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TWFG Signs The Woodlands Westin Hotel’s First Convention Booking: Sets 2016 Conclave
THE WOODLANDS, TX, Oct. 14, 2015 – The new Westin Hotel The Woodlands has booked its first convention, but it did not have to look further than a mile away for its first client. Gordy Bunch, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG), announced today that he has booked the new luxury hotel for the company’s 2016 national convention.
More than 300 attendees, TWFG branch owners, staff, and major insurance industry representatives will arrive from 19 states for The Woodlands’ based company’s annual convention June 9 to 12, 2016. Bunch, who is also chairman of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a board member of The Woodlands Township, said he is proud to support the community by being the first to commit to a significant meeting that will utilize the Westin’s guest rooms, meeting space, catered dining, restaurants and lounges, workout studio, business center, and recreation facilities.
The Westin The Woodlands is under construction overlooking The Woodlands Waterway. It is within walking distance of The Woodlands Mall, which is where TWFG is headquartered, and a new pedestrian bridge crossing the waterway, offering access to Waterway Square and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The signature hotel features 302 rooms, 15,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor pool, 150-seat restaurant, lobby bar, and second-level pool deck. It is expected to be completed at the end of 2015.
TWFG has grown dramatically since Gordy Bunch founded the insurance and financial services company in The Woodlands with $10,000 in 2001. Today the company writes policies in 49 states and has 300 TWFG branches in 21 states plus several thousand affiliates in 38 states, serving 250,000 customers. Bunch was recently honored as EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Products and Services in the Gulf Coast region of the United States
HOTEL TOUR (l to r) Mike Speicher, General Manager of the new Westin Hotel; Alex Bunch, CMO of TWFG; Kelly Bettencourt, Executive Assistant; Gordy Bunch, President and CEO of TWFG; tour the new property under construction and commit to being the first convention clients for the luxury facility.
Photo – Gordy Bunch
For further media information:
Gordy Bunch, gordy@twfg.com;
713-416-0789
Paul Lazzaro, plazzaro@comcast.net;
281-728-5704
TWFG Celebrates Success with President’s Club Trip to NAPA
THE WOODLANDS, TX, Oct. 1, 2015 – Exceptional sales and service results will be rewarded with a trip to Napa, California for 16 TWFG branch managers from across the nation next week when Gordy Bunch, president and CEO, escorts them on a three-day luxury tour through world-famous vineyards. The outing will end with managers in a team wine-making competition as experts guide them through the process of blending, bottling, designing a label and then marketing their one-of-a-kind creation to the “ultimate critic.”
Tour activities will include visits and wine tastings at O’Brien Estate, Silver Oak, Inglenook, and Franciscan Estate Wineries, as well as dining and entertainment at top restaurants and clubs like Dean & Deluca and Crush Ultra Lounge. A President’s Club executive meeting will be held on the Oakville Terrace before the group’s closing dinner at Brix Restaurant and Gardens. Optional activities will be offered for spa treatments, golf, and shopping.
The TWFG President’s Club is reserved for the insurance services company’s top achievers who operate TWFG branches in Texas, Florida, California, Louisiana, and major cities in 22 states. They will be joined by headquarters staff from the company’s base here in The Woodlands, Texas to strengthen teamwork between the home-base and branches. Gordy and Michelle Bunch, COO Katherine Nolan and her husband Jamie, CMO Alex and wife Christy Bunch, and National Director of Branch Sales Judy Rush and her husband Jack, will escort the TWFG President’s Club group.
For further media information:
Gordy Bunch, gordy@twfg.com, 713-416-0789
Posted in news-articleGordy Bunch Keynote Speaker at National Insurance Conference
ATLANTA, GA. – Sept. 25, 2015 – Gordy Bunch is keynote speaker at today’s National African American Insurance Association conference here. Based on Bunch’s business success founding and building The Woodlands Financial Group, and as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, he was invited to address insurance industry executives, owners, and managers from throughout the United States. The conference theme is “Elevating Our Industry, Community, and Culture.”
