Fellow Rotarians, it is my honor and privilege to introduce the world’s newest Rotarian, Stephen Morse, Classification Insurance, who was proposed and seconded by Virginia McKenzie and Doug Seto.You’re going to have to look hard to find someone with more of a claim to being a “native Seattle-ite” than Stephen Morse. He was born and raised in Northeast Seattle, and indeed both of his parents were born and raised in the very same neighborhood.
He attended Bishop Blanchett High, Seattle University, and but for a brief stint in the other Washington, he’s lived his entire life here in Oz. He has 21 cousins, most of whom live in Western Washington. You Rotary Mariners out there may be excited to learn that Stephen is an avid sailor, having grown up in the Seattle Yacht Club where he is now a third-generation member, He’s sailed a Columbia 36, a Hunter 40, and most recently a Uniflyte 32. But more about that later.
Stephen started out his career as a C.P.A. and began with Moss Adams his senior year in college. At one point, Stephen was the Director of the Accounting Mentor Program at Seattle University. After a couple of years with Moss Adams, he migrated to the other coast, joining Pricewaterhouse Coopers in their DC office. Of course, he missed us, and after three years there returned to the untamed western frontier he calls home to join Paccar’s accounting department. He later had succeeding and increasing positions of responsibility with Sunrise Identity and Paladin Services, both in Bellevue.
Since a global pandemic collapse is always a great time to make an abrupt career change, Stephen decided, earlier this year, to make the shift to insurance sales. He’s presently an agent with New York Life. Stephen and I talked about this at some length. I recalled that it’s been a very long time since I met with an insurance agent face-to-face. Indeed, Stephen notes that his business background gives him a huge advantage, in that he really understands the financial implications of the insurance products he represents. Plus, Stephen notes, he really prefers to work with people, as opposed to the somewhat more monastic existence of a CPA.
In addition to sailing, Stephen enjoys skiing, football, and his cabin up on Whidbey Island. In talking with him, I could sense a very strong family theme throughout his conversation. Indeed, when we talked about his sojourn to the east coast, he noted that his return was motivated, in no small part, to “coming home.”
Stephen is deeply service-oriented. He’s already joined the Business Mentors Committee, and as I mentioned, wants to get engaged with the Mariners as soon as he can. With that, it’s my distinct honor to present the world’s newest Rotarian, Stephen Morse.
