In his own words: John DeRicco of LP Insurance

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about LP Insurance Services and your responsibilities.

John DeRicco: LP Insurance is a large commercial insurance brokerage firm that specializes in property insurance, surety, workers compensation, employee benefits, medical malpractice and risk management. We are headquartered in Reno with offices in Las Vegas, Sacramento and Truckee. We now have over 100 employees to service clients throughout Nevada and Northern California. My role is to maintain and service my book of business and to write new business. I do a lot with the young producers to try and help them increase their book sizes and help them write new business.

NNBW: How did you get into the insurance profession?

DeRicco: Betty and I were living in Sacramento in 1999, and Nick Rossi — he’s the president of this firm — called me and asked if I wanted to move back to Reno. Nick and I are cousins. I was in the car business at that time and I was driving a lot of miles and wasn’t home a lot. Betty and I always wanted to get back to Reno, so it was a good opportunity. It was the best decision I ever made.

NNBW: You work a lot with your firm’s younger and new employees — what have you learned over the years that really helps position them for success?

DeRicco: One of the things we do well, and it’s really important in business, is to set yourself apart from the competition, and we have done that through the services we provide and our risk management program. That enables us to provide services for our customers that no one else in town can match.

NNBW: What other lessons have you learned over your career that help you succeed?

DeRicco: One of the things that helps me is just being back in Reno and having mentors like Nick Rossi — he helped me a ton when I got into the business. Another of the biggest things that has helped me is referrals from my clients. That has really helped me grow my book of business.

NNBW: As a criminal justice major, is this the career path you had envisioned?

DeRicco: No. I graduated in 1991, and I really wanted to do something in law enforcement. But at that time the state was on a hiring freeze and there really weren’t any positions available. I was married and I needed a job after I graduated, so I started selling cars. I never got out of sales since that day.

NNBW: What was your first job?

DeRicco: I used to mow lawns in the neighborhood with my brother. My first paid job was at Western Nevada Supply; I used to work there in the summers.

NNBW: If you could do anything for your career, what would it be?

DeRicco: After being in this position and where I am now, I don’t think I would change what I am doing. I have great customers, and I like the people I work with. This has been an unbelievable opportunity for me — this may be my dream job.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

DeRicco: The biggest thing in this business is patience as you build your book. If you are patient and take care of your customers, you will have a prosperous career if you put the time in and do what’s right.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job?

DeRicco: I really enjoy interacting with my customers and helping them solve problems or coming up with solutions. I also really enjoy working with young producers and helping them grow their books.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from work?

DeRicco: Both my girls are in travel volleyball, so we spend a lot of time traveling. When we are home we usually are trying to get caught up on housework. I also like to golf a bit.

NNBW: What do you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment?

DeRicco: Being one of the founders of LP Insurance. We started LP on Sept. 1 of 2010.

NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

DeRicco: I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player, but you know how that works.

NNBW: If you could retire right now, would you?

DeRicco: The older I get, the less I want to retire. I really enjoy what I am doing, and I’m not ready to retire.

NNBW: What’s the last concert or sporting event you attended?

DeRicco: A Giants game last summer.

NNBW: Where’s your perfect vacation spot?

DeRicco: Sitting on a beach or beside a pool decompressing. Those are our best vacations.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?

DeRicco: I love northern Nevada. After being in Washington and Northern California, coming back to Reno was great. The community is great, and just being around family is everything. My brothers and sisters and wife’s entire family is here, and that’s why we want to be here. There’s nothing better — you can’t duplicate Reno.

To suggest a candidate for NNBW’s weekly question and answer column, look at our editorial calendar (http://apps.nnbw.com/utils/pdfs/9683736R.pdf) and contact reporter Rob Sabo at rsabo@nnbw.biz or call 775-850-2146.