South County Profile: Sheri Ritchie

SHERI RITCHIE

Sheri Ritchie began working part time in the insurance industry while attending Los Altos Junior College.

She was studying geology and art at the time and working for Lee Aldinger Insurance in Palo Alto. When one of the full time employees left the firm, the owner asked Ritchie if she would like to work full-time for the company. She remained with the company for six years. After leaving Lee Aldinger Insurance, Ritchie spent many years working for some of the world's largest insurance brokerage houses.

Ritchie moved to Anderson in 2003 to be able to enjoy a slower pace of life and to be able to live longer.

She and co-owner Victor Vieira opened Ritchie & Rose Insurance Services in 2006, bringing with them to the North State a wealth of knowledge of the insurance industry and how it works.

Ritchie is constantly researching new policies and specializes in contractors, wrap-ups, commercial buildings, apartment buildings, farms and ranches. She is currently adding coverage for horses and other animals to her long list of specialties.

Ritchie & Rose is planning to expand into Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico.

Ritchie enjoys working in the insurance industry because the market is always changing each day and there is always something new to learn. She also enjoys making her business green by sending out policies and billing electronically to save resources.

Ritchie has also designed a Web site so that insurance applications can be filled out online and brought in to the office.

When Ritchie was younger, she was involved in rodeo and competed in barrel racing and cutting. Her best friend lived on a horse ranch and they spent time on horseback every day after school and on the weekends.

In her spare time, Ritchie enjoys spending time golfing, drawing with colored pencils, gardening, reading and spending time weaving on a floor loom. She also raises Angora goats.

To Ritchie, the uniqueness of Ritchie and Rose Insurance Services is that it is a place that you can come in and take care of your insurance needs, or just to come in to visit and still feel comfortable.

Ritchie enjoys each and every day of her job and likes meeting new people in the community. Ritchie is a 1971 graduate of Murrah High School, in Jackson, Miss.

Name: Sheri Ritchie.

Born where and when: Fresno, 1952.

Occupation: Insurance Broker, co-owner of Ritchie & Rose Insurance Services, Inc.

Marital Status: In a relationship.

Family: Victor Vieira.

Pets: Five dogs, five cats, one Macaw, one miniature horse, two llamas and 25 Angora goats.

My worst job: Working in a drapery factory in Monterey.

In my spare time I: Garden, spin angora, weave on my floor looms, and do color pencil artwork.

My favorite book: Sony Reader. It holds all my favorite books.

My favorite recording artist: Mariah Carey.

My favorite movie: Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood.

My dream car: A Suma car or a Nano car, but a stretch limo with a driver would do, too.

My friends like me because: I listen to them.

If stranded on a deserted island I would want: A laptop computer with Web access, paper and colored pencils.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Anyone can do what they set their mind to do.

The best advice my parents gave me: Beauty is only skin deep; knowledge is forever.

My most embarrassing moment: Turning red from embarrassment with a green dress.

My most irrational act: Trading my show quality 1965 Buick Riviera for a 1986 Hyundai.

My most valued material possession: My colored pencils and B2, our business mascot.

What I like best about the North State: The peace and quiet.

My hero is: Hillary Clinton.

My pet peeve is: People talking over me and not listening.

My fantasy is: Being a super lottery recipient.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Move my birth date forward about 30 years.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More walking paths and bicycle paths to promote healthy people.

What should people be most worried about? The environment in which we live.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Learning something new each and every day.