Category: news-article

TWFG’s Gordy Bunch Launches Reelection Campaign

The Woodlands, TX, Sept. 26, 2014 – Richard “Gordy” Bunch, founder, president, and CEO of TWFG Insurance Services, and a current officer on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, kicked off his campaign for reelection to the board with a breakfast event here attended by 100 community leaders and supporters.

Although he is running unopposed, Bunch stated that he is actively campaigning for two reasons. Primarily, he wants to call attention to the broader race which involves four of the seven positions on The Woodlands Township board. “Our Township election is included in the November General Election process. Voters will need to specifically designate their Township choices in addition to their votes for state and county offices, judges, constitutional propositions, and other municipalities. We are down at the bottom of the ballot. I want to be sure that the 63,490 registered voters in the Township are fully informed and to ensure they exercise their right to vote for their community representatives.”

Bunch said he also views this as an opportunity to present his record of performance on the board during his first term. He told the full house at his kickoff event that his reelection can be based on simple “A, B, and C’s” – his Township Achievements, Business generated as chairman of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, and his Community contributions.”  Among his board highlights, he listed three consecutive years of tax cuts, reduction of $14.5 million in public debt and the commensurate $5 million in interest savings, as well as more than a million dollars budgeted for enhanced law enforcement. The CVB is reporting more than $30 million in sales tax revenues and almost $5 million of hotel tax revenue at mid-year. His position paper also points out that he was selected as a Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Standing out in a long list of community contributions, Bunch and his nationally-ranked TWFG insurance services company are listed as title sponsors for the Gran Fondo bicycle race benefitting Multiple Sclerosis and the Houston Medical Center Symphony Orchestra, the Muddy Trails Bash for Kids, and the IronMan competition in which he is also a participant.

For further media information:

Gordy Bunch   713-416-0789   gordy@twfg.com

Paul Lazzaro 281-728-5704  plazzaro@comcast.net

Gordy Bunch Invited to Entrepreneur Summit

The Woodlands, TX, August 12, 2014 – Academy Award winner Ron Howard, NBA legend David Robinson, NFL superstar Emmitt Smith, Super Bowl coach Jimmy Johnson, Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville, Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, and TWFG president and CEO Gordy Bunch of The Woodlands, will all be attending the by-invitation-only EY Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, California this fall.

Chief Executive Officers and famous personalities from across the nation will convene to “hear fresh ideas, powerful insights, and strategies that work from those who are guiding and demonstrating strategies for success,” according to the exclusive invite from the EY Entrepreneur of the Year organizers sponsored by EY (formerly Ernst & Young). EY claims it will be the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America. Chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc., Randall Stephenson; Patricia Woertz, Chairman and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Company; Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson will all lead summit sessions, along with authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, coauthors of Freakonomics. 

When the forum convenes from November 12 through 16, 2014 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, attendees will hear experts discuss topics that include “Beating Cybercrime,” “Social Media,” “Chasing the Dream,” “A CEO’s Guide to Going Public,” “Unleash the Power of Introverts – Fully Engage Your Workforce,” and other sessions that will call upon additional personalities like Emmy Award winning broadcaster Greg Gumbel.

EY is inviting entrepreneurs like Gordy Bunch, who was named a finalist for Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the year in May 2014. He has grown The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) from an original investment of $10,000 in 2001 to a $337 million company in 2013 that is ranked in the top 30 of the nation’s 38,000 insurance agencies with more than 300 branches in 21 states and affiliates in 38 states serving 250,000 customers. The company operates with the slogan: “Our Policy is Caring.”

Special sessions will include “Family Businesses: Entrepreneurial Thinking Across Generations” and “Achieving Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability,” by Mark J. Bissell, Chairman and CEO of Bissell, Inc. The event will be topped off with the Annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards gala hosted by Seth Meyers, “Late Night” television host.

