Ozarks Profile: Jim Enyart

Tell us about your company:

Ollis & Company was founded in 1885 by the Ollis family and is now an employee-owned, all-lines insurance agency with Richard Ollis serving as president and CEO. Ron Ollis remains active in the business as chairman.

How did you come to choose insurance as a career?

I watched a good friend go into the insurance business and become very successful. I decided that I would follow in my grandfather's footsteps and my good friend Bob Falks' example and become an insurance agent.

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?

I would change the misconception that the insurance companies are in the business to take our money and not pay claims as they should. Insurance companies are regulated by state laws. In disaster situations, I don't know what the people would do without insurance companies to help them start putting their lives back together.

What strategies do you recommend to clients to reduce insurance

costs in these challenging times?

Improve your coverages by buying all-risk policies when available. Increase your liability limits and reduce insurance costs by selecting large deductibles. Make sure the coverage is there first, then save money with large deductibles.

Tell us about your family:

My wife, Diana, and I have three sons: Wes, Darin and Bob. Wes and his wife, Diane, have two children: Blake and Aubrey. Darin is single and Bob and his wife, Lori, are expecting a boy in September.

Tell us about your spare-

time pursuits.

I'm past president of Ozarks Literacy Council and a member in Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club. I enjoy working around the house and doing small projects in the yard. My favorite activity is spending time with my wife and family.