The SourceVolume 5 Issue 2

Global Reach. Local Touch. Single Source.

Partner SpotlightAmeriCap Insurance Group, Inc.

What drives us at Higginbotham? We call it a desire to exceed the expectations of our clients, employees, carriers and communities. What do you get when you see a mirror image of yourself in a new partner? A perfect match.

That’s exactly what we found with AmeriCap. Jeff Strahan launched the agency in 2012 alongside Brook Crawford. They began with zero revenue, but quickly grew AmeriCap to 25 employees and over $4 million in revenue. And like Higginbotham, they employed a two-pillar growth strategy to do it. Through new partner acquisitions and organic growth, the agency developed into a full-service practice with a young management team dedicated to serving middle-market businesses commonly undervalued by large brokers.

Though already on a fast-paced track of growth, Jeff couldn’t turn down an opportunity to reach a new level of velocity. As a prior employee, he was already familiar with Higginbotham’s culture, and in 2016 we both recognized the resemblance and potential a partnership would offer. Now united, AmeriCap has the capacity to do more – serve more clients with Day Two Services™, offer employees ownership in the firm, foster relationships with new carriers and support the community through the Higginbotham Community Fund.

By combining like-minded entrepreneurs and similar business models, we’ve brought new growth to AmeriCap and doubled Higginbotham’s workforce in Dallas. Together we’ll expand the reach of our BEST IN TEXAS team and bring Single Source solutions to more clients in the DFW Metroplex.

Name one thing that encourages you to succeed.

“Family”

Matt BrandManaging Director

STATS

Year Established: 2012Location: Dallas, Hurst and ShermanNumber of employees: 25Practice areas: Commercial and personal P&C, employee benefits and life insurance

07 Work Hard. Play Hard.

12 A Few Questions with Len Forey

02 Higginbotham Community Fund

“Commitment”

Jeff StrahanManaging Director

Susan G. KomenAs the world’s largest fundraising event for breast cancer, the Race for the Cure helps raise awareness and celebrate those who have battled against the disease. Fort Worth employees participated in the 5k in April.

Texas Rangers RaffleThe Fort Worth office raised $540 for the Higginbotham Community Fund through raffle ticket purchases. The lucky winners included Lisa Doyle (pictured on the left), Bryan St. John, Mary Steinman, Teresa Stinson and Pam Tyrone.

World AutismAwareness DayEmployees across Texas wore blue April 2 to help increase awareness of Austim, a social disorder that affects nearly 67 million people worldwide. See more office photos on pages 7-10.

F.O.R.C.E.Family Of Responsible Caring Employees

Beach to BayOur Corpus Christi office participated in the annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, the largest of its kind in the United States. The team included Shaina Gallaugher, Meagan Hoff, Rose Martinez, Kelly Norton, Norma Pena and Jennifer Sosa. The race is held in honor of our Armed Forces.

Habitat for HumanityHigginbotham helped fund and participate in the construction of a four-bedroom home fora family in need. Around 20 employees in the DFW area volunteered to help make this house come to life. See more photos on Facebook and pages 7-10.

Rock One Sock for Missing KidsOur Port Arthur office joined the Rock One Sock social media challenge to bring hope and attention to National Missing Children’s Day in May. The concept stems from the idea that when a sock is lost in the laundry, the hope is that it will be found. The movement was created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

All Saints’ Episcopal School — $2,500 A leading college preparatory day school in Fort Worth promoting academic excellence in a nurturing Christian environment.

American Association of Zoo Keepers — $400 Connects animal care professionals to advance excellence in the industry and promote animal welfare and conservation.

Arise Africa — $1,950 Works to improve the spiritual, economic and physical health of those living in poverty in Africa to enable them to become responsible and self-sustaining.

Higginbotham Community FundGrants to Texas Nonprofits

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Autism Rescue Angels — $1,000 Provides financial assistance to families affected by autism in the Houston area.

