BY JACLYN ROSE –
Matt Thomas graduated from Poteau High School in Poteau, Oklahoma in 1998, he then went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Oklahoma State University. “After college I took a job selling life and health insurance on the road. I was licensed in 26 states and went from the east coast to the west coast,” said Thomas. After settling back home, Thomas managed an insurance office in Fort Smith before leaving the industry to help run a small business selling automotive service equipment in Shady Point, Oklahoma for seven years. In May of 2014, he circled back around to insurance and began his career with State Farm. After an intensive six months of training he opened his new office on Highway 71 North, in Mena, on January 1, 2015.
Thomas met his wife, Katie, in college and they married 10 years ago. Together they have three children: Addison, Bryant, and Lexi. Katie teaches 1st grade at Louise Durham Elementary School. “Katie is my rock. Starting a new business is exciting and challenging and I couldn’t do it without her support,” Thomas said.
Matt Thomas State Farm offers auto, home and life insurance with substantial multi-line discounts if you bundle them. They are also a bank and offer financial services such as auto loans, checking and savings accounts, money markets, securities, retirement savings, both Roth and IRA and a popular college savings plan. These services are not exclusive to one another and a customer could capitalize on any of the services Matt Thomas State Farm provides. “I feel like insurance is a noble profession, to be able to help someone in their time of need and to be there for someone when they need you. There is not a better feeling than to know you were able to help them. To be able to give relief to someone with a retirement plan or a college savings account or to help someone realize their dreams and to know they are heading down the right path is a great thing,” Thomas said.
“The mission of State Farm is to ‘help manage risk of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and to realize dreams.’ The mission for my agency is ‘to build one of the most respected insurance companies in Polk County, offering the best insurance and financial products while offering remarkable customer service with a personal touch and to go out of the way to make customers feel appreciated, understood and cared for,” Thomas explained.
“If I’m not in my office, you can probably find me at a baseball field or a gym or a dance studio with my children. God and family are both very important to me. Thomas also supports local children, assisting behind the scenes in many ways, and by sponsoring local baseball and basketball teams. Additionally, Matt Thomas State Farm will be offering complimentary Easter Photos for local children on Thursday, April 2 from 4-6 pm in their office.
“I love the beauty of Polk County, getting out with my kids and exploring. We’ve gone to McGuire’s Access a couple of times and hiking on Queen Wilhelmina and Little Missouri Falls. We love it here and I’m excited to be here full time to really do more and enjoy the outdoors more this summer. I love to golf and fish and hunt and we are happy to be in Polk County,” Thomas said.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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