New York Life growing in the market

Published 6:07 pm Saturday, January 9, 2010

VALDOSTA — Chris Baltrus began his career with New York Life the same week another man was celebrating a major milestone with the company.

Baltrus said he began working for the company six years ago — the same week a story was written about longtime Valdostan and New York Life agent Buddy Webb celebrating his 50th anniversary with the business.

Webb is still going strong with his company, and Baltrus is doing well with his comparatively young business.

“I was recruited to work for New York Life by a friend, and now I’ve got agents throughout South Georgia and North Florida,” he said. “New York Life has been a great company to work for through the recession as we’re more concerned with longterm plans and conservative money management.”

Baltrus and three agents work out of the Valdosta location, which they recently moved into the end of 2009, on North Oak Street Extension.

Baltrus’ office includes Stacey Sanders, a Valdosta State University graduate; Wendell Campbell, who recently retired from the Air Force; and Lindsey Sutton, a longtime agent with another firm in town.

“We have really good synergy here. We all have different niches in the market, so we’re not stepping on anyone’s toes,” Baltrus said.

“We’re a small business with an expanding presence in the Valdosta market.”

New York Life is the nation’s largest mutual insurance company. For more information, visit nylife.com.