|
St. Marys Insurance Celebrates 75 Years |
|
Written by Publisher
|
|
Wednesday, 19 December 2007 |
 St. Marys Insurance Company, celebrating 75 years in business, has grown from a modest business with a staff of three into a very successful business with six offices throughout the area. Seen here with co-owners Jeff Azzato and Nick Guisto, are is the staff of St. Marys Insurance Agency consisting of 44 full and part-time employees.
By Grace Kriegisch
Daily Press Staff
St. Marys Insurance Agency, with its main office located at 324 S. St. Marys St., is celebrating a milestone few businesses see.
Founded in 1932 by George S. Rupprecht, Veronica Rupprecht and Margaret Hauber St. Marys Insurance Agency, has faithfully served clients in St. Marys and the surrounding area for 75 years and is still going strong.
The agency was originally located at 108 N. Michael St. and just 5 years after it began, Stephen Rupprecht and Albert Klausman purchased the business from its original founders.
Since that time, several changes have taken place. What began as a modest business with just three employees, has grown to a staff of 44 full and part-time workers with multiple locations in Elk, Cameron, McKean, Jefferson and Centre Counties.
The first change came about in 1962, when Richard (Dick) Friedl became a partner in the firm. In 1967, Friedl purchased the company from Rupprecht and Klausman.
January 1976 saw further changes, when St. Marys Insurance purchased Valley Insurance Agency in Byrnedale. Making James Pisaneschi a part owner in the business.
In July 1982, St. Marys Insurance continued expanding through the purchase of Dieteman and Bauer Insurance of St. Marys. The Smith-Keats Agency located in Johnsonburg and owned by Sam Guaglianone was acquired in 1988.
In May 1996, the present owners, Jeff Azzato and Nick Guisto purchased both St. Marys Insurance and the Smith-Keats Agency. The partners brought a great deal of experience to the business. Azzato joined the staff of St. Marys Insurance in 1987 followed by Guisto in 1991.
Azzato and Guisto followed the trend set down by their predecessors and continued adding to the business. July 1998, saw the acquisition of Tony Gerg Insurance, consolidating the St. Marys and Johnsonburg offices.
The new century has seen continued growth for St. Marys Insurance Agency. In August 2001, a scratch company, McKean Insurance Agency, was created to serve clients in Bradford. Boyles Insurance Agency with offices in Clearfield and State College was added in 2006.
In the past year, an additional scratch company in Emporium, Emporium Insurance Agency, was created to serve the Cameron County area.
In addition to representatives who handle the diverse insurance needs of individuals and families as well as corporate clients, St. Marys Insurance Agency has recently opened a financial services department with a knowledgeable staff equipped to handle requests and offer financial advice to its customers at all six locations concerning mutual funds and variable annuity accounts.
The future looks bright for St. Marys Insurance Agency which seeks to maintain a quality agency with a strong presence in this area. With the possibility of adding three to five additional employees in the coming year, the dedicated staff at St. Marys Insurance will continue to offer the very best insurance products and services to existing and prospective customers at its various locations.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 December 2007 )
|