Bynum School — $1,000 Personalized educational programs meet the academic, behavioral and professional needs of individuals with special needs in the Midland area.

Carry the Load — $400 Provides active ways to honor the countless military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping our country safe.

CASA of the Permian Basin — $2,000 Helps abused and neglected children in Odessa find a safe, permanent and loving home.

Cassata High School — $2,500 Private Roman Catholic school in Fort Worth committed to supplying students of all backgrounds with a quality academic experience.

Community Prayer Outreach — $600 Christian outreach that delivers services and assistance to those in need in Nederland.

Cook Children’s Neuroblastoma — $1,000 A dedicated research team working to advance the treatment of neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that occurs most often in infants and young children.

Ed-U-Care — $600 Supplies education and community resources to marginalized individuals and groups that are seeking to manage the demands of their personal, family and professional lives.

Epilepsy Foundation — $700 Programs and services provide guidance on epilepsy self-management and promote public awareness of the condition.

Family First — $5,000 Resources provide parenting, marriage and relational truth that helps people love their family.

First Look — $1,000 Offers women education and training for pregnancy in Ellis County.

Fort Worth Academy — $750 Helps students build a foundation for academic and lifelong success.

Fort Worth Bike Share — $6,667 Promotes a new mode of transportation that is healthy, efficient, affordable and reliable.

Greatest Gift Catalog Ever — $1,500 Distributed during the holiday season, the catalog promotes philanthropy by featuring opportunities to give to charities in Tarrant County.

Habitat for Humanity — $2,500 Volunteers build affordable homes for Habitat partner families who purchase the homes with interest-free mortgages and sweat equity that’s invested back into the organization.

Harbor Playhouse — $1,000 Theatre in Corpus Christi showcasing classic and contemporary plays and musicals.

Harris County Foundation for Mental Health — $1,000 Services help mentally disabled individuals live with dignity as fully-functioning and contributing community citizens.

Hill School — $1,500 Gives students with learning differences the skills and strategies to succeed on their own.

More Grants to Texas Nonprofits

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Managing Director Curtis Page was featured on KEYE TV in June. As an Austin Gives leader, he was invited to talk about how philanthropy is at the core of our company culture. Watch the video here to learn how we’re going Full F.O.R.C.E. to give back in Austin.

Hope Ministries — $750 Supports singles and single parents educationally, financially and spiritually.

JASON Alliance of Southeast Texas — $600 Learning curriculum promotes science, technology, engineering and math education for K-12 students and professional development for teachers.

Lena Pope — $2,500 Counseling and educational programs help children and families succeed.

McKinney Christian Academy — $400 An interdenominational Christian college preparatory school for students in North Texas communities.

Nora’s Home — $5,000 Offers affordable lodging to patients and their families before and after transplant surgery.

Operation Finally Home — $2,500 Supplies custom-built, mortgage-free homes to military heroes and widows of the fallen.

People Assisting Animal Control (P.A.A.C.) — $1,000 Decreases euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals by raising funds to support control facilities and public awareness.

People’s Community Clinic — $700 Extends high-quality, affordable health care options to underserved and uninsured individuals in Central Texas.

River Bend Baptist Church — $1,000 Offers opportunities for Christian worship, discipleship, fellowship and ministry in Fulshear.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — $500 Pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church — $1,000 A church in Fort Worth offering traditional Anglican worship and evangelical, biblically-centered preaching.

Traffick911 — $500 A team of passionate people driven to free youth from sex trafficking.

Volunteer Houston — $500 Promotes volunteerism to meet community needs by connecting citizens to area nonprofit organizations.

WORTH-Next Generation Operations Fund — $2,500 Collaborative grantmaking to serve area nonprofits and community needs.

YMCA — $250 Programs help children build healthy spirits, minds and bodies.

More Grants to Texas Nonprofits

Total Contributions & Pledges as of 3/31/2016:$1,027,810.88

Check the intranet for the latest activity each quarter.

