Longtime State Farm exec Willie Brown retiring [The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.]

Dec. 23--BLOOMINGTON -- For a little while longer, you'll find Willie Brown, one of State Farm Insurance Cos.' top executives, in his second office: plopped down at a public table overlooking the atrium.

And feel free to approach him, even if he's wrapped up in a conversation with one of the other 5,000-plus employees who work at corporate headquarters.

"Unfortunately, I'm not very polite," Brown, 62, joked during a recent interview ahead of his Tuesday retirement after 38 years at State Farm, most recently as executive vice president.

For many in Bloomington-Normal, Willie Brown is the most visible face of the insurance company, playing a leadership role in countless community service and charitable projects, many on behalf of his employer.

Those who know Brown say he's a dedicated man who used his background as a Twin City native to show that a child's potential is limitless with enough hard work, and the right encouragement.

"You can go anywhere and talk to any organization in town, or any city official, say Willie's name and they'll just lean back in their chair and smile," said Dale Avery, president of 100 Black Men of Central Illinois, a group that mentors children. "He opened a lot of doors for me."

Brown often says he came to State Farm looking for a job and found a career and a second family. He started in 1971 on third shift in data processing. He's been in life insurance, auto and fire and personnel, among others.

He's been a member of the Chairman's Council since 2002 and currently has oversight over administrative, creative and enterprise services, handling a lot of the "backroom operations," as he puts it.

"Maybe I've had 20 different careers, but I never left State Farm," he said.

In the community

His community service resume is even more extensive. He's chaired United Way campaigns, a task force to close the education achievement gap for low-income and minority students, and a Salvation Army holiday drive. Next month, he'll be awarded the Bloomington Human Relations Award.

"The passion (Brown) has for it, it's heartfelt," said Greg Cott, president and CEO at United Way of McLean County.

Brown said his drive stems from his mother, Addie Mae Brown-Johnson, who still lives in Bloomington, and his old boss at the now-defunct Colonial Pancake House in Normal, where he worked growing up.

"The one lesson I learned (there) was that never ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself. I didn't know I was learning that lesson at the time," Brown said.

More recently, he said the 2000 film "Pay It Forward," about a chain-reaction pattern of good deeds, captures his passion.

"Life is somewhat like an echo: What you put out has a way of coming back to you, be it positively or negatively," he said.

Brown said he's most proud of his work with Twin City youths, such as 100 Black Men's annual visit to State Farm with a group of local kids. And he credits local black leaders who came before him for his belief that his opportunities were not limited growing up in the Twin Cities.

"I was in the same classroom as everyone else," said the District 87 alumnus, "reading the same book as everyone else, taking the same test. I felt like, if they can, I can."

'Always been Willie'

Though many credit Brown with facilitating State Farm dollars for local causes, he said Ed Rust Jr., current chairman and chief executive officer, has always emphasized to him the need to be a good corporate citizen. Brown often works on community projects with other State Farm workers.

"He has a great amount of trust in what you're doing," said Djuana Thompson of Bloomington, who worked with Brown on the achievement gap task force. "I'm an analyst at State Farm, and I felt very comfortable working with one of State Farm's highest executives.

"He's been so successful because he's always been himself. He has never changed," she said. "He's always been Willie."

Brown said his three children -- including Marcus, a State Farm agent in Normal -- and seven grandchildren are wondering what he plans to do in retirement. He plans to stay involved in community efforts but will see how that unfolds over time.

"I'll be watching fondly from not too far away, seeing how we're doing."

To see more of The Pantagraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pantagraph.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.