EY says they are inviting 2,000 of the country’s most prestigious high-growth, market-leading companies to “ignite their passion and vision for supercharging company growth while hearing fresh ideas from respected leaders on tackling tough challenges. The entrepreneurs will have opportunities to meet potential customers, investors, partners, acquisition targets and buyers while hearing inspiring success stories from game changing entrepreneurs.”

For further media information:

Gordy Bunch   713-416-0789  gordy@twfg.com

TWFG CEO Gordy Bunch Invited to Entrepreneur Summit

The Woodlands, TX, August 12, 2014 – Academy Award winner Ron Howard, NBA legend David Robinson, NFL superstar Emmitt Smith, Super Bowl coach Jimmy Johnson, Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville, Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, and TWFG president and CEO Gordy Bunch, will all be attending the by-invitation-only EY Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, California this fall.

Chief Executive Officers and famous personalities from across the nation will convene to “hear fresh ideas, powerful insights, and strategies that work from those who are guiding and demonstrating strategies for success,” according to the exclusive invite from the EY Entrepreneur of the Year organizers sponsored by EY (formerly Ernst & Young). EY claims it will be the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America. Chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc., Randall Stephenson; Patricia Woertz, Chairman and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Company; Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson will all lead summit sessions, along with authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, coauthors of Freakonomics. The forum will convene from November 12 through 16 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.

EY is inviting entrepreneurs like insurance executive Gordy Bunch, who was named a finalist for Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the year in May 2014. He has grown The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) from an original investment of $10,000 in 2001 to a $337 million company in 2013 that is ranked in the top 30 of the nation’s 38,000 insurance agencies with more than 300 branches in 21 states and affiliates in 38 states serving 250,000 customers. The company operates with the slogan: “Our Policy is Caring.”

EY says they are inviting 2,000 of the country’s most prestigious high-growth, market-leading companies to “ignite their passion and vision for supercharging company growth while hearing fresh ideas from respected leaders on tackling tough challenges. Entrepreneurs will have opportunities to meet potential customers, investors, partners, acquisition targets and buyers while hearing inspiring success stories from game changing entrepreneurs.”

For further media information:

Gordy Bunch   713-416-0789 / gordy@twfg.com

Texas Agents Take Top Honors in TWFG Awards

THE WOODLANDS, TX, July 8, 2014 – As The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) wrapped-up its annual convention here, Texas agents dominated the annual awards presented to branch offices and agents from across the network of more than 300 insurance agencies affiliated directly under the TWFG Insurance Services umbrella founded by Gordy Bunch, president and CEO.

Bunch distributed the following awards at the convention’s closing banquet and ceremonies here last week:

The Health Agent of the Year is Kathy Morrison of The Woodlands, TX.

Rookie of the Year honors went to Brandon Richey of Beaumont, TX.

Brian Johnson of Humble, TX took first place and Terry Cauthen of Port Arthur, TX took third place as Commercial Agents of the Year. 

Special recognition was also given to current members of the exclusive President’s Club special incentive program for top producers. They include Jenny Xu, Houston, TX;  Brian Johnson, Humble, TX; and Carlton Kon, Houston, TX.

The TWFG Million Dollar Club membership grew by 16 additional agents in 2013-2014 with the inclusion of Conrad Dale Ratliff, Humber, TX; Adrian Saman, Dallas, TX; Buffy M. Doiron, Port Arthur, TX; Bobbie Gail Torres, Corpus Christi, TX; Khan Insurance, Houston, TX; Chad Gunal, Houston, TX; Ann Moore, Huntsville, TX; Randall A. Costa, Missouri City, TX; J. R. Zamorano, Dallas, TX; Joseph R. Vu, Houston, TX; Nick Young, Carrollton, TX; and Rick and Jeanne Burridge, Dallas, TX. More than 40 existing President’s Club members were also in attendance and were recognized for their million-dollar production ranging from one to five consecutive years.

