River City Six: Karla Wilson
UNICO Group (www.unicogroup.com) is the area’s largest independently owned, full-service insurance and financial services agency. Karla Wilson is an Individual Health/Medicare Product Producer at UNICO Group.
Tell us a little about your position. – I specialize in Individual Health Care needs for individual and family health insurance plans, and am certified to work with companies such as BlueCross BlueShield, Coventry, Medica, and United Healthcare as well as the Health Insurance Marketplace. I also assist with transition to Medicare for those turning 65 or considering Medicare to help with Medicare Supplements, Prescription Drug plans, or Advantage plans. Sometimes that’s simply just to answer questions and help decipher what applies in each particular situation.
How did you get started in the business? – After being raised on a family farm near David City and graduating from Aquinas High School, I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UNL. My first job was in advertising sales with an aviation trade publication for 8 years with Sandhill’s Publishing. My introduction to the insurance industry came when I worked with a State Farm agent who operated a satellite office in Seward, NE. Then a passion for seniors led me to NYE Health Services at Gateway Vista, a full continuum care community in Lincoln, where my focus was census development & marketing. Getting back into the insurance industry in 2015, I feel rewarded to work for a great company where I can help others with insurance needs that matter most.
Tell us a little about your family. – I’m happily married to Britton Wilson, who is a professional mechanical engineer with Clark Enersen Partners in Lincoln, NE. He also serves as a captain and bioenvironmental engineer for the 185th Air National Guard refueling wing in Sioux City, IA. We have been blessed with two sons, Brody (4) and Beau (2), with another on the way in October 2016! You will find us spending time together outdoors; hunting for frogs, digging in the dirt or taking walks to the parks. And dinner time is always spent together at the table.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Most definitely having children. You look at life differently and focus on the important things!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – You can find me cooking, refinishing or painting old furniture, playing outside with my kids, dining out, watching movies, or just hanging out with family and friends.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – We recently bred our quarter horse mare “Kits Pretty Kitty” to a champion cutting horse stallion in Stevensville, TX. Hoping to have a baby colt on the ground late spring of 2017!
What are you the most proud of? – My family, both immediate and extended. We are all very close-knit, loving, FUN, and always see the importance of coming home to spend time together and reconnect to our roots.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Never forget the importance of happiness in work.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I’m a blogger! I enjoy writing and reflecting on life through my meal planning blog: eveningtable.blogspot.com.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – The American Heart Association.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call my direct line at (402) 434-7242 or email me at kwilson@unicogroup.com. You can also check out our website at www.unicogroup.com to find out more about our agency.
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