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Show I usiness Covering what matters most , Salem businessman: Shanto honored Timothy J, Shanto, an American Family Insurance agent in Spanish Fprk, has been recognized for customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency Program. Shanto joins other American Family agents who have demonstrated they provide an outstanding customer experience. "American Family recently affirmed our commitment to our customers," said Jack Salzwedel, American Family president and chief operating officer. "Our mission is *to be the most trusted and valued service-driven insurance company.' The Distinguished Insurance Agency award helps focus our agents on the values that are driving all of us at American Famfly." The service excellence distinction was determined Tim Shanto through a two-part evaluation process conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The first part consists of a customer satisfaction survey, which measures customers' overall experience with their current American Family agent. In order to proceed to the second step, agents must meet or exceed the standards measured on a national benchmark established by J.D. Power and Associates* annual auto and home insurance customer satisfaction studies. Only agencies that perform in the top 20 percent of all agencies nationwide based on customer satisfaction surveys are eligible to become a Distinguished Insurance Agency. Agents who meet or surpass the overall national average must then pass a rigorous on-site evaluation based on five best practice areas: proactive reviews of customer insurance needs, claims handling, positive customer contacts, responsiveness and office environment. Shanto has been an agent for American Family since February 2004. His office is located at 1086 North Main St., Spanish Fork. Home Depot coming to SF In cooperation with Spanish Fork City, developers Westfield Properties / Woodbury Corporation welcome Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, to the Spanish Fork community. Home Depot intends to build a new store at approximately 400 East and 1000 North. The store is part of a 38-acre project that will include restaurants, box stores and multi-tenant space. The t project is not yet finalized, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 • A5 yet Home Depot is enthusias- partner to Spanish Fork. tic about coming to Spanish In addition to Home DeFork and has indicated that pot, Spanish Fork City anticiconstruction may begin in the pates another major national Fall of 2008. The new store retailer who is currently under will create more than 150 contract to purchase property new jobs and enhance the lo- within the project area. The cal economy. Westfield Prop- contract between the 128,000 erties/Woodbury Corporation square foot retailer and the and Home Depot would like developers has contingencies to acknowledge the invalu- outstanding, but both parable support of City Officials ties are moving forward on a and Staff in making this proj- known schedule and are planect a reality and bringing an- ning a formal announcement other world-class community in the near future. From AGEL • A l do business. 'There is not one network marketing company as aggressive as us, but we feel with our compensation plan and unique products we can do some of these things other network marketing companies were saying was impossible a year, two years ago," Jensen said. His company is now paving the way in the industry by manufacturing and distributing its distinctive product line based on propriety ' Suspension Gel Technology. "The whole plan just • came into my mind in seconds and within a year and a half we laid a business foundation that brought us where we are now and where we will be in the future," Jensen said. "Our concept is so unique that big-box retailers have clamored to distribute our products." Jensen never felt retail was the best route to take in selling his products. He wanted to provide individuals with great products, but also wanted to provide them with a vehicle to change and impact their lives. Network marketing was the vehicle Jensen found could both carry his gel products to the world and give individuals a lifestyle while doing it. The decision to distrib'.ute his company's products through network marketing paid off. In two years, after the company launched in May 2005, Agel Enterprises completely paid off its loan from ASH Capital. "It typically takes years before most companies can pay off a sizable loan from their initial investment. For Agel to accomplish this in so short of time is phenomenal," Harkness said. Jensen is quick to attribute the rapid growth and success of Agel to its team members applying the company's corporate mission of commitment, dedication and collaboration in their day-today activities. *The overall success of our company is attributed to the success of our distributors," Jensen said. "Our products, compensation plan and experienced corporate leadership is the glue that allows this company to continue to grow, and flourish." Agel employees, in turn, are quick to point out Agel's leadership and Jensen as the reason why Agel is flourishing. "People really believe in him because of his inspiration, honesty, tender-heart and determination," said Gloria Jensen, office manager for Agel Corporate. Agel's Vice President of Global Sales, Jeff Higginson, described Jensen as a leader who exhibits quiet dignity and a laser focus. Now, with the "birthing stages" of the company over, Jensen is as optimistic and enthused as ever as he leads a financially stable company towards greatness. Jensen and his team are now positioning Agel as the • industry innovator and market dominator in gel-product technology, compensation plan and global expansion. Jensen calls his successful business plan the Agel Solution. This Agel Solution has allowed Agel to accomplish what many.veteran marketing companies couldn't— quickly entering and maintaining profits in new markets. "We are operating in more than 40 countries with all of them, except one, being profitable and that one country is starting to become profitable. We brought freshness into an industry that has not seen change for years," Jensen said. A great feat for a company in business for only two years. "What we have done in two years is extraordinary," said Higginson. "We are just warming up to the beginning of something dynamic to come and what makes it that way is the great leadership both out in the field and in the office." As captain of the ship Agel, Jensen will continue to steer his company towards greatness, defying odds along the way. Jensen is an avid outdoorsman and boater with a family of seven. He was born in Salem, and began his network marketing career at NuSkin as a customer service representative. Prior to Agel, Jensen was the Founder and CEO of Synergy Worldwide. ^^ \ Get involved Get informed \ V© t e! Bad politicians are elected by good people that don't vote! VISIT WWW.5PANISHFORKFOIIUM.COM •LEARN ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATES •SEE THEIR INTERVIEWS •READ THEIR PRESS •REVIEWTHEIR PLATFORMS •POST YOUR THOUGHTS A N D QUESTIONS Primary election Tuesday, September I I 7 |