TWFG has grown to become the 30^th largest independent insurance agency in the nation and number one in Texas for Personal Lines insurance. TWFG’s 2013 premium sales exceeded $337 million dollars with coverage of 250,000 policy holders. Bunch launched TWFG in The Woodlands with $10,000 in 2001 and maintains its national headquarters here.

For further media information:

Judy Rush, jrush1@twfg.com, 281-466-1173

Paul Lazzaro, plazzaro@comcast.net, 281-728-5704

TWFG Honors Top 2014 Branches and Agents

THE WOODLANDS, TX, July 7, 2014 – As The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) wrapped-up its annual convention here, annual awards were presented to branch offices and agents from across the network of more than 300 insurance agencies affiliated directly under the TWFG Insurance Services umbrella founded by Gordy Bunch, president and CEO. Bunch distributed the following awards at the convention’s closing banquet and ceremonies last week:

Personal Lines Agent of the Year recognition went to Stephen Lovecchio of Mandeville, LA.; second and third place were awarded to Ricky Rogers and Anthony Voiron, respectively, both from Metairie, LA.

Life Agent of the Year is Debi Moore of Quincy, IL.

The Health Agent of the Year is Kathy Morrison of The Woodlands, TX.

Rookie of the Year honors went to Brandon Richey of Beaumont, TX

Several agents won Commercial Agent of the Year awards beginning with Brian Johnson of Humble, TX in first place, Stephen Lovecchio of Mandeville, LA in second Place, and Terry Cauthen of Port Arthur, TX in third.

Mark Bartlett of Fremont, CA was inducted into the President’s Club by Gordy Bunch. Special recognition was also given to current members of the special incentive program for top producers. President’s Club members include Tony Voiron, Metairie, LA; Brian Johnson, Humble, TX; Carlton Kon, Houston, TX; Jenny Xu, Houston, TX; Rick Rogers, Metairie, LA; Stephen Lovecchio, Mandeville, LA; and Kelly Lee, Lake Charles, LA.

The TWFG Million Dollar Club membership grew by 16 additional agents in 2013-2014 with the inclusion of Conrad Dale Ratliff, Humber, TX; Adrian Saman, Dallas, TX; Kerry Landry, Gretna, LA; Roger Larson, Walnut Creek, CA; Buffy M. Doiron, Port Arthur, TX; Noel Sanchez, San Mateo, CA; Vlada Denisova, Los Angeles, CA; Bobbie Gail Torres, Corpus Christi, TX; Khan Insurance, Houston, TX; Chad Gunal, Houston, TX; Ann Moore, Huntsville, TX; Randall A. Costa, Missouri City, TX; J. R. Zamorano, Dallas, TX; Joseph R. Vu, Houston, TX; Nick Young, Carrollton, TX; Rick and Jeanne Burridge, Dallas, TX. More than 40 existing President’s Club members were also in attendance and were recognized for their million-dollar production ranging from one to five consecutive years.

TWFG has grown to become the 30^th largest independent insurance agency in the nation and number one in Texas for Personal Lines insurance. TWFG’s 2013 premium sales exceeded $337 million dollars. Bunch launched TWFG in The Woodlands with $10,000 in 2001 and maintains its national headquarters here.

For further media information: Gordy Bunch, 713-416-0789, gordy@twfg.com

                                                    Paul Lazzaro, 281-728-5704 plazzaro@comcast.net

TWFG and Gordy Bunch Set for 2014 Peaks on Thursday

The Woodlands, TX, June 23, 2014 – More than 250 TWFG branch owners, agency staff, exhibitors, and other insurance professionals will convene at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel on Thursday, June 26, to begin their annual national convention. That same night, Gordy Bunch, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG), will need to figure out how to be in two places at the same time. The EY Entrepreneur of the Year recipients for the Gulf Coast will be announced that evening at a black tie event in downtown Houston at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Bunch is host of the TWFG convention which runs through Sunday and is also a finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year international business awards program.

