State Farm Office Changes Hands

Don Olivett is Emporium's new State Farm agent. Olivett, pictured with colleague Kathy Lewis, took over for the retired Dave Guloien.

There's a new face at the State Farm Insurance office on East Fourth Street.

Emporium native Don Olivett brings a bulging resume to the job, as successor to longtime State Farm agent Dave Guloien, who retired. The two other team members, Kathy Lewis and Molly Fragale, remain on the job.

The public is welcome to stop by the State Farm office next week (Oct. 9-14), during a grand opening celebration. Door prizes will be awarded.

From senior sales positions with several Fortune 500 companies to consulting and motivational jobs, the son of Buzz and Eva Olivett has logged many miles.

He returned to Emporium in 1999 to begin consulting with Adelphia Communications in Coudersport. Later, he joined Adelphia's staff as a training director. Olivett left that job several months ago to begin

training of his own, in preparation for his appointment as the new State Farm agent.

Most people know "Ollie," whose natural cheerfulness and sense of humor have served him well throughout his career. However, few are aware of the breadth of his experiences, professionally and otherwise.

He's not naturally a namedropper, but among notables he's worked with over the years are author Jack Canfield, from the famous "Chicken Soup" book series; Jim Tunney, former National Football League official; prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs, professional hockey players, Olympic athletes and more.

Not only has he motivated other athletes, he has also been a competitive runner for many years and still enters races from time to time. His wife, Anne, is a native of Norway.

Olivett joins State Farm at a time when the company is expanding its traditional role as a "good neighbor" provider of home and auto insurance. Financial services are now a major part of State Farm's business -- mutual funds, money market accounts, 401(k) plan rollovers and related services.

Although he has lived in many states and worn many hats over the years, Olivett thinks he has come full circle.

"I believe in Emporium and have always considered this to be my home," he told the Endeavor. "Like many small towns, we are facing challenges and I'm looking forward to being an active member of the local business community."