Tom Coverdale Teaming Up with Pat O’Brien
Writer / Janet C. Striebel
Tom Coverdale, a renowned Indiana sports figure, has recently joined forces with Pat O’Brien, a successful American Family Insurance agency owner. Both graduated from Indiana University and share common goals with what they want out of life. They remain committed to their family, community, customer relations, and career all while strategically maintaining life balance, stability and purpose. “I like being a part of a team atmosphere where we work toward common goals,” said Tom Coverdale, licensed agent at Patrick D. O’Brien American Family Insurance Agency. “We build each other up. When one of us wins, we all win,” he said.
You probably have heard the name, “Tom Coverdale” attached to the title, “Mr. Basketball” in 1998 when he was a senior at Noblesville High School. Or perhaps you remember how he was recruited by Bobby Knight and played basketball at Indiana University where he led his team to the 2002 NCAA Championship Game against Maryland. Later, Coverdale coached college basketball in Louisiana and Texas but eventually returned home to Hoosier territory.
“When I was away, I realized that being home with family and friends is what’s most important,” said Coverdale. Three years ago, Tom began his career in the insurance field as a licensed agent and has been advising a variety of both small and large businesses throughout Indiana as well as personal accounts. Married a year and a half to his wife, Rachael, Coverdale said, “I’ve lived in many places, but we’ve settled in Fishers to be close to my hometown and everyone we care about.”
Pat O’Brien, an IU graduate and a huge IU basketball fan, started his insurance agency from scratch in 2004. After three years as an agency owner, he accepted the opportunity to become an Agency Sales Manager in 2007, and held that position for six years before returning to agency as an agency owner the fall of 2013.
“I have lofty goals and I know that to grow this agency I need talented professionals,” said O’Brien. “I like running the office according to my mission that includes being involved with community and with my customers. Everyone in our office works within a specialized role, allowing our unique service to function most effectively.”
And that mission is what attracted Coverdale to the agency. “Pat’s goals for his business and for his family very much align with what I want for myself and my family as I continue building a career in the insurance business,” said Coverdale.
It is not just Coverdale who knows that O’Brien is on a mission. “Pat has always been driven to succeed, and he experienced a lot of success prior to agency, but as an agency owner he is able to do what he loves, which is helping people,” said Shawna O’Brien, marketing & communications for the agency and O’Brien’s wife.
Two Paths Cross at Brooke’s Place
O’Brien and Coverdale met a couple years ago through mutual friends while volunteering for Brooke’s Place, which is a non-profit organization that helps grieving children who have lost their parents (brookesplace.org).
They both served as “Table Captains” for the Legacy of Hope Breakfast event. Coverdale’s wife, Rachael, serves on the board for Brooke’s Place and happens to be friends with O’Brien’s longtime friend, Lori Winkler, owner of WDM Creative and president of the board at Brooke’s Place.
In establishing their relationship over time, O’Brien and Coverdale realize they share common values between them especially for how they go about making a positive impact on people and their community.
“When I met Pat I knew we were moving forward in the same business direction,” said Coverdale. “The more we talked, the more we aligned in our way of thinking. We believe in giving the best honest advice to our customers, which is what we would expect if we were sitting in the other seat.”
But it’s not just about making deals at O’Brien Insurance. “We don’t sell insurance, we listen to our customers and make recommendations,” said O’Brien. “We don’t just provide a quick-fix proposal; we consult and provide guidance thereby allowing our customers to make conscious decisions to buy.”
To learn more about the Patrick D. O’Brien Agency, visit amfampob.com or call 317-577-7872.
Comments 1
Congratulations Tom on joining forces with Patrick. I am thrilled to have begun my new position as a Sales Specialist with his agency as well. Let's take this agency to the top!