Centennial Spotlight: Rob Callister

As part of our centennial celebrations, throughout 2010 we will be posting monthly spotlights on our 12 longest-tenured employees—the people who have the most insights on Moreton & Company’s history.

Rob Callister is one of Moreton & Company’s top Property & Casualty producers. He was voted Moreton & Company’s Producer of the Year in 2006 for his excellent work with his clients.

1. When did you start working for the firm?
   I started with Moreton in May of 1986. I wish that I had kept a diary of my 34 years at Moreton. I think it could have been a funny human interest story.
2. What was the company like when you started?
   In contrast to today, the firm was small and very low-tech. It’s hard for the younger employees to imagine it, but there was no voicemail, no cell phones, and no email—the producers didn’t even have computers at their desks. When we purchased our first fax machine at Moreton, I remember I thought the business would be revolutionized.
3. In what ways has the company changed since you started?
   Other than the obvious technological changes and increase in number of employees, I would say the firm has changed most in the dramatic increase in developing expertise and service capabilities to more appropriately serve clients in virtually all areas of the business.
4. What have been some of the highlights of your career here?
   Among the highlights of my career are working with the State of Utah for over 20 years, working with Intermountain Health Care for 24 years, working with Questar for 20 years, Myriad Genetics since the day it was formed, and numerous Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Hospital clients. Participating in the 2002 Winter Olympics was also an unforgettable experience.
5. What’s been one of the best things about working at Moreton?
   The best thing about working at Moreton relates to the people who work here. I hear stories about firms with toxic work environments, and then I count my blessings. I really like all the people at Moreton.
6. Tell us about one of your most memorable experiences with a client.
   I was a new producer at Moreton. The year was 1986. Craig Smith had given me an assignment as part of my new business prospecting to create in my own words what he referred to as a “Why Fred A. Moreton & Company?” presentation. I went to work on this project with energy and excitement. I wrote it—then re-wrote it 10 or 12 times—memorized it, and practiced it in front of the mirror at home at night until everything about it was, well, “perfect.” Now it was time to take my magnificent piece of work out on the road—first to a large publicly held power cogeneration company. The president of the company was a neighbor of mine, and I felt very secure about my chances. For several days before the appointed time, I reviewed everything I could find about the company and practiced my presentation until I could have done it in my sleep. When the time arrived, I grabbed my visual aids, took a look at my watch, and launched into my inaugural presentation. About five minutes in, I heard an odd “snort” from the other side of the desk—the president had not only fallen soundly asleep, but he was beginning to snore. I looked over at Craig, and Craig just shrugged his shoulders. When I got back to the office, Idecided to toss my entire presentation and go in a different direction.
7. What positions have you held at Moreton? What is your current position?
   Current position: Senior Vice President
8. What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
   The most enjoyable part of my job is solving clients’ problems, teaching clients, creating a better program or solution to a risk management issue.
9. What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
   During the summer when I was between 8 and 11, my Mom used to drop me off at the Hidden Valley Country Club in Reno, Nevada, where I would spend the day playing tennis. There were a lot of entertainers who would come to perform at night in the casinos, and during the day many of them would come to the country club to sit in the sun, golf, or play tennis. Often they would not have tennis partners, so I ended up playing tennis with a number of these entertainers, including Pat Boone, Perry Como, and many others. It was strange because they would often do their voice exercises while they were playing—it was very distracting. I played Nancy Sinatra once when I was 10 years old.