William Havron was getting ready to retire from telecommunications business after nearly 30 years when he decided life insurance would be a good next step.
“I looked at different things that need to be done and I narrowed it down to wanting to help people,” Havron said. I wanted to go into health insurance and had to get a license to sell it.”
Havron said he interviewed with different companies and was hired by AFLAC four years ago to sell supplemental health products. He also became a financial representative with John Hancock and a member of Atlantic Partners Financial Group.
Havron was also active in the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as membership secretary.
For all his efforts, Havron was recently honored Small Businessperson of the Year from Mineola by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, an umbrella organization that acts as a spokesperson for more than 40 Chambers of Commerce in Nassau County.
The award is given to a local business person, usually someone in the chamber to receive designation of small businessperson of the year from their town based on contributions to the chamber as well as civic, and charitable work.
“I was surprised and humbled when I found out I had won,” Havron said. “Whenever you receive an award such as this, personally I am not in it to look for recognition. I’m in the business to help people, and when your peers are recognize you it’s a surprising thing.”
In addition to his work with the Mineola chamber, Havron is a member of the Marine Corps League, the Knights of Columbus, the Long Island Network Group and past vice president at BusNet-LI.
He also volunteers at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and has volunteered at Learning Ally (formerly recording for the blind and dyslexic).
Part of the services Havron helps to provide is group health, life insurance, long-term care, disability income insurance, annuities, business planning/succession strategies, retirement planning and voluntary health benefits.
Havron is licensed as financial representative and can sell life accident and health insurance, in New York State, which also includes annuities.
He stressed the importance of sitting down and listening to what people have to say, while learning to build a connection between him and the people he helps.
“I see my services as being transactional, not a one and done,” Havron said. “I look to build up a relationship with someone. After all, God gave us two ears and one mouth so people can listen twice as much when other people talk. No one wants to talk about death, but life is about planning.”
Havron explains that people go through changes, and he is very serious about helping people plan their financial future.
“I just don’t look at you and say you are a $5 million guy,” Havron said. “Along the way of protecting the people you love life changes over that time frame, along with your needs, wants, and desires. You listen to what the people want, and try to develop a plan to fit those needs.”
Disability income insurance is a big topic for Havron, saying that when he asks what people view as their most valuable asset, they never mention themselves. He provides an analogy to help people realize their value.
“If you had money making machine that printed out $100 bills, would you insure it in case it breaks down?” Havron asks. “People never realize that you are your own money making machine, but who is going to provide for you if you break down? Again it’s about planning and protecting your family.
He added, “Also, it’s having insurance against the risk of having a catastrophic injury or developing an illness that would require you to go into a nursing home.”
As well as working for AFLAC, Havron is also able to help people plan for their financial future by helping them keep updated with changes in their lives that may include, birth of a child, a divorce, and even marriage.
“It’s the consequences to the family that I’m looking out for and I want to be their advocate, Havron said. “It’s all about living a long life and being able to afford to stay in your home.”
