Insurance agent in Highland celebrating 10 years with State Farm
Insurance agent Lisa Sauer of State Farm Insurance agency in Highland will be celebrating 10 years at this location with a Customer Appreciation Week the first week in August.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day will feature special treats with the following fare:
- Monday, Aug. 3: Snowy sweets
- Tuesday, Aug. 4: Pop in for popcorn
- Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sweets for the sweet
- Thursday, Aug. 6: Flower power
- Friday, Aug. 7: Hot diggity dog
Lisa became the first born of Richard and Sandra Coon on Oct. 19, 1961, in Jacksonville, Illinois. She and her two younger brothers and two little sisters were raised in Winchester and Lisa said “since I was the oldest, I got to be the boss.” The five enjoyed country activities such as hiking, biking and swimming.
Her adventurous dad purchased a Jeep and often took the kids on excursions. Lisa said they had a close-knit family and they all have fond memories of holidays with family and playtime with cousins, not forgetting her mother’s “delicious fried chicken.” Even their grandparents took them on little brave treks.
During teen years at Winchester High School, Lisa had a penchant for business and American history. She was a cheerleader and served on the yearbook committee and student council. She also played softball and was in the French Club, graduating in 1979.
In 1982, through mutual friends, she was introduced to John Sauer.
“He was handsome and lots of fun,” recalls Lisa.
By Sept. 3, 1983, they tied the knot.
Lisa began attending Milliken College and later went to Eastern Illinois University, earning a degree in marketing. The young couple settled in Springfield where Lisa worked for Lincoln Douglas Savings & Loan until she became employed by an engineering firm in Effingham.
Then in 1986, desirous of their own adventure and change of pace, they opted to relocate to Phoenix, where Lisa worked for a large law firm. She also became a mother to their twos sons, Nicholas and Joseph.
But it was not long before the growing family began missing home and relatives, so they relocated to Carlinville in 1992. There, Lisa sought what ended up being her lifelong career with State Farm Insurance.
“I soon learned State Farm is like one big family,” said Lisa. “And I knew we were a good fit. I believe in State Farm so much that I bleed red.”
In 1993, their daughter, Olivia, was born. By 2004, the family of five moved to Troy where Lisa continued her career with State Farm as a consultant for the Edwardsville location. In 2010, she took over the Highland site.
Advice from Lisa, memorable insurance stories
Lisa said she focuses on educating people about the importance of insurance and securing the coverage that is right for them and their needs. One of the biggest mistakes when securing insurance some people make is searching for the cheapest policy, which, according to Lisa, does not mean it is the wisest choice.
When asked to recall her most bizarre and most rewarding experiences throughout her years with State Farm, she responded with, “Both were after hail storms. After one such hail storm in Carlinville where a man put in a claim for hail damage to his car, he was caught in the act of beating the roof with a ball peen hammer.
“My most rewarding was during the aftermath of a major hail storm which wreaked devastation upon so many homes and autos that State Farm actually set up my location as a claim catastrophe center and we were able to help so many in their time of need.”
Sadly, tragically and suddenly last October, John and Lisa’s eldest soon, Nicholas, died in his sleep from a heart condition. Because he left behind an infant son, Jackson, and his wife, Megan, Lisa said it “really brought home to me the importance of insurance.”
More about Lisa Sauer
Lisa is a board member and current president of the Highland Chamber of Commerce and has served in various leadership roles for the Federation of Business Women and Business Network International. In her spare time Lisa enjoys gardening and spending time in their pool.
What is the best part of Lisa’s job?
“Being there for people in the worst of times. That’s when we shine,” said Lisa.
This story was originally published July 25, 2020 at 12:00 AM.