Celebrating You

We are all in this together

A Message from Our President

Dear family,

The past few weeks have been very interesting to say the least. We have seen the COVID-19 story go from a side note on the news to something that consumes much of our attention every day. As we all adjust to our new “normal” of working remotely, each of us has a part to play in helping us achieve our mission of being a place “where our people and our clients never want to leave.”

To that end, I would like to challenge everyone to seek out things that can be celebrated. There are many things that are happening to us every day that could be taken for granted if we are not seeking out things to be happy about or thankful for. Are you learning to be more productive and efficient working from home? If so, that is something to celebrate. Did someone from the IT help desk help you figure out how to use technology to help you do your job better? That is something to be thankful for and celebrate. Do you get to each lunch with your kids? Go for a walk with your significant other? Play with your pets more? All of these are things to be thankful for and celebrate.

If you are focused on finding things to celebrate, your mood and your perception will change. Once that happens, pay it forward to others. When someone does something to help you, thank them and let them know you appreciate them and their efforts.

Stay safe and remember, we are all in this together.

Jeff Lagos, President

Insurance Office of America

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Heath RitenourChairman & Cheif Executive Officer
“I know I speak for the Board of Directors and entire leadership team when I say, we celebrate YOU. Your commitment to your clients and coworkers has never been more evident than right now. And for that, I want to personally thank each and every one of YOU.”

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Larry MLongwood, FL
“I am thankful for our leadership, and where we as an organization place our trust! I am blessed with an amazing team and could not be more proud to be part of the IOA family. Please keep positive (laughter is good for the soul) and give everyone a little “wobble room” during this time. Be safe and let me know if I can help anyone in any way. ”

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Jane TLongwood, Fl
“Blessed to be employed by such a caring company as IOA!! They have made a difficult time so much better in so many ways, and the quick, smooth action to get us all working from home was very impressive!!! I am thankful for my family, and friends, and that we are all safe and healthy!”

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Leslie BFarmingdale, NJ
“Coming up on two weeks of social distancing and working from home, I find myself caught in waves of emotions: determination turns to anxiety which turns to fear and back around again I go. Someone once told me that gratitude is an action word. Every day I am thankful to work with people, co-workers,clients and a management team, who remind me everyday, to take the action that will allow me to remember to be grateful for the so many blessings I have been given. I absolutely believe we are all in this together, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many who constantly remind me of this fact. I can't wait until the day we can all go back to "normal" (whatever that means) and remember this time as a time where our collective resolve and mutual love and respect for each other pulled everyone through to the other side! ”

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Alicia VEast Hanover NJ
“I want to thank first off the IOA company and my office in East Hanover NJ, in helping us stay safe and work from home. Truly thankful for everyone supporting everyone in this time and helping each other and showing love. Truly thankful also for still having our company and a job right now as well in this crisis.
Thank you all and God bless. ”

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Anne BLos Angeles, CA
“As a relative newbie to the IOA Family, Matt (IT) has been most helpful and patient with getting me completely IT-ready and up to speed. Most recently, he was super patient and instrumental in getting my new laptop “work remote-ready” so that, when we were asked to work from home, everything went off without a glitch for me. 100% successful. Thanks to Matt!
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Janna SColumbia, SC
“My daughter is currently at basic training for the U.S. Army. Family day and graduation have been cancelled (which is terribly sad for the soldiers and families), but I can celebrate and be grateful that she is safe and secure, despite all of the craziness going on in the world right now.”

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Evelyn SLongwood, FL
“My niece lives in a small town in Kentucky, and they are not out of supplies yet in their stores. She insisted on sending me a case of TP so I would have some on hand to share with others, if needed. I sent a group text to some friends and had a family of four text me for some. When my friend came to pick it up, she said she had been driving around all morning and couldn’t find any and went home praying to God and trusting that He would provide what they needed. She received my text as soon as she arrived home. Yes, God says He will provide our daily needs and I guess that even includes TP! ”

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Teri CLongwood, FL
“I want to share how thankful I am to work for a company as wonderful as IOA! They have made it so all employees are able to work from home and are still employed. With all of the uncertainty in the world right now, there are so many who have not been as blessed and they have been laid off until further notice, and I just couldn’t imagine being in that situation.”

