Most of my professional life was in the escrow, real estate and legal fields, beginning in California and then migrating to Northern Nevada in 1998, where I continued my path. As a result of the 2008 financial turmoil I lost my position as a paralegal in Reno, and along with many other people I scrambled to find something to keep me afloat.
Fortunately I quickly found work with the 2010 US Census Bureau campaign. Near the end of that term I was assigned to go door to door to interview citizens who had either inadvertently or purposely not turned in their Census survey. In the Wild West of Northern Nevada at that time, I met some fascinating characters, but I was able to successfully complete my Census Bureau assignment.
At the end of the Census Bureau campaign, I found myself again scrambling to find a new start.
In a silent auction fundraiser I won the opportunity to operate the largest bulldozer in the world, the Komatsu D575A. I flew to a huge jobsite outside Las Vegas, a new subdivision called Anthem, and the foreman guided me through heavy operations. I had the time of my life! At the end of the day, he suggested that I had a good feel for the equipment, and opined that he may be able to find me a position!
At the same time, one of my fellow Census Bureau workers invited me to go with him to an Aflac presentation for the field force sales team. With absolutely no sales or self-employment experience, in 2011 I found myself with a brand new Nevada Life and Health Insurance Producer license and an Independent Contractor agreement with Aflac.
Who knows where I would be now had I become a heavy equipment operator!
Aflac provides outstanding education and support, and we new agents learned the basic sales tool of knocking door-to-door. I eventually migrated from Northern Nevada to Las Vegas, where business was booming. As an independent contractor I struggled in a new and unknown city. Fortunately, a new-found friend in Las Vegas introduced me to LeTip.
I joined the brand new LeTip of Centennial Hills Chapter in November 2017. My LeTip chapter helped me learn what networking is all about, and what it takes to be a good member in the Chapter. Unfortunately the Chapter did not survive, and I transferred to LeTip of Las Vegas in 2018. When the then-President, Robert Bridel, called me to welcome me to the Chapter, I felt like I found my niche.
In 2019 I became the Secretary of the Chapter, and in 2020 I assisted with the national Power Event, which was sponsored and produced in Las Vegas by our Chapter.
With the help of my LeTip Chapter, during my membership I found my footing in my business and the community. In 2022 our Chapter was voted Chapter of the Year.
The highlight of my LeTip experience so far is in November 2021 when Summer Middleton called me out of the blue and invited me to be the Secretary of the National End of Year Meeting. I was star-struck and flustered, but once I caught my breath, and my big-head ego could fit through the door, I was honored and proud to be invited. The virtual meeting was by Zoom and open to every LeTip member in the United States! It was well attended, lively, educational, and fun!
This year I was also honored to be a volunteer Facilitator at the first LeTip National Convention. Pre-convention I helped fill swag bags, and on opening day I shadowed Scott Jones at registration (although Scott is so well organized and respected that he does not need shadowing!), and I was able to help as needed with many other unexpected tasks that arise in a first-time endeavor.
I was also invited to lead the Board Training breakout session for Secretaries, and we Secretaries had a fun and informative time. It is so beneficial to hear how people in the same position in other Chapters operate in the same position, and we all came away with new ideas to implement in our own Chapters.
I had such a positive, fun and educational time at the 2024 Convention that I have already volunteered for the 2025 Convention!
In my spare time I enjoy travelling, off-roading and camping in my Jeep, hiking, and exploring all that our great state of Nevada has to offer.
Debra Lockwood
Independent Agent for Aflac
Secretary, LeTip of Las Vegas