Bunch, a Woodlands Township director who also serves as chairman of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, had announced TWFG’s convention booking back in September 2013, unaware that his company’s convention and the Entrepreneur awards would occur on the same date. “It’s a nice problem to have,” Gordy Bunch said. “My wife, Michelle, and I are looking forward to a very special day, evening, and weekend. We think it’s a ‘win-win’ situation to have two such prestigious events coinciding on the same date. We have figured out a timetable to greet our TWFG conventioneers gathering in The Woodlands from 20 states and also enjoying appetizers at the Entrepreneur of the Year banquet. I am honored just to be named a finalist for our part of the world.”

TWFG has grown to become the 30^th largest independent insurance agency in the nation and number one in Texas for Personal Lines insurance. TWFG’s 2013 premium sales exceeded $337 million dollars. Bunch launched TWFG in The Woodlands with $10,000 in 2001 and maintains its national headquarters here.

For further media information: Gordy Bunch, 713-416-0789, gordy@twfg.com

                                                    Paul Lazzaro, 281-728-5704 plazzaro@comcast.net

TWFG Growth as Big as Texas; Adds 10 Branches

The Woodlands, TX, June 11, 2014 – Texas-based The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) continues its dynamic growth with the addition of 10 more branch agencies in its home state of Texas, Richard “Gordy” Bunch, president and CEO announced today. With the newest additions to its national network, TWFG now operates with more than 200 branch offices in Texas along with its headquarters in The Woodlands, just north of Houston. Bunch founded the financial and insurance services company here in 2001 with just $10,000

Today, TWFG now provides insurance services through 309 branches in 21 states reporting more than $337 million in premiums. The company’s national coverage, which includes affiliated and wholesale agents, totals close to 3,300 agents in 30 states. Bunch said the TWFG headquarters office offers policies in 49 of the 50 states. He also announced that five new branches in California and one in Minnesota are joining the national roster.

TWFG, which is ranked number one in Texas Personal Lines coverages, adds these 10 additional branch operations in the Lone Star state:

Keith Tilghman, 1801 W. Morton, Denison, TX 75020

Michael Sanchez, 9009 N. Loop E, Suite 220, Houston, TX 77029

Mark Wilson, 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Robert Ortiz, 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Jim Woods, 182 Plaza, Suite 103, Onalaska, TX 77360

Ryan Guillory, 19747 U.S. Highway 59 North, Suite 323, Humble, TX 77338

Leon Ly, 10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 204, Dallas, TX 75231

Connie Andrews, 555 Republic Drive, Suite 306, Plano, TX 77074

Don Oh, 405 E. State Highway 121 Bypass, Suite A115, Lewisville, TX 75067

Jerell Dycus, 215 S. Denton Tap Road, Suite 200, Coppell, TX 75019

This week, Bunch also announced that TWFG will hold their annual convention in The Woodlands. More than 250 agents, exhibitors, and other specialists will attend at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel from June 26 through June 29.

For further Media Information:

Gordy Bunch / gordy@twfg.com / 713-416-0789

Paul Lazzaro / plazzaro@comcast.net / 281-728-5704

TWFG Continues Dynamic Growth; Adds 16 Branches

The Woodlands, TX, June 6, 2014 – The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) continues its dynamic growth with the addition of 16 more branch agencies, Gordy Bunch, president and CEO announced today. With new TWFG agents in Texas, California, and one in Minnesota, joining the national roster in 2014, TWFG now provides insurance services through 309 branches in 21 states. The company’s national coverage, which includes affiliated and wholesale agents, totals close to 3,300 agents in 30 states. Bunch said the TWFG headquarters office in The Woodlands, TX offers policies in 49 of the 50 states.

