A 'good neighbor': Coleman retires, Reed takes over Napa insurance business

After more than 40 years of offering State Farm insurance services in Napa Valley, longtime agent Mark E. Coleman has embarked on a new journey: he retired on Oct. 1.

Coleman launched his insurance career on April 1, 1983, from the ground up.

"When I started, I knocked on a lot of doors, the phones weren't ringing all the time," he recalled.

In 1989, he purchased a well-known Victorian building at 1842 Jefferson St., and turned it into his longtime agency where he would continue to cultivate relationships and welcome customers for more than just their insurance needs.

"We have been through floods, a couple of earthquakes, many fires, and the pandemic … we have really seen it all. I remember coming to the office to check on it and after the earthquakes not knowing if it was still standing, wanting just to come to work," he said.

The agent said he was especially thankful that he was able to help his clients during the 2017 wildfires.

Coleman said he had toyed with the thought of retiring before then, but ultimately, "I was just so glad I was still around. So many of my people were affected."

"My whole thing is you just take care of people the best you can," he said. "The community has been really good to me and I really try to support it."

Based on his volunteer work, Coleman did far more for Napa Valley besides just offering insurance.

"I became a member of Kiwanis Club of Napa and from there, things just started evolving between all of the organizations," said Coleman.

He is a past president of the Napa Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Napa, and The Napa Valley College Foundation, in addition to being a supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, Little League programs, theater groups, local high schools and youth athletics.

"I am just so happy that the crab feeds are returning and we are back in the kitchen at the first of the year," he said. "It always means the most to support the youth, most importantly I want to help keep them out of trouble."

While the former insurance agent may not have a 7:30 a.m. standing meeting with his office anymore, Coleman said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife Sharon, traveling to visit his two kids and four grandchildren, along with playing golf every so often.

"I have a lot of stuff going but if someone plans something, I am probably going to go along with it," he said. He will also be visiting Oregon, Texas and Alabama to see family.

While the name outside the well-known powder gray Victorian is changing, Coleman's policies will continue to be State Farm Insurance policies.

State Farm has appointed second-generation agent Robert Reed to take over Coleman's book of business. Reed, who comes from a family full of State Farm agents, including his mom, dad, brothers and sister-in-law looks forward to servicing and embracing the Napa community.

"I am very thankful to follow in my family's footsteps but also take over for an individual who has been a part of this community for such a long time," said Reed.

"I am excited to take everything I learned in the world of sports and transfer that into the insurance field. I just want to make sure I can help take care of our client's needs not only for today but also into the future," Reed said.

Reed and his wife Marissa and son have called Napa home since 2017. He comes from the Golden State Warriors where he worked with the organization for 10 years and formerly played collegiate football at San Jose State University. He credits Coleman for cultivating such amazing relationships over time, making for an easy transition.

"Mark has taught me a great deal in the time I have known him," said Reed.

"It's all about customer service, taking care of the customer. I want to make sure that I continue the legacy that he has created. He's put in an extraordinary amount of time with State Farm and I could not be more thankful to continue what he has created within the Napa Valley," he said.

Coleman's contagious kindness and demeanor have led to well-earned success — and a new-found friendship, said Reed. The two talk and text daily and see each other regularly.

Reed has some big shoes to fill but Coleman will be there every step of the way, he said.

Info: Robert Reed, State Farm, 1842 Jefferson St., 707-253-1200, Reed.r.robert@gmail.com, 909-518-5605.