Bunch says he will speak about critical success factors for achieving and remaining successful. He will share details of building TWFG from a $10,000 investment in 2001 to a multi-million dollar national insurance services company today. “I will cover the various challenges that arose over the years and will expound on what the future of the insurance industry will look like,” he said.
According to national executive director, Margaret N. Redd, the NAAIA base is made up of agency owners, property & casualty and financial services companies, senior leaders, functional managers, top executives, and staff personnel. The organization’s members share a common goal in that they are all pursuing careers in the insurance industry and are committed and passionate about being successful in that effort while helping others to be successful as well. The three-day conference ends today at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta.
For further media information:
Gordy Bunch, 713-416-0789, gordy@twfg.com
Posted in news-articleAlex Bunch Named Chief Marketing Officer of TWFG
The Woodlands, TX, Sept. 15, 2015 – Alexander Bunch, a senior international creative and brand director, has been named Chief Creative and Marketing Officer for The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG), it was announced today by Gordy Bunch, president and CEO. “Greater love hath no man than to apply his marketing genius for his brother,” Gordy Bunch said. He explained that he was excited and proud to be making this “long overdue announcement to bring Alex into TWFG to help build what will be the most trusted and respected insurance and financial service brand in the country.”
“Although Alex has been busy the past 20 years traveling the world of high-level creativity and marketing,” Bunch said, “we are now fulfilling a life-long dream of working together to build a truly exemplary and successful multi-faceted company. We are delighted he has agreed to relocate his extraordinary talents and family back here to our roots in Texas.”
Alex Bunch has managed complex multinational marketing programs for EF Education First and its 16 product companies from the west coast of the United States to the west coast of England and beyond. EF Education First is an international education company that specializes in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. His specialties include integrated immersive branding and emerging technologies, advertising and marketing solutions that solve business problems, reaching company objectives, and building successful and influential brands worldwide.
Alex launched his marketing career in 1996 at the award-winning Richards Group based in Dallas and has since contributed to the success of other nationally-branded clients and agencies. His career spans assignments with The Focus Agency-DDB and Slingshot LLC. In 2008, he was retained by The Martin Agency which has branches in Richmond, Virginia, New York City, and London. As Senior Vice President he created programs for major brand-name clients such as the Discover Card, GEICO, Hanes, ESPN, Miller Genuine Draft, Wal-Mart, and UPS. Most recently, Bunch was Executive Vice President, Global Creative Director and Brand Director of EF Education First in London before returning to the United States at the company’s offices in San Diego.
He assumes the marketing reins at TWFG during a time of exceptional national growth for the insurance and financial services company. TWFG was founded here by Gordy Bunch, with $10,000 in 2001. The company is currently in a period of rapid growth and diversification. It reported gross premiums of $337 million last year, ranking it in the Top 30 of 38,000 property and casualty insurance agencies in the USA and is first in Texas for personal lines insurance coverage. There are now more than 300 TWFG branch agencies in 21 states linked to more than 3,000 agencies nationally through agency management systems and other logistical support. Bunch plans to focus on growth from a base that will include exceptional customer service, easy access to internet information and education, plus assist in developing and branding new products and services under the TWFG umbrella.
The company is expected to increase its marketing efforts and budget exponentially according to the Bunch brothers. With “Our Policy is Caring” as our motto and attitude, Alex says he will help to greatly expand TWFG horizons. He will be instrumental in expanding TWFG’s national branding exposure and customer-oriented operating procedures. Gordy Bunch has already been recognized as a 2015 Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the Year for Products and Services. Alex has joined the company at its national headquarters in The Woodlands where its facilities are now undergoing physical expansion.
For further media information:
Paul Lazzaro 281-728-5704
Posted in news-articleTWFG Attracting “Captive Agents” with New Branch Agent Opportunities
THE WOODLANDS, TX, July 26 – TWFG, one of the top-rated independent insurance agencies in the nation, is currently offering an exclusive new branch agent program with “unprecedented benefits” for potential branch owners. With a commission split of 80/20 for “TWFG Full Service” branches, Gordy Bunch, the young entrepreneurial TWFG president and CEO, says he is out to prove “it’s time for a change.” Bunch said his experiences and TWFG branch managers tell him: “Captive agents endure lower commissions, lack of product choices, higher quotas, and non-competitive pricing.”
