Salas, an MTSU graduate, has been an independent agent with the group for six years. He credits his parents for being his biggest influences in life in terms of his profession as a sales person.
“Dad is a true ‘rags to riches’ story of working hard and never taking ‘no’ for an answer, where mom is the networker and socialite, which are two very good skills for any good sales person,” said Salas, who is husband to wife Francela and father to daughter Sloane. Speaking to what he loves most about his profession, Salas says, “I love being able to help people protect the number one asset in their lives.” Salas believes he brings value to his clients because he is truly a local person.
“This means I know the territory, what homes are building for, cost-wise, and in the event of a loss I can refer clients to someone local who will treat them right, rather than just tell them to call the claims line. My goal is to never tell someone to call in a claim without having discussed how that claim may impact them in the future.” Salas dedicates himself to getting to know his clients and earning their trust.
Chris Gurley also serves with the Elite team and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He’s been in the insurance industry for more than 20 years, having started his career in the audit department and later moving to claims.
“I made a decision in 2014 to accept a new challenge by changing my focus from claims to sales,” he said. Born and raised in Alabama, Gurley moved to Murfreesboro in the late 1990s. He’s a proud father to two sons, ages 19 and 17, and a regular attender of New Vision Baptist Church.
Gurley’s focus at Elite is on commercial insurance where his goal is to provide the best coverage, service and price in the industry by applying “Elite Advantages.”
“I feel my personality and demeanor fit my current sales role perfectly, as it allows me to connect with my customers on a personal level in order to provide a superior insurance experience,” he said. “I’ve found that most large businesses view their insurance as a necessary evil. I’ve built my business by spending time with my customers, so they understand the dangers that exist and how we can come together to protect them from what lies ahead.”
Mike Gould, otherwise known as “KoolAid,” is a senior account executive with Elite. He provides his clients with superior service and secures them with the very best coverages available at the most competitive pricing possible.
With his 30 years of commercial insurance experience, he considers himself a commercial insurance expert.
Gould credits his parents for making him who he is today.
“I learned my work ethic and competitiveness from my dad,” he said. “He worked hard every day of his life and never made excuses. He always had a smile on his face, never met a stranger, and always treated everyone equal regardless of their situation. My mom was a bookkeeper for different local companies and she is where I learned to have compassion and empathy for others.”
Gould dedicates himself to earning his clients’ trust and being available for them at all times. He believes the referrals he receives reflect in that dedication. “I pride myself on staying updated on current insurance coverages and trends,” he said. “I am honest, ethical and professional, and I always have the very best interest of my clients and potential clients at heart.”
Gould attends New Vision Baptist Church and has been a member of Stones River Country Club since 2010. When he’s not playing golf, Gould stays entertained by his Shih Tzus, Red and Roxy.