits?

I enjoy playing softball as well as other outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. They are a great way for me to relax and get some exercise.