The Texas-based financial services firm has 285 branch offices in 16 states and several thousand agents already onboard with TWFG, selling in 49 states. A “Managing General Agent” Program and a “Referral Program” are also being offered. The General Agent gets a full appointment for personal lines insurance carriers and receives a 70/30 commission split on all business. The full appointment includes online rating and binding authority with most carriers, multiple personal line and commercial line products, an agency management system available at low cost, and comparative rates available at low cost.
Bunch believes that “captive” agents are not realizing the full rewards and benefits for their work as the backbones of the insurance industry. Even his Referral Program is offering a 50-50 commission split with no appointment required. Bunch’s philosophy stems from the fact that TWFG has grown from its founding in 2001 to 15th in the nation in Personal Lines by allowing independent agents to offer multiple carrier options at competitive rates. He emphasizes personal progress for agents without the pressure of quotas and adds a synergistic support team that utilizes the most advanced technology.
The company has also added an “Agent Opportunities” page to its web site www.twfg.com with additional information and a Webinar. Interested agents should contact Judy Rush, National Agency Relationship Director, for further information at 281-466-1173 or jrush1@twfg.com.
For further Media Information:
Gordy Bunch
713-416—0789 cl / 281-466-1123 Wk.
Posted in news-articleEY Gulf Coast Entrepreneur Of The Year® Gordy Bunch Invited to Compete for National Honors
THE WOODLANDS, TX July 11, 2015 – Richard “Gordy” Bunch, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Woodlands Financial Group was named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 for the Gulf Coast Area in June. Bunch was announced as winner in the Products and Services category at a gala event in downtown Houston. The Gulf Coast awards recognize the Entrepreneur Of The Year® for the geographic area covered by all of Houston, South Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. “Gordy,” as he is known both personally and professionally, has since been invited to take the next step in the search for National Entrepreneur Of The Year by providing an updated photo and in-depth information for an interactive video to be seen by the nation’s top corporate officers and multiple celebrities at the EY “Strategic Growth Forum,” in Palm Desert, CA this November.
Bunch grew up in College Station and attended A&M high school. He spent his teen years in College Station before joining the U.S. Coast guard at age 19. He then founded The Woodlands Financial Group in The Woodlands in 2001 with his life-savings of $10,000. Today, TWFG is ranked as the number eight independent insurance services agency, of the 38,000 in the nation, for property and casualty coverage and is number one in its home state of Texas for personal lines. TWFG reports $320 million in premiums, generated by more than 300 branches in 21 states with more than 3,000 additional agents affiliated with TWFG nationally. TWFG writes policies in 49 states from its headquarters in The Woodlands.
The 2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® gala season began with 14,000 CEO’s and executives gathering together in 25 cities around the country to celebrate entrepreneurship. As the Product and Services Entrepreneur Of The Year, Bunch and nine other category winners from the Gulf Coast region are eligible for national and world honors. Gulf Coast area Entrepreneur Of The Year awards were also recognized in the fields of Industrial & Construction Services, Energy Related Products, Transformation CEO, Health Care, Energy Services, Family Business Award, Energy, Business Services, and Technology.
For further media information:
Gordy Bunch 713-416-0789 / gordy@twfg.com
Paul Lazzaro, 281-728-5704 / plazzaro@comcast.net
Congratulations to our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
2015 Gulf Coast Area Winners
Products and Services
Richard “Gordy” Bunch
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
The Woodlands Financial Group
EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is considered the world’s most prestigious business award with a lifelong network of gravity-defying entrepreneurs. Each spring, the business community comes together to celebrate regional semifinalists, finalists and winners. These honorees not only create and build market-leading businesses, but also help take the standard of excellence to new heights, transform the face of industry, create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of communities.
