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2021 Break Out Awards NORTHEAST SOUTH MIDWEST WEST

BRETT RICHESIN Assistant vice president, account executive

Alliant Insurance Services Inc.

Fresno, California

Brett Richesin, who focuses on a wide spectrum of agricultural and food industry accounts, has been in the insurance business for 11 years. He grew up in the industry, learning from his father, who owns a health insurance brokerage in Fresno. He worked in health insurance for two years after graduating from college, then switched to property/casualty.

What’s your top tip for working remotely?

When you’re working remotely, communication is absolutely key and doing a better job of staying in touch not only with your clients but with your colleagues and the marketplace. I have been a big fan of using internal instant messaging systems.

How will your work change going forward?

I can see some meetings transitioning to Zoom, or some sort of online platform. If COVID-19 were to occur again, we’ve got a good template moving forward on how to navigate that, but I am certainly old school and prefer face to face, the golden handshake. I’m a people person. I love meeting people in person.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

You probably would be surprised that I like to go surfing and be in the ocean as much as possible.

What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?

It’s strange to admit it, but disc golf. It’s like combining Frisbee with golf, essentially, so you play 18 holes, but instead of swinging clubs and using a golf ball, you’re throwing a specialized Frisbee. I picked that up just because of the ability to be outside. It’s just a whole lot of fun.

All-time favorite movie?

I would put anything directed by Michael Mann, and probably put “Heat” at the top of the list. It’s hard to beat Al Pacino and Robert De Niro going head-to-head in that movie.