To kick off the new year, Esser Hayes Insurance Group celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its merger between Howard A. Esser Insurance and R.L. Hayes & Associates. During its “2013 State of the Agency” meeting with the entire staff on Jan. 23, the independently-owned insurance agency looked back to 1941 when a young entrepreneur named Howard Esser, Sr., first opened the doors of a new agency in Naperville.
According to President Bill Hayes, the first of January 2013 also marked the milestone when Bill Edson transferred his ownership of Esser Hayes back to the agency. Edson has been with the firm for more than 40 years and has been an owner since 1975. He finished 2012 as the agency’s third largest producer.
“Bill has agreed to continue to work his accounts and write new business for the agency as he enters his 42nd year for Esser Hayes,” said Bill Hayes. “Bill owned as much as 50 percent of the agency at one time and was the president and leader of the agency during our growth of in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s.’
Hayes added that under Edson’s watch, the firm recruited many successful producers and staff, acquired Frazier and Evans, merged Esser and Hayes while always producing a large book of business.
“Bill promised me the second half of his career will be as successful as his first half. We’ll evaluate the results when he celebrates his 80th anniversary with the firm,” joked Bill Hayes.
In addition, Bill Hayes announced that Greg Hess has joined the partnership of Esser Hayes as of January 1. Hess was recruited out of HRH six years ago with the goal of building a solid book of business and developing the leadership skills necessary to help the agency grow for years to come.
“During those six years, Greg led the agency in new business written, met his goals for book of business growth and has shown exemplary patience and perseverance in sales during one of the more tumultuous times in the agency’s history,” noted Hayes, referencing the Great Recession and the many challenges that have accompanied it.
“Greg is a wonderful addition to our leadership team and we welcome his energy, ideas and vision to the partnership.”
Hayes also expressed appreciation to all past agency owners who have paved the road for the promising future of Esser Hayes. One by one, Hayes named Howard Esser, Howard Esser Jr., Bob Esser, Raymond Hayes, Jack Harmon, Bill Esser, Tony Guptaitis and now, Bill Edson.
“Since 1941, every change has come with a peaceful transition of power and security for our independently-owned company,” said Bill Hayes during the general meeting held in a spacious multi-purpose room big enough for all 52 employees.
The end of the meeting also set sights on a new beginning for the meeting room. As employees watched, Bill Hayes and Howard Weiss, Executive Vice President of Commercial Lines, invited Bill Edson to cut a special ribbon. Then their recognition of Edson’s past ownership became official. Going forward, the meeting room will be known as “The Edson Center.”
The Esser Hayes Insurance Group represents the industry’s highest-rated insurance carriers, with unmatched expertise in customizing insurance solutions from business and personal lines to health plans and estate-planning tools.
For more information, call (630) 355-2077 or visit www.esserhayes.com.
Esser Hayes is located at 1811 High Grove, Suite 139, in Naperville.
