Thomas H Gorrell
Managing Director
Region: Southern

A Rewarding Career Choice

I started with Northwestern Mutual right out of college. I graduated from WVU in 1978 and started with Northwestern in 1979.  

 

I think this career actually chose me. I was a forestry major, but my father was a Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative.  He convinced me that this would be a more rewarding career and he was right.

The rewards of being a Financial Representative are many. First is the ability to partner with clients to achieve their financial goals -- whether they live too long, die too soon or become disabled. The fun part of the job is being able to meet with people on a daily basis, help them and still be able to make a good living.

The career has its challenges, too. 

My greatest challenge is being disciplined enough to have five appointments a day. I know that activity is what keeps my business going, but at times it can be easy to take off early in the day without having the five appointments set.

In my early years, it was pretty much the same problem - activity. I would see a few people, have a nice commission statement and then take too much time off. Being consistent was probably my biggest challenge in my first few years.

Key Learning
What I have learned about myself is that I have the ability to help people, more than I ever thought I could prior to beginning in this career. We all have to find our niche in life, and what could be better than helping people and being able to provide a secure living for your family?

A Time I Made a Difference
Early in my career at a Christmas party at my Managing Director’s house, I received a call that two of my clients had been killed in a car accident. 

I had just written a policy on the wife, and the policy had not yet been approved. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network approved the policy and the claim. My client’s daughter was able to go to school, and her grandparents were able to raise her with an income that helped her future life.

Notable Milestones
A milestone in my career has been becoming a Managing Director. The milestones that I am looking forward to are helping new representatives get into the system, run the activity and have the same opportunity that I have had to help people with their goals.

Some Solid Career Advice
The advice I would have for someone coming into the business would be persistence. 

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. We have a great system and if someone is willing to spend the time, run the numbers and give it a try for three years, then they can achieve more than with any other career out there -- both personally and financially.

If anyone has any questions about this career, feel free to call me. I think it is a great opportunity for the right person. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

The Northwestern Mutaul Difference
What distinguishes Northwestern Mutual Financial Network from the others is that we are very strong in our offense and defense. 

I tell clients that financial goals are similar to a football team and you have to have a good offense and a good defense. Northwestern Mutual’s life and disability, and Northwestern Long Term Care's long-term care products are the best defensive plans out there, and our ability to broker mutual funds with companies gives us the edge.

Outside of Work
Outside of work I have three boys, and I enjoy coaching their ball teams. 

I spend a lot of time in Montana fly fishing and also enjoy fly fishing in West Virginia.  

I have been fortunate to be Chairman of the State of West Virginia March of Dimes, and I work with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and the Harrison County United Way.  

In running your own business, you have to be a good manager of time, but it does allow you the opportunity to spend time with your family and give back to the community.

Thomas Gorrell has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1979. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Thomas at 304-624-5400.