Anniversary Spotlight: Steve Burrell - 5 Years
What city, state did you grow up in?
I was born in New Jersey, and raised near a little town called Dover, just west of New York City. I grew up in an area full of rolling hills, trees, lakes, and American history. And then, one day, my father got transferred to Columbus, Ohio.
In time, I grew to love Ohio, despite the fact that it can rain for a solid month. While studying for my Journalism degree at Ohio State, I worked at a Radio Shack store to help pay for school, and freelanced one summer for a local newspaper. That’s where I met Jane, the paper’s editorial cartoonist. We started talking, started dating, and I started appearing in Jane’s editorial cartoons. On the day I graduated, we got engaged.
My future mother-in-law despaired of me ever finding a job on my own, so she suggested that I apply at Radio Shack’s advertising department in Texas. I did, and in a matter of weeks I was hired and living in Fort Worth. After my interview, I called Jane and said, “There are trees down here!” I had expected tumbling tumbleweeds and lonesome cowboys on horseback. After a few months, I flew back to Ohio to marry Jane, and we headed south with two cats howling in the back of the car.
In March, two kids, four dogs, and 5,379 cats later, we’ll celebrate our 34th anniversary.
What were you doing before coming to SouthwestRe, and how did you learn of an employment opportunity here?
I worked at Radio Shack until JCPenney moved its headquarters to Plano, Texas. I was really nervous when I interviewed with Penney’s, and had the most severe case of cotton mouth imaginable. When they asked why I wanted to work there, I said something like “Mmm aaak?”
I guess it was a good answer, because I was there for almost 24 years. When it came to an end in late 2011, I applied for job after job, and finally sent a resume to a company called SouthwestRe in early 2012. I was contacted, and soon had an interview with Stephanie Smith and Daniel Benavides. Thankfully, they hired me, and I was back in the workforce by the end of February.
What are your responsibilities? What’s most challenging? What do you enjoy the most?
To paraphrase Dill in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” I’m Steven Michael Burrell…I can read. I can also write, which is what I get paid to do. I write and edit copy for all of our brochures, magazine ads, agent newsletters, product announcements, our website, social media, and a hundred other things. I also maintain the fun-filled Sales Pitch Kit and Product Book, and associated materials on our agent portal, MySouthwestRe.
Early on, and even now to some extent, the most challenging aspect of my job was when I had to write product announcements. I would write my masterpiece, proudly present it to Jamie Jerabek, and watch in silent horror while Jamie gently ripped it to shreds :). It was a learning experience.
I know what it sounds like, but the best part of my job is getting to work with Stephanie. She is one of the nicest, most competent, and most human managers I have ever had. Nothing phases her, she works harder than anyone I know, and she’s constantly striving to do the very best job she can possibly do. Her positivity is contagious.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of the office?
I try to read a book every week or two. I enjoy anything from old science fiction novels to Civil War histories. Right now, I’m reading “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin.
I also have a guitar or two or three, and can play with a certain degree of mediocrity. I’ve been pretty much addicted to Bob Dylan’s music since I was a teenager, and learned to play the guitar because of my interest in his music. So, if you ever need someone to play a mind-numbing 20-minute version of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” I’m your guy.
"Steve and I work side by side on all projects coming through our department. He breathes new life into our marketing materials through his writing style and I count on his expertise to engage our audiences, relay benefits to them, and entice responses from them. He delivers on hitting the target message every single time. SouthwestRe is fortunate to benefit from his talent, and I am grateful for the chance to know him."
- Stephanie Smith, Marketing & Creative Design Manager
"Steve is fantastic. Seriously. He can craft a story from a few vague sentences, bullet points or just a word and accompanying emoji. His copy makes service contracts and reinsurance sound interesting! In all seriousness, it has been a joy to work with Steve the last few years. I really don’t know where we would be without him! Thanks for everything you do Steve!"
- Carmen Torres, VP Sales & Marketing
