I began my career after leaving school working for a small steel company in Michigan.  I stayed there for 12 years and eventually decided to leave because there was no further room for advancement.  Although I had no previous sales experience, I was recruited into the Insurance business by the potential of substantial income coupled with a flexible schedule.  I worked extremely hard and listened to those who were already successful and in my first full year earned $127,200.00!!  I doubt if there was any other industry that could have afforded me the level of income and security that Insurance did. 

    I continued to have success selling and, before long, found myself promoted into a Sales Management position.  Through much hard work and perseverance, I was able to work my way up to a State Manager responsible for running the sales team for the entire state of Michigan.  My dream had been to one day establish my own Agency and on January 1, 1998, I left my company and founded American Insurance, the forerunner of CBI Insurance Agency.

  

    I started American Insurance in two states, Michigan and Ohio, and eventually grew to being licensed in 34 states with 350 licensed agents.  We have continued to experience tremendous success and maintain some very aggressive goals for the future.

    An opportunity in Insurance sales certainly is not for everyone.  But for the right person, I couldn't imagine a more fulfilling career.  I know it's allowed me to create a lifestyle for myself and my family I would never previously have imagined.  And believe me, if I can do it, you can too!    

    I've been in the Insurance Industry now for over 30 years.  During this time I spent 10 years with a small company selling payroll deduction products.  I was promoted through the ranks to Regional Director.  This company was bought out by a larger Insurance Company and significant changes were made, including decreasing the commissions.  I then accepted a position with a direct competitor.  I was appointed as a State Manager and spent the next 11 years building a sales organization.  Same scenario.  Bought out by a large conglomerate.  It was time for me to look for something new, someplace where I could control my own future. 

    I discovered American Insurance in November of 2000 and found a home.

  

    Working in the Insurance Industry has been very rewarding.  Having the opportunity to help my clients with their health and life insurance needs is very challenging and fulfilling.  Having unlimited earning potential and a flexible work schedule is also a bonus. 

    I am an Area Vice-President with CBI Insurance Agency.  I spent 30 years in the graphic arts industry prior to entering the Health Insurance field in 2002.  During this time I built, managed, and ultimately sold my own firm, as well as subsequently managing larger firms in the same field.  My expertise in Sales, Marketing and my strong commitment to business ethics are valued assets for my job at CBI.

    I live in Clarkston, Michigan with my wife, Diane, who is an accomplished Interior Designer with a loyal clientele.  Diane is an avid gardener and we both enjoy raising our 12-year-old son Johnny, who is an "A+" student.  We also have two grown daughters, both married and living in the Clarkston area.  My hobbies include golf, water skiing, and antique muscle car restoration.

    My advice to aspiring Health Insurance Agents:  "Continually, passionately and religiously do what is in your clients' best interest...not yours."

James Kushnereit

Agency President

David Dalton

Area Vice-President

Kevin Williams

Area Vice-President

Coming Soon!

 

Keith Parke

    I began my sales career with CBI Agency back in the summer of 2004 largely because I was interested in having the ability to set my own schedule while earning and income directly related to my personal productivity.  At the time of joining CBI I was going to college full time, while also working as a legal assistant at a local law firm.  Although I enjoyed the work as a legal assistant, I did not enjoy the pay.  Much like any job as an employee, the harder I worked did not necessarily equal greater pay.  Plus, I often found myself missing out on various social functions due to my obligation to be punched in from 8am-6pm, sometimes even later.

    After passing the state's health, life and disability licensing test, my goal was to ease into selling insurance while still working at the law firm and attending classes.  It quickly became evident that I was spreading myself too thin, so I decided to give the sales career a fair chance by quitting my previous job to sell insurance full time.  The first couple of weeks were rather trying primarily because this was my first position in sales.  However, my hard work paid off and soon I found myself making 3-5 times as much income per week as I did working as a legal assistant.  What made this even more beneficial was the fact that I was able to plan my own schedule allowing me to better focus on other priorities, such as school, which I also found myself doing better at.

    Today I can honestly say that I love my job.  In fact, many days I can't believe that someone is actually paying me to do what I do.  Even more important than the great pay, I have had the privilege of meeting many great families throughout the Metro Detroit area and have managed to help them out with one of their greatest needs; their health insurance.  It is a great feeling to know that I have helped improve a family's benefits, many times at a cost-savings.  As you can imagine, in this business it is easy to turn clients into friends considering that you are helping them out and saving them money.

    In addition to my love for the industry, I am also happy to be a part of CBI.  Unlike many other Agencies that I have heard of where cut-throat sales occurs as fellow-agents step on each other's feet in order to get the deal, here we have a community of agents who are truly willing to help one another so that the entire Agency may be uplifted.  I cannot emphasize how crucial it was to my success as an Agent to have a supporting management team, underwriting staff, and personalized training program.  I must admit, I am also a fan of the sales incentives provided here at CBI.  In our weekly sales meetings, top-producing Agents are rewarded with cash, leads, Pistons tickets, and even weekend getaways for their weekly sales performance.  Best of all, each year the Agency has "Champion's Week," which is a week long, 5-star vacation fully paid for by American Insurance.  Past trips have been to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

    There is no better time to work as a health and life insurance Agent as the marketplace continues to expand with layoffs and other hardships that generally hurt the economy, where people need to be helped.  As our Agency continues to grow, I am happy to be a part of CBI Insurance Agency.

Joshua Kushnereit

Area Vice-President

Managers Profiles

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