We want to honor and recognize the men and women who create the products, services and jobs that help our economy and communities grow. We are excited about the many significant achievements of these incredible entrepreneurs, applauding them all for taking the road less traveled to launch new companies, open new markets and fuel job growth.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year national awards, which will be announced at a gala in Palm Springs, California, on November. 15, 2015. The Entrepreneur of the Year National Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Posted in news-articleProfile Richard “Gordy” Bunch III
How do you build an Entrepreneur Of The Year? Nurture him in the warm California sun? Plant his family roots in Texas, a land of uncommon opportunity? Teach him how to face adversity protecting our country in the United States Coast Guard? If this is the formula for success, it would help to explain Richard “Gordy” Bunch III and the remarkable achievements he is scoring in his business career and community service. Certainly, his background, experience, and commitment to do the right thing are the guiding force in his life and the key to building a unique and successful professional career.
In 2015, he was named the EY Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the Year for Products and Services. With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Bunch manages a rapidly-expanding national company as founder, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG). He says he learned while serving in the Coast Guard that the best leaders were those who empowered others to achieve great things. “We rise by lifting others.” The very foundation of TWFG has been built on this philosophy, and has been paramount to its culture and growth. “Put your ego and fears aside, and hire others that are stronger, smarter, more creative, more inspired and more innovative than you are. Trust them, and trust yourself, that in working together, anything is possible.”
His business acumen surfaced as a teenager when he became a manager of Little Caesars and then a McDonald’s restaurant in College Station, TX. At the onset of the first Gulf War, Gordy, age 19, drove with a friend to San Diego where they volunteered for active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. During his four years of service he was commended for helping to innovate purchasing and inventory systems for his Coast Guard unit’s supply methods.
In 2001, he launched TWFG, his insurance and financial services company in The Woodlands, TX, with $10,000 capital and an innovative business model that combines both wholesale and retail products to take advantage of new product opportunities to benefit both customers and agents. Today, TWFG is in the Top Ten of the nation’s 38,000 privately-held Property/Casualty agencies with more than $337 million in premium sales and ranks as the largest Personal Lines leader in Texas. More than 300-plus TWFG retail branches operate in 21 states while affiliations with 3,000 independent agents serve 38 states. The company writes policies in 49 U.S. states from its headquarters in The Woodlands. Driven by his personal pledge and promise, “Our Policy is Caring,” from TWFG into all business ventures, he is especially proud to have been honored as a national award winner by FEMA in the National Flood Insurance Program. His newest venture, The Woodlands Insurance Company (TWICO) is now in its launch phase as an insurance carrier and another leap of faith driving a journey to reach one billion dollars in sales for The Woodlands Financial Group of companies.
Bunch was elected to the board of directors of his local government in 2012 and re-elected unopposed in 2014. The Woodlands Township is a master-planned community of more than 110,000 people and 2,000 businesses, as well as a shopping and tourism mecca. He has been instrumental in consistently lowering taxes for residents, setting a rate that is one of the lowest in Montgomery County, Texas. His board elected him its Treasurer and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau board named him its Chairman in January, 2014.
Gordy and his wife, Michelle, have been residents of The Woodlands since 1995 where they are raising three young boys while sponsoring and participating in multiple community organizations. As an IronMan participant and sponsor, Gordy believes in physical fitness so TWFG sponsors the Gran Fondo bicycle race along with the Muddy Trails Bash for kids, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Susan G. Breast Cancer Foundation, Toys for Tots, Texas A&M University, Interfaith, The Women’s Center, the United Methodist Church of The Woodlands and multiple service organizations.
Posted in news-articleTWFG Top Producers Awarded at National Convention
THE WOODLANDS, TX, June 23, 2015 – With a double dose of inspiration reinforcing TWFG’s slogan and vision, 250 agents assembled here from The Woodlands Financial Group’s territories for their national convention last week. Gordy Bunch, founder, president, and CEO of the insurance and financial services company, challenged agents to reach new heights in both service and growth while recognizing top producers.
