Douglas J. Schwegman, CLU, ChFC
I have always been an outgoing, “people-person,” and very hard-working. My very first real job started at age 12 delivering papers. I knew my customers by name and collected their monthly fees in person. Papers were ALWAYS delivered to the front porch and on time, even in the snow or rain. I later understood serving people was my destiny.
After high school, I attended Oklahoma State University and like most young adults, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. After much contemplation my father suggested I consider the insurance business and I accepted. Dad gave me an office, a telephone, a telephone directory and a manager. He wasn’t about to train me or give me clients, I was an Independent business owner on straight commissions! I can’t count how many rejections I received every day; but being the determined, hard-worker that I am, I never gave up. I live my life under a principal my dad taught me “if you think you can or you think you can’t, either way your right.” I’ve now carried out the family business for 34 years and absolutely love what I do. I love advising and servicing clients with their financial needs, and gaining lifelong friends in the process.
When I’m not at work, you can find me on the racquetball court or outdoors! I love being outdoors and being active. Fishing, hunting, doing yard work or minor home repairs is my relaxation. You won’t find me watching TV. You can also find me on the beach in Destin, Florida at our vacation home with my wife, Debbie. She taught me how to truly relax and love the beach. Occasionally we invite our three children down as well.
Teresa Carter
When I was a child, I always wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to help and care for others. During high school, my first real job was working at a shoe store. While that has nothing to do with nursing of course, I was still helping people.
After high school, I attended Oklahoma State University where I quickly found out that science was not my forte, so no nursing for me. I had no idea what else I wanted to do. My father had an insurance agency and told me to come work for him. He said “he would make my life so miserable that I would want to go back to school!” So, I started with my father in May of 1984, and stayed until 1993 when I had my first child and decided to be a stay-at-home mom. In 2005, I came back to work for Doug, eventually specializing in health insurance for groups and individuals. After spending all these years in the office, I can honestly look at my father and tell him that insurance obviously isn’t all that miserable, and he did not run me off! Helping people is still my calling.
When I’m not servicing health individuals and groups in the office, you can find me spending time with my family. I enjoy fixing family dinners and spending time with my girls, Nicole and Heather. You can also find me outdoors doing yard work or walking the dog. Oh, I almost forgot my other hobby; shopping.
Melissa Schwegman-Whitaker
Growing up, I never would have pictured myself working in an office. I always wanted to be a professional dancer, or a horse trainer (and according to all of the M.A.S.H. games I played with my best friend, I was definitely going to be one of those!). After high school, when life became real and jobs imagined as a kid became fantasy, an office job didn’t seem so bad; especially when the office job I was about to go to work for was my own family’s business.
I graduated from Rogers State University in 2011 with a bachelors in Psychology. I wanted to do counseling, and never thought that I would actually be counseling people in the insurance business, but that is exactly what I do! My job here is working with people one on one and helping them decide what benefits fit their lifestyles and needs best. I really enjoy going out to all of our groups and explaining the worksite benefits that are offered, then sitting down with each individual person and counseling them on their needs.
When I’m not at the office or visiting groups, you can find me spending time with my family. My husband, Travis, and I have been married six years. We have a “furbaby,” Hank, who we love like a child! I love being outside, walking the dog or just doing yard work and working on our home. I also love living in Bartlesville where all of our extended family members are only 10 minutes away!