Jeff Owyoung is known widely in his community of McGehee, Arkansas. To some, he is “Coach” from his time leading the football team. Others know him as “Chairman” from the countless boards Owyoung has served on and his help establishing the WWII Japanese American Internment Museum.  “Mr. Mayor” is a title he’s held for three terms, where he’s working tirelessly to improve his community, including building a first-class “pocket park” or mini park downtown. Yet, clients at Milner Owyoung Insurance just call him “Jeff.”

In each avenue of Owyoung’s life, prioritizing people and making connections has led to success. His role on the local economic development board is a great example. “I learned early on that I needed to be out in the community serving others. Meeting people, shaking hands: you just never know who may be in need of help or where that handshake could lead,” Owyoung said. “Serving on the McGehee Industrial Foundation board, I meet people starting businesses in our community and offer to help if they need anything, including insurance.”

Serving as a trusted resource for new small businesses led to his top markets, which include a diverse portfolio of restaurants, financial institutions and hotel/motels. “My parents had a restaurant named Trade Winds in the early 70s. So, when I talk with clients, I can say I’ve been there. I know what you are going through, and I’ll help you get what you need,” Owyoung said. “That’s one of the most important things is to relate to your client. To respect them and to earn their respect and trust.”
 

Another important objective for Owyoung is ensuring all clients understand their insurance. “Many of the new business owners I work with are non-native English speakers. I want them to understand their insurance and what they are getting, so sometimes that means their child getting on the phone and helping relay information to a parent.” This attentive care has fostered trust for Milner Owyoung Insurance. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t do that, it has generated so much positive word of mouth in our community.”
 

Having the right team in place at Milner Owyoung Insurance, which Owyoung and friend Mack Milner founded in 1999, is also essential. “For me to run the city and have an agency I have to have great staff. Kristy Terry, my office manager at the agency, has been with me for 20 years. She’s so much more than an office manager. She’s my commercial lines account executive and handles all our information technology. She’s my right arm. My son, Chase Owyoung, and Hannah Cingolani are both dedicated to their jobs. He is my commercial lines and life producer, and she is my bookkeeper and personal lines account executive. They are all very important to the growth of the agency.”

Another reason Owyoung can have so many titles is his family’s support. “The reason I can do all that I do is because of my wife, Sallie. She has been the backbone of our family,” Owyoung said. “She understands the many hats I wear and makes it all possible.”
 

Being thankful also sets Milner Owyoung Insurance apart. “I send a personal thank you card to each new client. It’s an important part of our agency, to be thankful and serve them well,” Owyoung said. In some ways insurance is a lot like coaching. “Coaches hate to lose. We try to do everything we can to win a ball game. We want to win with our clients too. But I’m going to be upfront with them about what we can offer. Even if that means they don’t go with us, eventually when something changes, they find their way back.”

Open, honest communication is something Owyoung experiences with Columbia’s team, especially with Shelly DeVore, regional vice president, and Juanita Christy, commercial lines underwriter. “Relationships are the number one reason for my strong partnership with Columbia. Shelly is indescribable. She goes out of her way to help. She always tries to give a clear answer,” Owyoung said. “She and Juanita are always there so we can talk face-to-face and understand each other better than by an email.” 

DeVore said Owyoung’s enthusiasm to serve others is evident. “Every time you talk with Jeff you can hear his passion to serve. It’s a part of who he is—whether it is making sure his clients have the best policy or building his community a new park. That makes him and Milner Owyoung Insurance an exceptional partner to have at Columbia. We are honored to help him serve his clients well.”