HOULTON, Maine — After 31 years of helping people select the right type of insurance to meet their needs, Randy Lincoln has decided to retire from the business that bears his name.
Fortunately, for clients of the Randy Lincoln Agency, his son Emery has taken up the charge and will carry on the business his father created.
“It’s a couple of years earlier than I thought, but it is nice to say I am retired,” Randy said.
A former dairy farmer, Randy Lincoln decided to take up the insurance business after learning that his agent at Farm Family Insurance had resigned.
“I didn’t have a clue at first, and really thought it would be the last thing in the world I would want to do,” he said.
Randy soon discovered he loved his new line of work, especially since he was dealing with many of the farmers that were once his peers in the industry. Knowing what types of services those farmers needed came in handy for him in the early stages of his career.
Randy began selling insurance from a property in downtown Houlton. He then built a home on North Street and retrofitted the garage as a home office. He moved to his current location, 24 North St., when he purchased the former Kentucky Fried Chicken location in 2003 from Milton Smith and converted it into office space.
One change that will be coming is a new name, as the business will now be known as the Lincoln Agency under Emery’s leadership.
Inez Arledge will remain with the company as an additional agent, Randy said.
Emery is new to the insurance business, but the fact that he is carrying on the family tradition fills Randy with a great source of pride. “I am so glad he is taking over and maybe be able to help guide him along the way a little bit,” Randy said. “I hope he is successful as I was and enjoys working with the people.”
Plus Emery successfully passed his license exam on his first attempt, which is better than his father did, Randy noted with a laugh.
A 2006 graduate of Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Emery worked at Dead River Company for a few years and has also served in the National Guard for the past eight years.
“It took my by surprise one night when dad told me he was getting done and he asked me if I was interested in taking on the business,” Emery said. “He asked if I had ever thought about it and it had crossed my mind since he was so successful.”
Taking over the business, Emery said his biggest challenge will be getting to know his customers on a more personal level to make sure his company is providing the best possible services.
For Randy, retirement will involve managing a 190-unit storage facility on Smyrna Street, as well as doing home inspections a couple days a week “just to pass the time,” he said.. Randy also has 25 beef cattle at his home to manage.
The insurance business has changed dramatically over the years, Randy said.
“It has evolved from a strictly mailing business to now everything is done with computers,” he said. “Years ago, we would get envelopes from UPS every day filled with policies and other information. Now it’s instant.”
Customer service has always been a source of pride for Randy, and it’s something his son plans to continue.
“People go for service,” Randy said. “They want that personal touch with their insurance needs. People want to come in and sit down and explain what they want.”
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- Randy Lincoln, right, goes over some policies with his son Emery who has taken over the family insurance business, soon to be renamed the Lincoln Agency, following his father’s retirement. Randy Lincoln sold insurance in the Houlton area for 31 years. (Joseph Cyr)