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Gerlie RSacramento, CA
“Personally, I'm loving working from home, even with technical issues. James with IT called me on Saturday morning and helped me with a few things. He had a great attitude and was extremely helpful even though he has been working long hours. I really appreciated it.
But yes, I agree, everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe this is an opportunity for everyone to help each other out and connect in ways we never did before. Be thankful for everything we have instead of wishing for things we think we want but don't really need. Anyway, onward and upward! We will get through this, and we will all be better because of it. ”

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Margaret FFarmingdale, NJ
“"When we change the way we look at things, what we look at changes."
My daughter’s bridal shower was canceled….her wedding will be as well. I am so grateful that my daughter is not a 'bridezilla' and gets that there are things going on in the world that are bigger than her [wedding] at the moment. I am so grateful that she will have a happily ever after no matter the date because she is marrying a man who loves her just as much as we do.
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Buffy TLake Mary, FL
“We do have so much to be thankful for during this time. I was able to have lunch with my husband. ”

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Steve HMiami, FL
“Let me say that, for me, the transition to home has been seamless. Thanks to IT for getting me set up prior to the work from home initiative. I have had no connectivity issues affecting my ability to work from home. I have heard from former colleagues, and it has not been so smooth with their companies. With that, a BIG shout out and THANK YOU to IOA IT teams. I also do not miss the drive on the 826.What a relief! And, I am saving on gas also, what a blessing.
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Barbara FOcala, FL
“I could not be happier to say that I work for the best company in America. IOA is incredible in all that they do for their employees and customers. We are all truly blessed beyond belief as my late father in law used to say. I am IOA STRONG!”

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Jeanne CLake Mary, FL
“I am celebrating the good fortune that I have working for a company that continues to create value and pride. With everything that my immediate family is going through with layoffs and difficulties, I am so thankful to be employed by IOA. Thank you for always taking care of us like family and, in turn, allowing us to take care of ours! I am so proud to be with this company!”

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Kim DLongwood, FL
“[Last week] I made 30 face masks for a local cardiologist's office. After running out of elastic, I was able to find headbands that could be cut in the right lengths for loops.”

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Julie BOntario, CA
“My husband and I have some 600 meters of elastic arriving soon. We are trying to supply masks to first responders, ERs, and third-party party food deliveries. People have been donating cotton.”

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Judy FOldsmar, FL
“In times like this it is easy to get overwhelmed, and people have every right to be nervous. This is uncharted territory for all of us. I too wake up each morning and thank God for keeping us safe and healthy. I think this horrible virus is teaching us how to work together more within our communities and look out for each other. I am grateful to work for such a great company and with so many great people, one of the many things I have to celebrate!! Take care and stay safe! ”

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Melinda PIslamorada, FL
“I am here in my home, and my kids are just enjoying me being here, even if I am glued to the computer for several hours. My daughter was feeling down because the county is talking about suspending graduation exercises. She has now transformed into being able to help me by fixing lunch. I realize that we miss seeing each other 8 or more hours of the day, so we are enjoying this time together. I am cautious about this virus, but I am not living my life in fear of it.”

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Carol AAtlanta, GA
“So thankful that IOA made all of the remarkable efforts to enable us all to work from home. I’ve been with IOA for 6 years and am so thankful for the love, patience, kindness, and generosity that management is showing us all. It is more than appreciated.”

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Damaris MLongwood, FL
“I’m very thankful that I have the benefit of still working and being able to work from home. For that, I say thank you. I was afraid I would not be able to keep working to support my family.”

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Glenn HCherry Hill, NJ
“HOPE!! While this is challenging on many fronts, my HOPE is that we will no longer take for granted our ability to interact with people in real-time. While technology affords us the ability to see and speak with each other, it can not replace the personal connection of being physically in the moment with our families, friends, colleagues, and clients. My HOPE is that we will emerge from this challenge with a greater appreciation of togetherness. Stay strong, stay healthy, and may God Bless you.”