Steve Sache is among the second-generation family members joining Don Sache, Don Terry and Brent Atkinson at Atkinson & Terry Insurance Brokers, the thriving family business that now has 19 locations in the Lower Mainland employing about 160 people.

Steve works in the Delta head office on Scott Road where the partners first opened shop. Family and roots are important to Steve. His parents moved to Delta when he was three, and he remains there today with wife Monique, daughter Sydney, 10, and his two boys Max, 6, and Tyler, 5.

On graduating from high school Steve went to work in the construction industry, but in the 1980s construction work was seasonal, and during an off-season lull, Don Sache suggested to his son that he obtain an insurance license. “In 1990 I found myself working for the King’s Cross office in Newton, in the mail room,” Steve recalls.

Like so many brokers before him, he got hooked. “Two things really appealed to me,” he says. “I loved meeting all sorts of different people, and I loved that there are so many disciplines you can explore.” He became a road-runner for one of the dealerships and managed an office in Surrey’s Whalley district.

Steve credits the direction provided by his father, Don Terry and Brent Atkinson for his professional growth and accomplishments. “They encouraged me to get involved in as many functions, committees and task forces as possible.” He joined the Insurance Brokers Association of BC board of directors in 2003, and in ’05 became treasurer, a post he held for two years. Last year he served as the first chair of the newly formed Young Broker Network. The challenge of attracting young people to the industry is one that’s especially close to his heart: “I love the idea of other young people receiving the kind of support and inspiration I’ve enjoyed. And in these times of chronic labour shortages, such a network aids our profession enormously.”

Over the past decade Steve served on several industry committees and task forces, and was a valued contributor to pilot projects integrating Web-based technology in brokerage systems. In ’07 he was one of IBABC’s representatives on the negotiating team for the 2008-13 ICBC/Broker Strategic Accord, and his ability to hold his own in a forum that is usually dominated by more senior owner/managers is one of the factors that led to him being selected as this year’s Rising Star. Earlier this year, he traveled to Ottawa to participate in the national broker association’s annual political-action events.

Work and keeping up with three active, growing children keep Steve and Monique busy, but Steve manages to do some fishing in his spare time.

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