When did you begin working at Farm Bureau?

I started working for Farm Bureau 18 years ago - January 1st, 2006.

 

Tell us a little about your life / career before Farm Bureau.

I was Born in Caldwell Idaho, raised on my parents’ fat cattle feed lot in Roswell, Idaho. I graduated from Parma High School a solid C student. I was really good at working for my dad, playing sports, chasing girls, hunting and fishing.

 

In 1970, one month after graduating from high school at the age of 17, I reported for boot camp in San Diego, California. I had joined the Navy on the delayed entry program three months earlier. After boot camp, the Navy decided I would be an equipment operator in the Navy Seabees for the next four years.

 

The Vietnam War was raging, but by the grace of God I didn’t have to go there. However, I did fly over that country traveling to and from the island of Diego Garcia 1,200 miles south of India in the Indian Ocean. I spent eight months on this deserted island living in a plywood and screen hutch, working as an equipment operator on what became an B52 bomber air base for the Middle East.

 

My second deployment was to Guam for two months running equipment and watching B52 bombers in groups of three leave loaded with bombs for Vietnam. Sometimes not all three would return and sometimes they would be leaving a trail of smoke on their return.

 

Then I was off to Subic Bay in the Philippines for six months. This is where I was when the Vietnam War ended in March, 1973, and all troops left Vietnam.

 

Shortly after that, the entire 5th fleet was in Subic Bay - the only time it had been in one place since Pearl Harbor. That was an experience and sight I will always remember.

 

My last deployment was to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to operate a crane driving piling for a pier repair.

 

After being discharged from the Navy in June of 1974, I went back home to Parma and worked operating equipment for a local contractor.

 

In the spring of 1975, I went to Wyoming and worked in a start-up uranium mine for United Nuclear Corp. on the Mortan Ranch. I spent five years there. I started as an equipment operator and after a couple of years became the first shift foreman for the mine. This was a huge challenge at 25-years-old, being the foreman over $10 million of equipment and 12 employees (most of them way older than me). I just didn’t like being away from my home (the Treasure Valley), so we moved back in the spring of 1980.

 

I worked for various construction companies, usually being laid off in the winter for the next 11 years. I spent most winters trapping. However, one of the first winters was very memorable when I spent it working for Harry Bettis on his ranch north of Emmett, Idaho. There I spent a lot of time with Harry, drove a team of horses, fed 10,000 bales of hay, and shoveled one ton of grain out of a truck into a feed box on the wagon and back out into feed bunks daily.

 

Working for a construction company not only meant winter layoffs but also traveling out of the area. In 1991, I went to work for the Ada County Highway District where I became a Crew Chief which lasted 14 years just prior to coming to Farm Bureau.

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What were some highlights about working for Farm Bureau?

I have always been very adventurous and up for challenges. As a 52-year-old construction worker that couldn’t type or spell (still not very well) and had very limited reading and comprehension skills, it wasn’t easy to get the job. Darin Pfost referred me, Dave Hart hired me, and Wayne and Linda Thiel did so much to help me in my early years.

 

Hard work, honesty, determination, and having great relationships has paid off. I was Rookie of the Year my first year. In 2019, Lynn and I went on the All American trip to Kauai, and in April of 2022, Chuck McDaniel made me a great exit offer. 

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Any other memorable events come to mind about your Farm Bureau career?

My first years here at farm Bureau I witnessed two things that really impressed me. There was a prayer before every meeting or event, and they gave away a lot of guns. I told people I worked for the company of guns and God and thought this will be great.

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Tell us a little bit about your family.

Lynn and I met at a restaurant in Caldwell, Idaho (arranged by a mutual friend), 49 years ago and were married 14 months later on February 25, 1976, in Casper, Wyoming. My stepson, Aaron, lives in California and our two daughters, Amanda and Andrea, live near us. I have the great pleasure of working with Amanda, her husband Jason, Andrea and Lynn every day. This has been such a blessing to me.

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have done a lot of things outside of work. Hunting, trapping, fishing,
whitewater rafting (I guided on the Payette River for two years), whitewater power boating and backcountry snowmobiling. Today (and for the past seven years) I have been training dogs for retriever hunt tests, field trials, and waterfowl hunting.

 

What are your retirement plans?

For now, much of the same - dogs, waterfowl hunting, and traveling. 

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Anything else you'd like to add?

This has been a great 18 years. Thank you Farm Bureau for taking a chance on a 52-year-old construction worker.

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NOTES FROM GILBERT'S COWORKERS

I’ve always appreciated Gilbert's down to earth personality. I had a lot of questions when I started, and he was always there to share sound advice when asked. And I knew I could count on a straight, honest answer.
Even if he didn’t have one.
 

And though he didn’t always agree with the way things might be done, his even-keeled demeaner was a great example of how to deal with it and was appreciated.

 

Wishing you the best in your retirement Gilbert!

-Kerry Baxter, Agent, Meridian

 

Gilbert exemplifies the true spirt of professionalism and customer service that sets our company apart. His dedication to his clients, combined with his ability to understand and address their needs, has been the basis of his success.

 

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, we hope you take the time to reflect on the remarkable career you’ve had and the positive impact you’ve made.

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Wishing you all the best in your retirement. 
-Chuck McDaniel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

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