Moving to Kosciusko in 1974 as the youngest agent ever hired by State Farm Insurance, Edwin Albin soon made his mark during a career spanning 43 years.
Albin recently retired from his position with the insurance company and plans to spend his time doing, “what southern boys like to do,” he said — hunting, fishing and golfing.
Reflecting on his years in the insurance industry, Albin gives much of the credit for his success to the staff he has had through the years.
“I hired smart people, gave them the best training available, then let them do the work. It takes a good staff to operate successfully,” he said.
Originally, the only help he had was his wife, but at the time of his retirement, the agency had a staff of five.
Albin said his father-in-law, the late Haywood Lewis, a successful State Farm agent, was his mentor and encourager, and the walls of Albin’s former office hold plaques and other mementoes of his career, including Legion of Honor, Golden Triangle, Crystal of Excellence, President’s Club, Chairman’s Club, Life Ambassador Club and other company recognitions.
Albin said giving back to the community has been foremost in his career and that community-mindedness has been a contributing factor to his success throughout his career.
The Holmes County native moved to Kosciusko not knowing many of its residents.
He soon became involved in the community, a practice he continues now into his retirement.
He is active in the Lions Club, having serving in every leadership office, membership in the Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Corp. and First United Methodist Church.
Albin’s 43 years in the insurance business have afforded him many opportunities to experience a sense of accomplishment.
“Helping families recover from a storm, fire or other disaster is very rewarding,” he said.
His longevity means he has recently been providing insurance to the grandchildren of some of his earliest customers, he noted.
Albin said he also found it important to be friends with competitors.
Albin and his wife, the former Mickey Lewis, have two children, Angel MacDonald and Win Albin, and four grandchildren.
