by Bob Kennemer
WALSENBURG — Perhaps a better headline would have been, “Hometown boy makes good!” Although David Tesitor’s story has many classic elements, that headline wouldn’t really do David Tesitor’s story justice. But it is true that he married his highschool sweetheart, the former Mary Jo Micek.
Tesitor was born and raised in Walsenburg and graduated from Walsenburg High School. The couple went on to Boulder, Colorado where he majored in Finance and Marketing, while Mary Jo studied Environmental Biology, both at the University of Colorado. After graduating, Tesitor and his bride moved to Denver, where they would spend the next 18 years.
To get his start, in 1980, Tesitor joined an insurance agency, where he would work for two and half years before going independent, naming his new venture David A. Tesitor Company, or DATCO.
In 1998, when Mary Jo’s father passed away, the couple returned to Huerfano. “We decided to buy the family homestead,” said Tesitor. The couple would go on to have and raise three children, Nathaniel, Hannah, and Maria.
Tesitor went on to operate DATCO in Walsenburg for the past 25 years. His offices now occupy a building he bought at 125 East 5th Street.
Serving the demographic
One thing that has stayed constant for Tesitor’s business is the age and demographics of his clientele. Huerfano County is home to a mostly older age demographic. With that, Tesitor has become a specialist in dealing with the financial and insurance needs of seniors. Noting he has over 550 clients in the Medicare arena, he stated, “I’ve been able to capture most of the senior market during open enrollment, due to various changes. There are now 25 different plans between the four insurance companies offering plans in our area” He added that the industry has changed a lot in the last 25 years and even more so in recent years. The Affordable Care Act brought a lot of those changes.
Tesitor explained that to stay abreast of these changes he has to take a lot of classes, as well as tests, to keep his various certifications. “I have to take 60 hours of tests this year,” he stated. Tesitor also has to study and test for his other services in annuities, plus other kinds of financial and insurance products.
Tesitor makes it clear that he does not sell homeowners, or business, or auto insurance. His focus is more on financial planning, long term care plans, annuities, and health insurance. However, he stresses that he is also there for younger clients as well.
Yes, Tesitor is well aware that younger people are moving into the area and he serves them, too. He noted, “Everyone needs health insurance, retirement planning, and investment knowledge.” Tesitor said that it is never too late to start planning for retirement, but one should start early, when they are young. This is because people are now living longer. He added that many people are now living well into their 90s and even the triple digits. “You don’t want to run out of money before you die,” said Tesitor.
Looking ahead
Tesitor is at an age where he, too, is thinking about retirement. “I still really like what I do. My administrative assistant, Virgilia Goodwin, has been with me for almost 12 years and she keeps me on track and honest,” he said with a smile. He adds, maybe in about five years or so, he would sell most of the business but keep the annuity side.
Yet, Tesitor has several retirement projects in mind. Tesitor explained, “Mary Jo and I would like to buy an RV and become ‘Polka Gypsies’, and travel around the US.” He then stated, “I am also an unpublished author of nine books of fiction.” He is working on getting two of those titles published. He even has a trilogy planned. He also loves to cook gourmet meals. He is already deep into a project restoring a 120 year old stone barn on his land, after the wind blew off the roof. “‘I’m milling the lumber from trees on our land,” he added.
Again, Tesitor still loves what he does. “I’ve enjoyed the last 25 years in Walsenburg. It is still a wonderful community.”
Tesitor can be reached via email at: datcoinsurance@gmail.com or check out his website, www.davidtesitor.com
