FREDERICKSBURG, Va., December 17, 2007 – This week, GEICO will celebrate the careers of 29 Stafford County associates who represent a combined total of 935 years of dedicated service to GEICO customers. GEICO President and CEO Tony Nicely will be in Fredericksburg on Friday, Dec. 21 to personally congratulate those associates celebrating their milestone 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45-year company anniversaries.
Among them will be Garry Folkerts of Fredericksburg, a 35-year GEICO veteran, who has another GEICO distinction to his credit. He encouraged his sons and daughters to consider GEICO in their future plans and they did. All six of his children worked at GEICO at one point or another in their careers, definitely making GEICO a Folkerts family affair.
"Currently, two of my sons, Mark and Micah, and my daughter Norah Fairfield and son-in-law Matthew Moats, still work here," Folkerts said.
"I have enjoyed working with the company for the past 35 years and I'm very glad my kids have been able to find a career here also. I wish them as long and happy a career at GEICO as I've had."
Folkerts, originally of Northport, N.Y., joined GEICO in 1972 as a suspense examiner at the company's Woodbury office. In 1985, he moved to GEICO's Chevy Chase, Md., headquarters. When the regional office opened in Fredericksburg in 1992, he transferred there and became a regional liability administrator.
Nancy Pierce, regional vice president in Fredericksburg, said, "It is the wealth of knowledge and experience of our long-time associates like Garry Folkerts and his family that helped GEICO build an enviable reputation for outstanding service and customer loyalty. Our career associates have set a shining example for new associates. They pass along their knowledge willingly and eagerly to help GEICO become even stronger."
According to Nicely, "Each year that a GEICO associates remains with GEICO, he or she builds on their talents and skills and they become even more valuable to our customers and to our success."
He added, "GEICO's number one operating principle is 'respect, support and provide opportunity for all associates.' We take that principle very seriously. The 29 associates who have been with GEICO these many years are proof that GEICO really does want associates to build a long and prosperous future here. Their dedication to this company has been the foundation on which GEICO is building a great success story and I sincerely thank them."
GEICO is the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 8 million policyholders and insures more than 13 million vehicles. As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial stability by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to www.geico.com.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States.* GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for 11 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 17.5 million vehicles.
In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motor homes (RVs). Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.
*A.M. Best