John Christie, 79, plans to continue as long as he’s able
It took a lot of years, several states and a few career changes, but veteran State Farm agent John Christie finally made it to Morgantown.
Christie, now 79, recently celebrated a half century selling State Farm insurance products — 38 years in Morgantown and 12 in Charleston. He said he is not looking back, only forward, during a recent interview in his Collins Ferry Road office.
“I was lucky to have other experiences,” said Christie, a Clarksburg native who also has a degree in engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. “I spent four years in the Navy and got to see a lot of places in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.”
While he was still in the Navy, Christie earned an MBA from Old Dominion University. And after his discharge, Christie took a job with chemical giant, DuPont, after turning down an opportunity with former presidential candidate Ross Perot, the founder of Electronic Data Systems. (Coincidentally, Perot was also a U.S. Naval Academy graduate.)
“Just didn’t like the attitude there,” said Christie, when asked about Perot and his company. “Money never motivated me.”
Christie said he got into sales at the urging of his superiors at DuPont, where he found himself selling polymers. He discovered a couple of things while working for that company: He was a good salesman and polymers were boring.
Because his job at DuPont required him to be on the road a lot, Christie — who had four young children then — realized he wanted a career where he did not have to travel. He then did what many of us would do in a similar situation, called his father for advice and help.
“My dad and granddad were both State Farm managers,” said Christie, explaining the State Farm connection.
Through his father, Christie said he got a job as a State Farm agent in Charleston. But when the chance came to take over an agency in Morgantown, Christie jumped on the opportunity and would not take no for an answer.
“Debbie (his wife) and I went to Frederick, Md., to meet with a State Farm vice president who talked to me for three hours.”
Two weeks after that interview, Christie was offered the Morgantown agency and moved here in November 1982.
Despite being at an age when most people have been retired for a decade, Christie said he has no plans to do so.
“I have always been active,” said Christie, who plays basketball for the West Virginia senior basketball team for people 80 to 84. He also golfs several times a week and has a 15 handicap.
“It’s good to use your mind and your body,” Christie said. “Besides, I have several families (his four employees) depending on me.
“I still like the personal side of the business,” he said. “I like helping people. You can’t always tell them yes, but they know we’re here for them.”
Even though the insurance business is the same as it was a half century ago, what’s changed are the tools. Christie said he has gone from using a legal pad to a sophisticated computer.
“I plan to keep doing what I am doing as long as the Lord lets me,” said Christie, a reborn Christian. “I also have a wonderful combination of people working with me.
“We’re family.”
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