“Our Policy is Caring: Our Vision For The Future² was introduced at the convention kickoff featuring specific programs aimed at assisting delegates to improve professional skills from sales to service to systems, Bunch said. TWFG is now ranked as the number eight agency in the nation for property and casualty coverage and is number one in its home state of Texas for personal lines. TWFG reports $320 million in premiums, generated by more than 300 branches in 21 states with more than 3,000 additional agents affiliated with TWFG nationally. The insurance services company writes policies in 49 states from its headquarters in The Woodlands.
Outstanding agents spanning the nation were recognized during a banquet at The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel and Convention Center for their individual contributions to the company’s overall results.
Personal Lines Agents of the Year
West (Roger Larson, Walnut Creek CA)
East (Lisa Knight, Lafayette LA)
Texas (Brandon Richey, Beaumont TX)
Commercial Lines Agent of the Year
West (Mark Bartlett, Fremont CA)
East (Julio Manchego, Tampa FL)
Texas (Bobbie Gail Torres, Corpus Christi TX)
Health Agent of the Year (Kathy Morrison, The Woodlands TX)
Life Agent of the Year (Steven Wu, Milpitas, CA)
Rookie of the Year (Keith Tilghman, Denison TX)
The company’s top achievers were installed in the TWFG President’s Club. They are:
(In no particular order)
- Brian Johnson (Humble, TX)
- Buffy Doiron Hooper (Port Arthur, TX)
- Darren Monteith (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- Anthony Voiron (Metairie, LA)
- Carlton Kon (Sugar Land, TX)
- Betty Loick (The Woodlands, TX)
- Carlos Cantu (Dallas, TX)
- John Sparks (Huffman, TX)
- Bobby Counts (Beaumont, TX)
- Mark Bartlett (Fremont, CA)
- Marilyn Randazzo (Pflugerville, TX)
- Stephen Lovecchio (Mandeville, LA)
- Rick Rogers (Metairie, LA)
- Kelly Lee (Lake Charles, LA)
- Russell Knapp (Spring, TX)
- Jenny Xu (Houston, TX)
- Holland Brothers (Tomball, TX)
A record number of more than 50 agents were inducted into the Million Dollar Club:
(No particular order)
- Lisa Knight (Lafayette, LA)
- Brandon Richey (Beaumont, TX)
- Dale Ratliff (Humble, TX)
- Roger Larson (Walnut Creek, CA)
- Randall Kent (Lytle, TX)
- Norma Pineda (Houston, TX)
- William Woodall (Dallas, TX)
- Katie & Jeff Cannon (Shawnee, OK)
- Melissa Khan (Houston, TX)
- JR Zamorano (Dallas, TX)
- Randy Costa (Missouri City, TX)
- Bobbie Gail Torres (Corpus Christi, TX)
- Chris Forman (Bryan, TX)
- Alison Cuevas (Slidell, LA)
- Noel Sanchez (San Mateo, CA)
- Marilyn Caldwell (Royse City, TX)
- Vlada Denisova (Los Angeles, CA)
- Kerry Landry (Gretna, LA)
- Jennifer Wragge (Willis, TX)
- Barbara Mitchell (Laurel, MD)
- Ashley Floyd (Houston, TX)
- Lisa Newman (Richardson, TX)
- Clay Hudnall (Lewisville, TX)
- Brian Stamper (Owasso, OK)
- Thuy Cao (Houston, TX)
- Reed Wilcox (Dallas, TX)
- Amber Pillsbury (Conroe, TX)
- Jennifer Ly and Paul Ly (Garland, TX)
- Maury Saunders (Houston, TX)
- Greg Armstrong (Houston, TX)
- Harlivleen Kaur (Addison, TX)
- Estela Portillo (Houston, TX)
- Shaileen Smith (Richardson, TX)
- Patti Broussard (Lumberton, TX)
- Brandon Mangum (Houston, TX)
- Julio Manchego (Tampa, FL)
- Denise Davis (Tomball, TX)
- Jennifer Vargas (The Woodlands, TX)
- Lane McKinney (Friendswood, TX)
- Joseph Vu (Houston, TX)
- Ann Moore (Huntsville, TX)
- Mike Underwood (Plano, TX)
- Tom Blasutta (Grand Prairie, TX)
- Adrian Saman (Dallas, TX)
- Bentley Fitch (Carrollton, TX)
- Rick Burridge (Dallas, TX)
- Chad Gunal (Houston, TX)
- Wendy Guerrero (Houston, TX)
- Jay Broker (The Woodlands, TX)
- Todd Golden (Conroe, TX)
- Susan Stover (Kingwood, TX)
- Terry Cauthen (Port Arthur, TX)
- John Keefer (Houston, TX)
For further Media Information: Alex Bunch
Posted in news-articleThe New Umbrella of Flood Insurance
Gordy Bunch, President & CEO, TWFG Insurance Services.
