Discover financial solutions that protect your future and provide peace of mind. Whether you're exploring annuities, life insurance, or understanding employee benefits through your workplace, Pacific Life offers resources and products designed to meet your personal and family goals.
Support your workforce with innovative employee benefits and retirement solutions. Pacific Life partners with business owners, benefits administrators, and pension fund managers to create customized programs that attract and retain top talent while securing their financial future.
Simplify complex retirement and pension risk management with our tailored solutions for large organizations. Pacific Life specializes in working with institutions to address their unique challenges, offering expertise in pension de-risking and strategic retirement planning for a more secure future.
Empower your clients with confidence by leveraging Pacific Life’s comprehensive portfolio of financial products. From annuities to life insurance, we provide the tools, resources, and support to help financial advisors and brokers deliver exceptional value and long-term results.
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Individuals
Discover financial solutions that protect your future and provide peace of mind. Whether you're exploring annuities, life insurance, or understanding employee benefits through your workplace, Pacific Life offers resources and products designed to meet your personal and family goals.
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Employers
Support your workforce with innovative employee benefits and retirement solutions. Pacific Life partners with business owners, benefits administrators, and pension fund managers to create customized programs that attract and retain top talent while securing their financial future.
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Institutions
Simplify complex retirement and pension risk management with our tailored solutions for large organizations. Pacific Life specializes in working with institutions to address their unique challenges, offering expertise in pension de-risking and strategic retirement planning for a more secure future.
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Financial Professionals & Brokers
Empower your clients with confidence by leveraging Pacific Life’s comprehensive portfolio of financial products. From annuities to life insurance, we provide the tools, resources, and support to help financial advisors and brokers deliver exceptional value and long-term results.
Explore the inspiring career journey of Ted Poler, Regional VP at Pacific Life. Learn how mentorship, persistence, and relationship-building fueled his rise from customer service to sales leadership in the insurance industry.
Meet Ted Poler, Regional VP for the Northern Midwest at Pacific Life. Ted’s career started in customer service, answering dozens of calls a day, and has taken him all the way to sales leadership. In this interview, Ted talks about the mentors who helped him along the way, the lessons he’s learned, and why building relationships is at the heart of his success. From his Omaha roots to his advice for anyone looking to grow their career, Ted’s story is all about persistence, teamwork, and making the most of every opportunity.
Where did your career at Pacific Life begin?
I started at Pacific Life in January 2018 in the Omaha office. My first role was in customer service answering 50 to 60 calls a day from producers and policy owners. It was a lot to learn at first, but it gave me a deep understanding of our products and how things work behind the scenes. That foundation has been invaluable, especially now that I work in sales. I think starting in service is a great first step for anyone at this company regardless of what you may want to do long-term.
What was your path from customer service to sales?
After about a year and a half, I moved to the long-term care sales desk supporting Premier Care. That role was nonstop—running illustrations, talking to producers, and helping them market the product. After a few months, I transitioned to an internal wholesaler (IW) role when an opening became available supporting Texas and Oklahoma for Life Insurance.
Who supported your growth along the way?
I have been fortunate to have some amazing mentors during my time at Pacific Life. Tim is the first that comes to mind when I started as an IW—he asked me on day one what I wanted to do next. He encouraged me to pursue my CLU designation to build credibility as a younger professional. Later, I worked with Noah, another fantastic mentor who I have learned so much from. Even now, as peers, I still talk to Noah almost daily. Our National Sales Manager, Evan, has also been extremely helpful in my development during this first year. He is always willing to lend his time and his advice which has helped me immensely as I have taken on this new role.
I’ve also had great support from April, Joe, and Derek as managers during my time on the sales desk in Omaha. They were always encouraging of my goals and to keep going for what I wanted. I also must mention Brandon as a great friend who has always been supportive of me. Brandon and I have taken a similar path from service to field sales and that has been a special experience for both of us.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Becoming a Regional VP this year was a major milestone in my career. I’d been vocal about my goals, completed the Sales Academy, and was honored as Sales Desk MVP in 2024. I was extremely excited to take the next step into the role of RVP, and when Evan and Chris gave me that opportunity earlier this year, I was over the moon to accept it. It felt like the culmination of everything I had worked for the last several years.
What does it take to succeed in your role?
It’s all about relationships. Whether in customer service or sales, success comes from showing up, being persistent, and treating people with respect. Integrity, kindness, and consistency matter. You only get one chance at a first impression, so you have to bring it every time.
What’s it like working in Omaha?
Omaha is home. I went to high school here, met my wife here, and we’re raising two daughters—a seven-year-old and a three-year-old. The Omaha office has been a great place to grow—collaborative, energetic, and family-friendly. Even though I’ve worked remotely since COVID, the energy and learning that come from being in the office are unmatched.
What advice would you give to others looking to grow their careers?
Be vocal about what you want. Raise your hand. There are people at every level who will support you, but you have to take that first step—even if it’s uncomfortable. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Sales Academy and speaking engagements pushed me, but they made me better. You’ll be supported if you speak up.