Jill C. Roth, AAI Account executive, Ahart, Frinzi & Smith Time at company: 4 years College: George Mason University '04 Organizations and awards: Secretary of the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia Young Agents Committee (2009-12), Member of the National Young Agents Committee (2011-12)   How can employers retain young talent? Keep it exciting. Our agency recently introduced a marketing challenge. Once a month, we have a meeting and highlight the successes of our producers. Our principals gave us the freedom to market any way that worked for us. Another way to retain young talent is to get them involved in state young agent programs. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other young professionals in the industry. It provides the camaraderie an agency cannot, as well as important sales and industry knowledge.   How does technology fit into your work strategy? Within the first couple of months in the agency, I redesigned our website, created Facebook and Twitter accounts, and am now launching our first e-newsletter. Social media, particularly Facebook, has helped me tremendously in my marketing technique. I use its search engine to find sound prospects.   How do you balance work and personal life? My husband, Justin, works for a member of Congress. As you can imagine, both of our lives are very busy. He taught me a great lesson early on: "Take your lunch break, and try not to bring too much work home with you at night." Life has a funny way of bringing you your biggest account when you're not looking for it. Whether you're having dinner at the local restaurant or hanging out at the local pool, your next big client might be sitting right next to you.   What's toughest about being a young agent in a field where the average age is 55? The younger generation doesn't work on a 9-to-5 schedule. Rather than punching the clock and getting accomplished only what's expected of you, young agents think of creative ways to market ourselves at any given time of day. Luckily, my agency understands this way of thinking and has done everything in its capacity to accommodate this way of life.   Who do you look to as a mentor in this industry? The obvious answer is my dad, Tom Ahart. He has somehow done it all. He grew my grandfather's already successful agency into something none of us could have imagined. He not only obtained his CPCU designation, but taught courses as well. He became very involved in IIANJ and IIABA, serving as both president/chairman on each. He's testified before Congress and now serves a more prominent role as an expert witness representing both companies and agents alike. His role never ends, and it will be incredibly hard for my brother Mark and I to ever match. That said, Mark started our Alexandria, Va., branch at the request of our dad. It took a lot of courage and commitment to start a new life and branch 4 hours away from everything he knew. Both my father and brother have given me great role models on which to base my insurance career.   What skills will young agents need in 2012? As the economy still struggles, more people are looking for less available jobs. Become the absolute best candidate, ensuring you will be the best choice for that agency/company. Intern with an agency. Learn as much about coverage analysis as possible. Complete an insurance designation such as AAI or CPCU. For college graduates, flood your resume with extracurricular activities.