Creating families
Age:30
Organization: GEICO
Title: Manager, Spanish Sales & Customer Service
City: Lakeland
State: Florida
As an Army National Guard veteran and long-time customer service professional, Ivan Ramos knows that critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to remain cool under pressure are qualities necessary to succeed.
As GEICO manager for Spanish sales and customer service he dug deep into those qualities to help the insurance giant open “SOMOS GEICO.” The sole purpose and focus of the division were to educate and guide the company’s Spanish-speaking customers with their insurance needs.
The goal was to service and sell to the entire United States, in Spanish. Another goal was to provide career opportunities to the growing Latino community.
He has been involved with the hiring, recruiting, and onboarding strategy of Spanish-speaking candidates as well as a Hispanic marketing strategy. He was heavily involved in leading and developing talented Spanish-speaking leaders and associates to take on additional responsibilities and execute “our business strategy – siempre con amor y cariño.”
When the effort began in 2019, there were only about 40 associates – between customer service and sales operations – and they were only available in Florida. Fast forward to today, the “familia,” stands at approximately 500 plus associates and leadership with plans to grow to over 750 in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. What this has meant is that there are more people to educate, guide, and serve Spanish-speaking customers on their insurance needs across the country.
He attended the University of Phoenix where he earned his associate degree in business, as well as his Bachelor of Science in Business. His goal is always to exceed expectations by providing excellent leadership development, problem resolution, and team-building skills while maintaining a positive attitude.
He said HACE serves to support companies and individuals to be open to and to lead diversity which will lead to a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences in hybrid workplace structures. HACE helps to instill the understanding that everyone carries leadership roles, whether a manager or worker.
