The president of LaPorte & Associates lets us in on his day-to-day life.
Marv LaPorte
President
LaPorte & Associates
What I’m reading
As an insurance broker, you do enough heavy reading of contracts and miscellaneous documents so my outside-the-office reading is for entertainment only. I read novels centered in the Middle Ages, with wizards and dragons. I think you would classify it as escapism?
Advice for young people
It is difficult to get young people into our industry, as it doesn’t have much curb appeal. Young people are looking for excitement and instant gratification. The insurance industry doesn’t outwardly seem to provide any of those elements. However, it is very exciting, if you take the long-term approach — specifically in sales. What other industry allows you to be the master of your own time, take vacations when you want to, coach all of your children’s athletic teams and feel like you’re playing Monopoly when you cash your pay check?
What I’m watching
I’m a big proponent of feel-good movies. I really liked Sandra Bullock’s last movie, The Heat.
Business role model
I don’t really have one. We just sort of make it up as we go. I am what some people would refer to as a renaissance man. I live in a house that looks much like a castle, collect things that are at least 200 years old and run our business under the motto “Nice matters.” I am the antithesis of the modern business manager.
Where would you like to see the company in five years?
I would like to see us continue to grow at about a 10% rate and be the largest truly independent agency in the state. After that, the challenge is to maintain that independent status.
Latest download
I don’t generally download apps, and it’s difficult to get me to turn on my cell phone, let alone expand my usage. That’s not to say our agency isn’t technologically advanced, but that is only because I am lucky enough to have partners who drag me into the 21st century.
Our ranking of Oregon’s top commercial insurance firms by number of licensed commercial agents in Oregon and Southwest Washington
| RANKED BY NUMBER OF LICENSED COMMERCIAL AGENTS IN OREGON & SW WASHINGTON | ||||||
| RANK | NAME | ADDRESS / PHONE | SENIOR EXECUTIVE(S) | COMM. AGENTS / EMPLOYEES | OR OFFICES / INS. COS. REP. | SPECIALTIES |
| 1 | USI | 700 N.E. Multnomah St., Ste. 1300 Portland 97232 503.224.8390 | Chris Brisbee, Rico Bocala | 147 372 | 3 100+ | Property/casualty and employee benefits management and retirement plan consulting/administration |
| 2 | Brown & Brown Northwest | 2701 N.W. Vaughn St., Ste. 340 Portland 97210 503.222.1831 | Chuck Floberg, Jessica Getman | 120 130 | 7 100+ | Public entities, nonprofits, construction, dentists, transportation, employee benefits, workers’ comp, personal lines, moving and storage |
| 3 | LaPorte & Associates Inc. | 5515 S.E. Milwaukie Ave. | Marvin J. LaPorte | 48 57 | 1 50+ | Commercial insurance specialists |
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