By Byron Wilkes / bwilkes@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
By Byron Wilkes
bwilkes@themeridianstar.com
When a business takes a new direction, layoffs and consolidation might come to mind.
With the announcement of One Life Insurance Company, however, came the announcement of about 100 immediate job opportunities for Meridian as well.
At a special ceremony at One Life's headquarters Monday, Parker & Associates unveiled its new name, logo and direction to a group of about 50 guests, including state and local officials.
"One word: jobs," said Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who was in attendance at the ceremony. "People who are looking for the opportunity to stay in Meridian, stay in Lauderdale County, this is the place to come.
"You're going to have hundreds of career opportunities here, not just jobs."
President and Chief Executive Officer of One Life Scotty Elliott said that there would be about 45 job openings at the company's call center in Meridian, and another 60 to 65 in the company's Stonewall location.
"We'd like to conduct a job fair that's forthcoming," Elliott said.
He added that the job fair would likely take place in the coming months.
"I believe it's going to become one of the largest insurance companies not only in the nation, but in the world," Bryant said, noting the large number of baby boomers who will be considering final expenses in the near future. "It's the right product at the right time."
Ken Parker, who founded Parker & Associates in 1984, said that One Life would be Christian-based, something he infused into the original company. In a press release, Elliott stated, "Parker & Associates was America's leader in final expense insurance sales from 1990 to 2004, topping out at $55 million."
According to Parker, One Life will specializes in life insurance, health insurance and annuities.
"It's going to bring more job positions here," said Mayor Cheri Barry. "It's economic development; it's bringing a lot of people to Meridian for work and for jobs."
Parker also said that if the company does well, up to 200-300 additional jobs could be created in the Stonewall facility.
