Joe Wegman

Joe Wegman

Executive Vice President

AW Welt Ambrisco Insurance

Iowa City

What was the last book you read?

Currently I am reading “Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues.” I appreciate his approach to journalism.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Locally we often go to Galena, Ill., and the Eagle Ridge Territory. Great restaurants, great outdoor activities no matter the season.

What do you always have close at hand at your desk?

Our office is “paperless” so I am totally dependent on my computer to access our management system, client files, email and online risk management tools.

How did you happen to come to live and work in Eastern Iowa?

I was born in Anamosa and came to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa. I moved away after graduation, and after a few years my wife, Dawn, and I quit our jobs and moved back to Iowa City because we love living here.

Did you have a job while you were in school?

I worked at U of Iowa Psychiatric Hospital on the Iowa 500 research project, which was an initiative to interview the immediate family members of patients who received treatment during the '30s and '40s.

What's the best day of the week to be in a meeting? What's the best time of day?

Our one set meeting each week is early Monday morning. Gets the week going.

Did you have mentor? Who was it?

Earl Phillips recruited me to this industry in 1983. Earl was and is enthusiastic every day and had total belief in helping people and putting the client first.

His favorite sayings was, “Light yourself on fire and people will come from miles around to watch you burn.”

Also Don Flack and Carlton Johnson, who in 1992 asked me to join their firm, which is where I am today.