West Wingate has been the vice president of insurance sales at Coordinated Programs, Inc. for nine years.
WHAT DOES
HE DO?
In the business of the sale and service of employee benefits, Wingate handles all disability and life insurance and executive benefit planning for his corporate and individual clients. Before his promotion he was strictly in disability.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
“The freedom of the job. Plus, I get to help people and work with people.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING?
“Finding qualified prospects. Health issues are a big one, like trying to get someone an insurance plan when they’re already an insulin-dependent diabetic.”
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Florida State University.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Wingate worked at Coordinated for three years during college. His uncle started the company 30 years ago.
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
FAMILY
Ponte Vedra Beach is where Wingate and his wife Jennifer call home.
VIVA LAS VEGAS
Still a newlywed, Wingate flew 70 of his closest friends to Las Vegas for a four-day celebration. Wingate swears he did not have an Elvis impersonator perform the ceremony.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Wingate is a member of Jacksonville Health and Life Underwriters and a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, an international sales organization.
HOBBIES
Hanging out with friends, duck hunting or back country fishing are his preferred distractions. He also likes surfing the tube for “Seinfeld” or re-plays of the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Because he travels extensively for work, Wingate prefers the homebody lifestyle when in town, but occasionally you can spot him at his favorite eatery, Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
HARROWING ESCAPE
This year Wingate went on a fishing excursion to the Bahamas with his friends on a 19-foot fishing boat when they were caught in a thunderstorm nine miles off the coast. “I thought my life was over.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“(Mayor) Rudy Giuliani for keeping New York City together. New York is the heart of America.”
IS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN DIRE STRAITS?
“Most insurance companies have re-insurance where they spread the risk among other insurance companies so no one company bears all the claims. Sept. 11 has sparked a lot more interest in the insurance industry. It made people aware that tragedies do occur.”
—by Monica Chamness