100 years ago, the company that would become Standard Insurance Company was founded by a man dedicated to his policyholders and the citizens of Oregon.

Although we now provide financial services and investment products to more than 8 million people nationwide, the value we place on relationships and our philosophy of caring remain as strong today as they were then.

Here are some of our favorite stories about our employees — dedicated people who help us stand out.

“Not the response one might expect from an insurance company, but then again, Tom doesn't work for just any insurance company.”

Tom listened to the voice mail message a second time. It was definitely a wrong number. The elderly caller was looking for a new refrigerator light bulb-not a request one normally makes of an insurance company.

Tom thought about deleting the message. Instead, he called a local appliance store and then he called the woman back with information on where to buy a replacement bulb.

Not the response one might expect from an insurance company, but then again, Tom doesn't work for just any insurance company.

“Leo Samuel, the homeowner, wanted everyone to enjoy the roses he grew. It's why he cultivated them next to his sidewalk. Leo Samuel's love of his community carried over into the spirit of the company he created 100 years ago: the company that would become The Standard.”

Clippers dangled from the wooden fence next to the rosebushes-an invitation to passers-by to take some flowers with them. Leo Samuel, the homeowner, wanted everyone to enjoy the roses he grew. It's why he cultivated them next to his sidewalk.

Soon, neighbors followed his example, growing their roses, not in backyards, but where pedestrians could appreciate them and snip a few. The welcoming idea spread across the block and eventually across the city of Portland, Oregon.

Leo Samuel's love of his community carried over into the spirit of the company he created 100 years ago: the company that would become The Standard. Along with a new company, Leo founded a tradition of corporate philanthropy that has endured to this day.

In The Standard's Portland, Oregon, offices, we remember Leo in unique ways. For years, employees have received a rose on their birthday, and the company hosts an annual rose competition – a very popular...very Portland event.

Leo was a big part of Portland then and now. In fact, some say it was Leo who earned Portland its nickname: The Rose City. And yes, Portlanders still like to plant their roses by the sidewalks.

“The Standard's focus is customer service, and our effort to make the meeting was proof to the client that we would work hard to earn and retain his business.”

Soon after joining The Standard's Atlanta Retirement Plans office, I had the opportunity to make my first sale. Unfortunately, three weeks earlier, I'd taken a bad fall and broken my left elbow and right knee.

The client was in Savannah, 250 miles away, and Dave, my account manager, asked how I was going to get there. Since I couldn't drive or fly, I told him I'd have to cancel the appointment.

Then Dave made me a surprising offer. He said he'd fly out from Portland, rent a car, pick me up and drive me to the meeting with the client. I asked him if he was serious - he was talking about a nearly five-hour drive after a cross-country flight - and he assured me he was.

I was momentarily speechless. Then I accepted his offer.

Dave rolled me into the meeting in a wheelchair. We were followed a few minutes later by the broker, who used a cane as a result of an old injury. “Oh no!” the potential client said, chuckling. “Don‘t tell me this is a sympathy sale!”

After we all enjoyed a good laugh, we used his question to point out that The Standard's focus is customer service, and our effort to make the meeting was proof that we would work hard to earn and retain his business.

The client was sold. He stayed with us for several years until his firm was bought by a larger company. For Dave, the trip had a side benefit: the culinary joy of boiled peanuts from a south Georgia roadside stand. He became a huge fan of them and our new client became a fan of The Standard. Even after his firm was sold, he gave us excellent references that resulted in additional sales.