TWFG, which is ranked number one in Texas Personal Lines coverages, gains 10 more agent operations in the Lone Star state:

Keith Tilghman, Denison

Michael Sanchez, Houston,

Mark Wilson, The Woodlands

Robert Ortiz, The Woodlands

Jim Woods, Onalaska

Ryan Guillory, Humble

Leon Ly, Dallas

Connie Andrews, Plano

Don Oh, Lewisville

Jerell Dycus, Coppell

Five additional California agents and their locations are:

Kristin Johnson, Torrance

Erik Bol, El Dorado Hills

Ben Wong, Millbrae

Joseph Gabra, Camarillo

Vinyo Ketsavon, Sacramento

Aden Hussein, Saint Louis Park, Minnesota also joins the TWFG team.

This week, Bunch announced that TWFG will hold their annual convention in The Woodlands. More than 250 agents, exhibitors, and other specialists will attend at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel from June 26 through 29^th.

For further information:  Gordy Bunch / gordy@twfg.com / 713-416-0789

TWFG Bringing 250 Professionals to Woodlands Convention

The Woodlands, TX, June 3, 2014 – More than 250 branch owners, agency staff, exhibitors, and other insurance professionals will convene in The Woodlands from Thursday, June 26, through Sunday, June 29, according to Gordy Bunch, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG).

“I promised to bring our annual convention to TWFG’s headquarters home in The Woodlands and we are delivering on that promise,” he said.

The group will meet at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel for several days of meetings, breakout sessions, and exhibit hall displays. Bunch said, “A broad spectrum of topics from personal lines insurance, commercial insurance, life, health, training, and new proprietary TWFG software and programs will all be covered. Bunch, who also serves as chairman of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, said: ‘On the social side, we want them to experience the best of The Woodlands, so the agents will visit Creekside Park and celebrate at an awards banquet at the award-winning Marriott on Saturday night. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy the “Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry” concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. A pool party and BBQ event with golf could be an option for some,” Bunch said.

TWFG has grown to become the 30^th largest independent insurance agency in the nation and number one in Texas for Personal Lines insurance. With premium sales exceeding $337 million dollars last year, TWFG agents from more than 20 states, are also looking forward to award winners for “Branch of the Year,” “Rookie of the Year,” “Commercial Lines Agent of the Year,” “Personal Lines Agent of the Year,” “Life Agent of the Year,” “Health Agent of the Year,” and inductees into the President’s Club. Coincidentally, Gordy Bunch himself is a finalist for the EY Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the Year at an event that will also be staged on June 26.

For further media information: Gordy Bunch, 713-416-0789, gordy@twfg.com

TWFG’s Gordy Bunch Named EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” 2014 Finalist in Texas Gulf Coast Region

Houston, Texas, May 20, 2014 – EY has announced that Gordy Bunch, founder, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) is a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 Award in the Gulf Coast Region.  The awards program recognizes entrepreneurial leaders who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  Bunch was selected as a finalist from nearly 60 nominations by a panel of independent judges.  Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Thursday, June 26^th, 2014 at the Hilton Americas Hotel – Downtown Houston.

Bunch, who also serves as a Director of The Woodlands Township and Chairman of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, said: “I am honored by being chosen a Finalist from among so many outstanding business leaders in the Gulf Coast area. Building a business to the level that TWFG now enjoys as a national company takes total focus on every aspect of your business to succeed. Everyone at TWFG has been dedicated to achieving our success since I founded the company in 2001 with $10,000.  Today, at $337 million in premiums and with 318 offices in 20 states, I am thrilled that I can share this recognition with key members of my executive staff, our headquarters and field employee teams, and my wife, Michelle, who with our three boys, lifts my spirit and supports my work every single day.”

Now in its 28th year, the EOY program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world.  Regional Gulf Coast award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National program.  Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2014. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

For further Media Information re Gordy Bunch/TWFG:

Gordy Bunch 713-416-0789 – Gordy@twfg.com

Paul Lazzaro 281-728-5704 – plazzaro@comcast.net