From a young age, Ukiah knew that he wanted to help people. Both Ukiah’s Dad and Uncle were police officers and at a young age, Ukiah thought maybe that’s what he wanted to be when he grew up. Our childhood career plans don’t always manifest but Ukiah’s desire to help people definitely has.
Ukiah decided to become an insurance agent because of his own story. As a client of Country Financial for 11 years, Ukiah was involved in an accident. Over the next 5 years, he asked himself, “Why? Why did this happen?” His “why” was answered when he realized he wanted to teach people exactly what their insurance provides them and how he can help protect them. He wanted to make sure that the coverage clients were purchasing was doing what it was supposed to do.
Ukiah is a family man through and through. Ukiah is the oldest of 6 siblings. He is very happily married and has 4 beautiful children. A McMinnville native, Ukiah is the 6th generation to live on the same road. His parents, as well as 3 sets of aunts and uncles, 2 brothers, and 4 cousins also live on that road currently. “There is always somebody close-by to help out”. Ukiah, his wife and kids are currently the 3rd generation to live in their home. Ukiah’s extended family also live throughout Yamhill County and Idaho. He has 70 first cousins!
Ukiah’s grandfather would share stories at the breakfast table. One such story is that Ukiah’s family was very involved in politics when we was younger. When Ukiah was 4 or 5 years old he made a yard sign that he promptly planted in their front yard…”Ukiah for Governor”. Around the same age, his grandfather was remodeling the kitchen; young Ukiah asked him in all sincerity, “Why are you destroying the house?” His grandfather handed him a hammer and chisel and had him rip up the floor, they worked together to “destroy the house”.
Ukiah’s happiest moments in life have been when he married his wife 13 years ago, the day each of his children were born, and the day he realized that he accepted Christ as his savior and what that truly meant to him.
The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce is very fortunate to have Ukiah on our team of Ambassadors. If you haven’t had an opportunity to sit down and get to know him, you really should!