HOUSTON, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — 2015 is already on the record books as one of the worst years of flooding in U.S. history. The nation’s Midwest and Gulf Coast communities are afloat with homes, vehicles, trees, and personal belongings as the result of record-breaking rainfalls.
More than 163 billion gallons of rain deluged the Houston area alone. For the fortunate few who signed up for policies tied to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), rebuilding will be less painful and less costly, says Gordy Bunch, president and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG). Bunch is a national FEMA flood agency award winner and a director of The Woodlands Township, a premier master-planned community just north of Houston with 30,000 homes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has assigned a “major” rating to recent flooding in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas. Minor to moderate flooding has occurred in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The threat of flooding is about to become compounded by the Hurricane Season which usually affects Florida and the East Coast. High tide floods have been forecast in 2015 by NOAA.
FEMA’s new flood insurance program went into effect on April 1, 2015, so Bunch cautions that the new program could affect policy holder rates and deductions. Thousands of homeowners and small business firms may need to pay higher premiums regardless of the extent of their damage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says flood insurance is an essential ingredient for protecting your family. Too many victims of this year’s flooding felt a false sense of safety because they thought their homes were situated above flood waters, says Bunch. The Blanco River in Texas, which normally crests at 13 feet, reached 44.5 feet. Bunch always reminds customers that their homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Flood insurance fills that void and if your insurer participates in the NFIP program you can file claims even if a storm situation does not trigger a federal disaster declaration. If your home is listed in a flood plain, your mortgage company will insist that you buy flood insurance.
The NFIP has 5.3 million policyholders in homes and businesses across the country with $1.3 trillion of insurance coverage in force. Among the many FEMA changes which were combined with new flood maps identifying Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are:
Increased fees for most policies.
New deductible options with a maximum of $10,000 for single family homes and two-to-four family dwellings could result in a 40% discount.
Increase in the Federal Policy Fee.
Limiting increases for individual premiums to 18 percent of premium.
Limiting increases for average rate classes to 15 percent.
“Grandfathering” can provide a lower-cost rating for policies in force when the new flood maps became effective.
Gordy Bunch recommends that prospective or renewing policy holders go to FloodSmart.com for more information and updates from FEMA.
For Media Information:
Gordy Bunch 713-416-0789
gordy@twfg.com
SOURCE The Woodlands Financial Group
RELATED LINKS
http://www.twfg.com
The Woodlands Financial Group: Comments to ICT
June 2015
The Woodlands Financial Group has become a national leader in insurance services with sound business practices and dedication to its customers, employees, and industry at its core. As it begins a new chapter in its history, it behooves TWFG to engage all available resources and organizations that represent the finest business practices available today. TWFG is in the process of launching The Woodlands Insurance Company – TWICO, a carrier that intends to operate and succeed within the realms of promise, credibility, legality, and budget. We believe the Insurance Council of Texas will be instrumental in assisting TWFG and TWICO to reach our goals as a trusted partner in the journey ahead. Our slogan is “Our Policy is Caring,” and we know that ICT also cares about its members.
Gordy Bunch
Founder, President, and CEO
The Woodlands Financial Group
Posted in news-article