Michael Bookout is in his fifth year as a New York Life agent; however, he, his wife, Laura, their 3-year-old son Nathanael and 6-year-old daughter Brandy are only in their seventh month as residents of Alaska.
In addition to being the newest insurance agent in the area, Bookout is the sole New York Life agent on the Kenai Peninsula.
"I don't sell life insurance," Bookout said. "I take people through a process to help them meet their financial goals and objectives."
In addition to life insurance, New York life offers health, disabilty and long-term care insurance, as well as investment products, Bookout said.
The Bookouts moved to the peninsula last June from Fort Collins, Colo. Part of the attraction was the peninsula's reputation for great hunting and fishing.
"We did some research on the Web and found out that the peninsula is the place to be in Alaska," " said Bookout.
But the hunting and fishing weren't the only draw.
Michael Bookout's wife, Laura Bookout, called the peninsula, "one of the few places you can go back in time and raise your kids in a good environment."
The Bookouts have made one unexpected adjustment since moving to the peninsula. Mom has changed her name.
Laura Bookout has always answered simply to Laura; now she answers to L. B. Since there was already a Laura working at First American Title in Kenai, where she took a job as an escrow officer, her co-workers dubbed her L.B. to avoid confusion.
"Most of the people I know, I've met through business, so everyone knows me as L.B.," said Laura Bookout.
In addition to being the local agent for New York Life, Michael Bookout is a member of several local organizations, including the Soldotna Rotary Club, Kenai Peninsula Builders Association and Soldatna Bible Chapel.
His office is located in the U-Haul building next to Five Star Realty, Soldotna.
For more information, call 260-6562.
