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Employees of Pan American Life Insurance group show their Saints spirit outside their downtown office. Standing, from left, are: Bryan Scofield, Stephen Jervay, Brenda Guevera, Ellen Fitte, Linda
Gusman, Anita Kerr, Trudy Callia and Elisa Marquez. Kneeling are Johnny Cefalu and Karen Enamorado, and holding a foam finger is Shlonda Idowu.
Photo by Tracie Morris Schaefer
Pan American Life
Insurance Group
For a New Orleans-based insurance company,
Pan American Life Insurance Group
has global aspirations.
Its vision is to build a bridge of financial
security between the United States and Latin
America.
But keeping employees abreast of the
company’s direction through training and
continuing education is deeply embedded in
that vision, said José Suquet, the company’s
chairman, president and CEO.
“I think we have to do more of the same and
just keep advancing our education,” he said,
adding that education is an ongoing employee
benefit. “Nothing substitutes for excellent performance.
If you have a strong company, that’s
the key to helping employees.”
Through Pan American’s New Employee
Development program, employees who have
been with the company for at least two years
are afforded an opportunity to meet with
executive staff members once a month to
learn more about the company.
Elisa Márquez, communications manager
in the corporate marketing division, has been
with the company for two and a half years
Nature of business: life and health insurance
Where based: New Orleans
Employees: 280 in New Orleans, 424 in Latin America
Average starting salary: $63,500*
Median salary: $55,000*
Average employment time: 12.5 years
Benefits: health care with 88 percent coverage, dental and
prescription plans, paid maternity leave, 401(k) with 6 percent
match, continuing education program, relocation assistance,
flexible hours, employee recognition program
Wait time for benefits: first day of the month following 30
days of employment
Paid days off: 32.5
Web site: www.panamericanlife.com
*Salary figures are from Aug. 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009.
and said she’s gaining significant support
and insight during meetings with executives
that expose potential Pan American leaders
to the company’s various divisions.
Márquez said she’s worked in different
corporate structures in the past, but none
was as supportive as Pan American.
“When I came here, I noticed that employees
are encouraged to be creative and to
present new ideas,” she said.
Ellen Fitte started her career with Pan
American as an accounts payable clerk 13
years ago and has held seven positions since.
In her current role as a senior human
resources generalist, Fitte recruits new
employees and shares her Pan American success
story with potential recruits as examples
of how one can grow with the company.
“I’ve been given an opportunity to grow, an
opportunity to advance my career,” said Fitte,
who is enrolled in a preparatory class for human
resources certification through the company’s
continuing education opportunities.
Throughout the past year and a half, Pan
American has maintained its annual meritbased
raises, paid bonuses and 401(k) matches
despite the economic crisis.
Suquet said “open communication with
employees about the state of the economy
and the business,” the competitive nature of
Pan American employees and cost management
helped maintain operations without
massive layoffs.
The company also continues to offer
employees a full portfolio of insurance coverage,
including long-term care, life and disability.
To balance the corporate focus, Pan
American’s Ice Cream and King Cake Gras
socials are among the additional perks that
employees indulge in each year.
“I think the more accessible and human
you make a place, the more people feel like
they want to belong to it,” Suquet said.•
— Nayita Wilson
30 2009 Best Places to Work