NEW ORLEANS — On Thursday, WWL Louisiana shines a spotlight on a man, who for 50 years has shown up to the same job every day – no complaints.
Lionel "Beaver" Smith turns 90 next week and shows no signs of slowing down. He says having a chance to be celebrated by his coworkers gives him a lift.
"To see them come out and share with you this distinction makes you feel real good," Smith told WWL.
The staff at New York Life's branch in New Orleans gathered to celebrate Lionel Smith's birthday – and his 50th work anniversary.
His children joined him as the staff awarded him with a plaque for his half-century of service.
Smith joined New York Life in 1974 after his wife passed away and his previous employer folded. He was skeptical at the time as he says insurance wasn't the best to Black communities back then. Smith says a lot has changed in the industry, but one thing remains certain – strong financial planning begins now.
"They have to look at where they are right now and age, (34) their age, where they are, and where they want to go in let's say the next ten or 20 years," explained Smith. "You can't plan 30 years. You got to plan every five or 10 years, so to kinda like gradually get to where you want to go."
New York Life managing partner Michael Hardin praised Smith's professionalism and tenure.
"It's not that he's been here a long time, it's what he's done in those fifty years that's really magnificent," said Hardin. "The work that he's done. The clients that he's held. The people's lives that he's had a positive impact on."
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.