As a special addition to our member promotion services, the Chamber is now offering a free Featured Member Profile, which will be printed in the Chamber View and posted on the website for a month, then moved into a prominently-placed online archive for the remainder of the year.  To win this free publicity, just drop your business card into the Featured Member Fishbowl at each monthly Networking Mixer and be present for the drawing.  For more information, call the Chamber, 410-719-9609.

Featured Member

May 2010

Coverage and Counsel in Uncertain Times:
Mary Vogelpohl and Jolles Insurance

When the health care picture is changing and you don’t know where to find answers, says Mary Vogelpohl, your insurance agent should be your first resource. In fact, your agent should be reaching out to you with educational material, answers, and periodic check-in calls.

That’s the gold standard that she and the team at Jolles Insurance strive to meet.

Offering a full range of insurance plans for businesses and individuals – from health and dental, life, and disability to long-term care -- Jolles Insurance is an independent brokerage with a policy of “setting the standard for service,” as their tagline says. And as an independent agent maintaining licenses for both health/life and property/casualty, Mary can advise clients on the full range of their insurance needs.

Her first love, however, is health care: she studied Health Science & Policy at UMBC, graduating to take a position with CareFirst’s program for Federal employees in D.C. After 20 years’ experience in the Baltimore market, working with brokerages and health insurance administrators, she joined Jolles and has been with the Dorsey Hall brokerage for four years.

“As independent agents, we shop the best of the best plans to help people with their needs,” she says. “Health care is so confusing to so many people, with so many carrier options, that our job often is to help people navigate through all the information. As independent brokers, we serve the client’s best interest, simplifying things, helping them figure out what’s the best option for their group or individual needs.”

While Jolles works with large groups, they also offer special support for the challenges faced by smaller groups and individuals: for example, the family businesses with only two employees, or solopreneurs needing disability coverage. “Anything is possible,” she says, “and we look for the possibilities.”

She practices this approach as marketing consultant for Jolles, listening and speaking to individuals and company spokespeople about their insurance and information both in formal meeting and presentations and in normal day-to-day interactions. As result of such outreach, she says, “we don’t need to advertise – most of our clients come to us by referral.”

Jolles doesn’t limit its focus to insurance, adding value to its services with client education: newsletters and fliers ranging from wellness tips to timelines for the newly enacted health care reforms. Even more prominent is the work Jolles does through the 501(c)3 nonprofit, We Promote Health, founded to support the Howard County Healthy Howard initiative. The nonprofit coordinates Healthy Howard Day, which attracted more than 5,000 people in 2009. Finally, Jolles practices healthy office policies, from fruit in the snack room to exercise programs and encourages their clients to do the same.

It all comes down to service and guidance in changing times, says Mary. “With the changes in health care and the uncertainty of our times, I help my clients have a better understanding, simplifying terms and putting them into perspective, helping them to make the best decisions for themselves and their employees.”

Mary is also practicing a similar level of community service in her own life. A Catonsville resident and parent of three, she has been a Chamber member for one year. She serves her community as a Chamber Ambassador, meeting with local businesses to learn about their needs and the ways in which the Chamber could help them.

“I want to bring my firms’ capabilities and expertise to Catonsville,” she says, inviting community residents and business owners to reach out to her and experience her level of client care and education. She adds, “If you don’t know your insurance, you should know your agent.”

 Past Featured Members