Fast Five with PayneWest's Marvin Sears
Sears
Abrie Sterbank, a fifth-grade student from Prairie View Elementary School, reads her essay about Martin Luther King Jr. during the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kids Program at NIC. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Seltice Elementary School fifth-grader Cyris Gardner reads his essay to fellow Post Falls School District fifth-grade students at the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kids Program. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Ponderosa Elementary School fifth-grader Charolette Allen reads her essay to fellow Post Falls School District fifth-grade students at the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kids Program. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Tell us about yourself
Generation: It appears that I am one of the last waves of Gen-Xers. Being born in 1982, I am on the fringe of X and millennial, which is being termed by some as Xennials, which is just too much! Why does everything need a label? I believe my generation can really be defined by innovative imaginations, entrepreneurial spirits, and being more free thinking, but we can certainly be more vexing as well.
Career and community involvement: Sales executive, personal insurance for PayneWest Insurance; many nonprofit events and community-based organizations, BACONFEST benefitting St. Vincent de Paul.
Parental status: I married the love of my life, Erin, in 2010. Since then our family has grown by two human tornadoes, Greyson and Elle, and a needy, little dog, Baxter.
1. What is your favorite place to be in Kootenai County and why?
Wow! That is tough. How can you choose one place? If not my own home, hanging with my beautiful family, then probably Corbin Park’s disc golf course, or walking around Tubbs Hill, or being downtown enjoying some food and drinks.
2. What do you love about your work?
I absolutely love helping people. Through PayneWest, I am typically able to save families money while protecting their loved ones and assets.
3. What is your favorite way to serve your community?
Great question! My favorite would probably be donating my time and efforts to a cause. I like to be involved. It allows me to see how my efforts are contributing to make our community better.
4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I come from a family where neither my mother or father graduated from high school, which made me determined to graduate both high school and college. As the eldest of my siblings, I had hoped to be a positive example for them.
5. If you were an animal, what would you be?
A platypus, because I can’t really be defined by any one thing. I am a father, husband, friend, insurance agent, athlete, nerd, etc. The platypus is an amalgam of different animals. It’s not a duck. It’s not a beaver. It has similarities to both, but also has a nice little scorpion-like stinger on the back of its hind foot. Not many people know about the stinger ...
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Devin Weeks can be reached by email at dweeks@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DevinCDAPress