Making Communities Stronger through Insurance & Risk Management: Spotlight on Carlos Torrez

"Good risk management isn't just about preventing loss—it's about building stronger, more resilient communities. When we protect what matters, we empower our clients to focus on growth and making a real impact." - Carlos Torrez

For more than a decade, Carlos Torrez has brought a community-forward approach to Poms & Associates’ clients across New Mexico. Specializing in insurance and risk management for municipalities, schools, construction and artisan trades, and nonprofits, he is trusted for his ability to understand and meet the unique needs of each client. 

Carlos' journey into the insurance industry started with a successful career in real estate. As a real estate broker, he developed strong skills in client management, negotiation, and market analysis.

"Whether the client was a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate investor, I really listened to my clients from the start—understanding their goals and creating specific strategies that work for them," Carlos said. "That same approach is what I bring to Poms, where as a company and as individuals, we focus on providing personalized service. In knowing our customers and what matters most to them, we are able to provide so much more than insurance.” 

In 2014, Carlos joined Poms & Associates, bringing with him the consultative and collaborative approach that emphasizes value-added services and risk management more than simply quote-shopping for coverage. “A good risk management strategy actually reduces insurance costs over time,” he shared.

Carlos' expertise has been particularly valuable in his work with municipalities and nonprofits. “These organizations are often at the heart of entire communities,” he said. “When so many people depend on you, your business insurance needs to be there when and where it counts.”

To ensure that municipal and nonprofit clients have what they need to mitigate risk in 2024 and beyond, Poms offers numerous services and trainings, including audits, webinars, and on-site assessments—all aimed at addressing HR issues, litigation avoidance, and safety. These services are provided at no additional cost to clients, adding significant value and helping them manage risks effectively.

“We are in a hard insurance market which means finding value for the client where possible is essential,” Carlos explained. “Our extensive loss control solutions allow us to custom tailor risk management strategies to the specific needs of our clients at no added cost. Coupled with the outstanding coverages our carrier partners offer, we are very confident in what we deliver for our customers across New Mexico.”

Carlos noted that Poms & Associates has more than earned its reputation as a trusted partner for municipalities and nonprofits. Poms goes a step beyond traditional insurance practices, focusing on proactive risk management and long-term strategies to reduce costs and improve outcomes for clients. 

Poms is renowned for its collaborative approach to managing entire accounts across all lines of coverage. Unlike some brokers who separate commercial solutions from employee benefits, the teams at Poms work in unison, partnering closely with clients to deliver comprehensive and integrated solutions.

Leveraging Poms’ capabilities, Carlos has consistently provided innovative solutions to a diverse array of clients. Recently, he assisted a coalition of nonprofits in New Mexico with updating their workplace safety policies and procedures. Additionally, he generated significant savings for a security company by reallocating payroll and class codes within their insurance policies, demonstrating his expertise in delivering customized strategies that drive client success. In another instance, Carlos added substantial value to a county in New Mexico by enhancing their property and casualty insurance program. By involving the appropriate employee benefits team members, he enabled Poms to deliver high-level supervisory training, further strengthening the client’s overall coverage and operational efficiency.

“In this industry, it’s not just about quoting prices. It’s about delivering value through comprehensive risk management solutions,” Carlos noted.

With the rise of social media and the post-COVID digital era, risk management has become more complex. Poms understands that online behavior can have significant implications, particularly for municipalities and school districts.

“Social media has changed everything. Incidents or accidents often have digital components,” said Carlos. “Supervisors need to understand the implications of online activity, and we emphasize this in our training. For example, an employee's online behavior can sometimes correlate with claims, which is something we monitor closely.”

Carlos’ peers at Poms admire his above-and-beyond dedication to his clients. As Carlos continues to expand his influence within the industry, his dedication to making a positive impact will undoubtedly lead to even greater successes for the many communities who count on Poms.