2009 Annual Report 2009 Annual Report : Page 16
Increasing Visibility: GrOwth full steaM ahead Continued froM Page 15 Midwest exPansion with grain dealers Mutual We continued to grow our Midwest presence by forming an affiliation with Indianapolis- based Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company that closed in November 2009. This will enable us to enter two new states in 2010 – Indiana and Mississippi – as well as to expand operations in our shared states North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Grain Dealers has a strong franchise and will maintain its 108-year-old brand name. Grain Dealers, founded in 1902, has a strong franchise and will maintain its brand name. A key component of the affiliation is Grain Dealers will pool its premium, losses and underwriting expenses with other Main Street America companies. Over time, Grain Dealers will gain access to our products, technology and infrastructure. We are providing management oversight to Grain Dealers. Charlie Mcgill, Main street america business development executive (left), meets with Jay byrnes, president of the byrnes agency in dayville, Conn. for the long haul babe ruth hit his 500th career home run, the first academy awards ceremony took place and JCPenney became a national retailer. the year was 1929 and despite the crash of financial markets worldwide, some lucrative business deals were still being made, including a new partnership between the Main street america group and our longest appointed agency that still represents us today. Jay byrnes, president of the byrnes agency in dayville, Conn., said since his grandfather founded the agency, much has changed about the way other carriers do business. however, one thing has remained constant with Main street america – our focus on maintaining strong relationships. “we are a long-standing agency with a long tradition,” Jay said. “and part of that tradition and success is because of our relationship with Main street america.” Charlie Mcgill, Main street america’s field marketing representative in Connecticut, has served as the byrnes agency’s company rep for more than 20 years. he agrees the 80-year partnership has remained solid because of our commitment to the independent insurance agent and our ability to work closely with our customers. “time and time again, customers reference the reason they do business with us is because of our people,” Charlie said. Jay added, “we’ve always had this relationship – it is multi-generational here, as well as multi-generational there. so it’s engrained upon us that Main street america has always been an important part of our agency.” 16
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