A ‘one life’ career
Salem has always been home for Ryan Gelbrich. He grew up in the mid-Willamette Valley, originally on staff with Young Life South Salem for four years.
His mentor through Young Life, Jim Kuhlman, introduced him to the idea of becoming a State Farm Agent. Gelbrich spent time working as a team member for Kuhlman’s office in Corvallis, and after a few years of working there, moved to Arizona with his wife to work as a team member.
When Gelbrich decided to branch out and become his own agency, he was assigned to Salem and Keizer. He opened his business in downtown Salem in January 2016, taking over a retiring agent’s book of Salem clients.
“When I left Young Life, I what was really appealing to me was that I would have a career I was going to have one life. Where business, personal ministry, everything was the same – wherever you went, it was all one life.”
Salem is home
When it was time for Gelbrich to renew his lease and there was an opening in West Salem where he and his family already lived, he took the opportunity. He’s engaged in participating and supporting different sporting programs at West Salem high school. He also works with a group of sixth graders currently through Young Life.
Gelbrich is an Isaac’s Room board since 2014, and spent time on the SKEF board during the time of transition and reinvention of that organization.
“You just lean in and help people, and they help you, and it goes round and around.”
Salem has been home, and in the time he’s lived away he’s always felt called home. Gelbrich said, “There’s challenges facing the city that are worth figuring out and getting involved in. It’s worth the time, energy and resources to continue to make our city that kind of community. I believe it still is, and it will continue to be, and will be worth all the investment that happens between here and there.”
Want to learn more?
Visit Gelbrich’s office at 1594 Edgewater St NW Suite 170 Salem, OR 97304 or read his webpage online.