Focusing on Culture, Employees & Clients Keeps Morris & Garritano on Top

“A team that loves what they do does it better.”

Those sage words are the wisdom of Kerry Morris, chief operating officer at Morris & Garritano Insurance.

The San Luis Obispo, California, agency was nominated by dozens of employees for its focus on work-life balance and opportunities to advance, making Morris & Garritano this year’s Best Agencies to Work For Silver winner in the West.

People are at the top of the list when it comes to prioritizing time and resources, Morris said. “We understand that employees, our team, are one of our greatest assets and why we can do what we do.”

The family-run agency has a strong focus on flexibility, allowing employees to prioritize professional and private lives, Morris said. “We always put a focus on our culture and employees.”

Morris’s father, grandfather, and brother were all part of the industry and firm. She joined in 2002.

“I was able to work alongside my dad, Greg Morris, and was able to learn not just about insurance but people,” Morris said. “Building relationships is an essential part of our industry–with clients and employees.”

The company has had a longstanding belief in flexibility and had remote work policies in place long before the COVID-19 pandemic forced most employees to work from home.

“It made us understand that we can hire people and work well and effectively even when they are not within our four walls,” Morris said. “More than ever, it got us out of some of our more rigid social norms.”

“We leaned into flexibility, even for employees who may live only 20 miles from the office.”

One nominating employee said, “While I live within the same county as my agency, I’m able to work from home with a very flexible schedule that allows for school pickups and drop-offs, as well as spending time with my young son. This has not been detrimental to my career. Work-life balance is encouraged at our agency.”

Today, most employees are back in the office three days a week.

New hires are adding another dimension to the definition of an ideal work environment. There’s a desire for face-to-face interaction, structure, and networking, Morris said.

“Meeting and attracting new hires, they are looking for a vibrant in-office culture,” Morris said. “The new generation wants to advance quickly. It’s a big emphasis on the fact that you can really focus on a career path, that they really understand where they are going to be, which is important.”

Several nominating employees are excited about the advancement opportunities that are available at the agency and the encouragement and mentorship offered by management.

“The agency is very growth-focused and helps me achieve my personal goals, which in turn, benefits them as a company!” said one nominating employee.

“I am relatively new to the company, but I am extremely impressed by their overall performance and the way they treat and take care of their employees,” said one new hire. “I feel comfortable in my environment and am encouraged by their willingness to help me grow and achieve my own goals, as well as the company’s.”

More than just an insurance agency, “it’s a place where people genuinely care about one another and the clients,” said one nominating employee. “Leadership invests in our growth and well-being, and colleagues show up for each other in ways that go far beyond ‘just work.'”

“I feel trusted, supported, and challenged, which makes me excited to come to work every day,” they added.

“The culture is one of collaboration, kindness, and purpose, and it’s rare to find an organization where those values are not only stated but lived daily.”

Topics Leadership