Alumni Spotlight: Rand Harbert

Rand Harbert pictured with his wife, Kelly.

Over the past 109 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world. Join us as we highlight their Webster stories.

Meet Rand Harbert, who earned a Master of Business Administration in 1988 and retired from State Farm Insurance in 2022.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

Flexibility and focus. I worked full time, and the evening MBA program worked with my schedule.

I knew several of the professors and loved their focus on practical application.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

I enjoyed the balance that was afforded in the MBA program. While working on the MBA core curriculum, my emphasis area, which was marketing, was woven throughout my coursework. This was important for me as I had a non-business undergraduate degree.

I had two professors who helped shape the way I think about things to this very day: Dr. Charles Ramsey and Ed Rhulman.

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career, professional goals, etc.?

My Webster MBA provided me with a set of skills that I was able to lean on in every successive role I took on. After graduation from Webster, I was in 15 different roles throughout my career, 11 of which were with the company I spent over 31 years with. I was blessed to finish the program in my mid-twenties and always felt that finishing my degree early in my career allowed me to implement my learnings throughout my working life.

What is your favorite spot on your Webster campus? Favorite spot around the University?

What is now Sverdrup Hall was the new school of business when I was in attendance. I remember being at the grand opening and enjoying being one of the first students to utilize the new space.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster University for their degree?

If you are at a place in life where you think additional education will further your opportunities, you are probably right. Webster University provided me with the exact experience I needed at the exact right time in my life. It proved to be a game changer for me, and I am confident it will be for you as well.

What was your favorite part about your job?

I always had a passion for both sales and marketing. I started my career in sales and ultimately worked in brand management for multiple package goods companies. When I joined State Farm in 1992, I quickly realized that both skills were highly valued and important to the organization's success. I was fortunate that at State Farm, the sales and marketing roles were combined under the leadership of a chief sales and marketing officer. I was blessed to ascend to this job in 2012 and was in the role for 11 years. On a daily basis, I was deeply involved with both disciplines and felt like I had the best job on the planet.

Rand Harbert addresses all State Farm agents at the National Agency Convention.

What's something valuable you've learned during your career?

You must love and have deep passion for what you do and believe, to your core, in the mission of your organization. For me, State Farm was about helping people when they needed help the most and that was a mission I bought into 100%. Once I joined the organization, I knew I had found a place that would hold me for my entire career.

Where did you go grow up? Where do you live now? What has your life journey looked like?

I grew up in Carrollton, Missouri. In retirement, we spend our summers at the Lake of the Ozarks and live in the Texas Hill Country during the winter months. Along the way, my career took us to 13 different cities across the United States.

What was your very first job, and what do you remember most about it?

In the small rural community where I grew up, to earn spending money, I started walking bean fields to remove weeds when I was 10 years old. I hated the job and remembered thinking to myself that I had to go to college so I wouldn't have to do this for the rest of my life!

How do you spend your free time?

We love to travel, golf and enjoy all things lake oriented. In addition, I play in a rock-n-roll band that raises money for children's charities.

Is there anything else you want to share with us?

I have been married to my wife, Kelly, for 38 years. We are blessed to have three adult children, a son-in-law and two beautiful grandchildren.