Community Outreach Highlights:

To help Houston recover from widespread flooding after record rainfall, the Higginbotham Community Fund granted a total of $10,000 to two locally-based organizations: The Greater Houston Storm Recovery Network and The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.

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Victor MalveauxBenefits Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Karen OwingsComm. Sr. Acct. Mgr.

Dallas4/01/16

Christina LopezBenefits Acct. Mgr.

Dallas4/01/16

Mark RutherfordBenefits V.P.

Dallas4/01/16

Michelle SaucedoComm. CSR

Dallas4/01/16

Betsy Donnelly Comm. Marketer

Dallas4/01/16

Laura GlennComm. CSR

Dallas4/01/16

Sue GregoryComm. Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Rickie GlennComm. V.P.

Dallas4/01/16

Jenny GumpComm. CSR

Dallas4/01/16

Jackie Hedges Comm. Marketer

Dallas4/01/16

Chanda HerterComm. Sales V.P.

Dallas4/01/16

Lewis HendersonComm. Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Bethany KochAdmin. Assistant

Dallas4/01/16

Matt BrandManaging Director

Dallas4/01/16

John BurkholderBenefits V.P.

Dallas4/01/16

Carol ColeComm. Marketer

Dallas4/01/16

New FacesWelcome to the Best in Texas Team

Jeff StrahanManaging Director

Dallas4/01/16

Emily ValentinBenefits V.P.

Dallas4/01/16

Christy WadeBenefits Acct. Mgr.

Dallas4/01/16

Carrie StrahanComm. Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Trish WestBenefits Acct. Mgr.

Dallas4/01/16

Phyllis WilliamsonComm. Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Neel ChoateEducation Coordinator

Fort Worth4/04/16

Kalie LaddPers. CSR

Friendswood4/04/16

Liz LanzafameSection 125 Admin.

Fort Worth4/25/16

Richard WoodsComm. Associate

Dallas4/01/16

Michelle DeWoodyBenefits Acct. Coordinator

Wichita Falls5/01/16

Matt MaurerComm. Associate

Fort Worth5/01/16

Amy RiveraComm. Marketer

Houston5/01/16

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...we want to be more than your insurance agent; we want to be your business partner and have a positive impact on your business and our community. – Stacy Blackmon, Port Arthur

Kim YanceyComm. Associate

Friendswood6/01/16

Tammy TinhComm. CSRFort Worth

6/06/16

Michele SalazarSelect Comm. Marketer

Fort Worth6/13/16

Drew DahlstromComm. Associate

Fort Worth6/01/16

Jeff TordaComm. Associate

Fort Worth6/13/16

Vickie Talley Benefits Tech. Specialist

Fort Worth5/01/16

Natalie BeShearsBenefits Acct. Mgr.

Waco5/09/16

Debra GuerreroBenefits Acct. Mgr.

San Antonio5/16/16

Claudia DuffBenefits HR V.P.

Fort Worth5/12/16

Gaynia HairstonCOBRA Acct. Mgr.

Fort Worth5/16/16

Austin Somers Benefits Coordinator

Fort Worth5/16/16

Lisa GuestComm. Marketer

Austin5/23/16

Kaylee BushCertCon Admin.

Fort Worth5/23/16

Kirston WeddleComm. Admin. Assistant

Dallas5/23/16

LaShauna StrakerPers. Marketer

Fort Worth5/01/16

New FacesWelcome to the Best in Texas Team

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...providing our customers with exceptional and caring customer service and treating everyone like family. – Velma Ibarra, Fort Worth

Going Full F.O.R.C.E. means...

Nancy PetersonComm. Admin. Mgr.

Dallas4/01/16

Heather PaulkBenefits Coordinator

McKinney4/25/16

Not Pictured:

...taking the time to know our clients to establish a relationship built on honesty, integrity, and more importantly, trust. – Mary Tobon, McAllen

Work Hard. Play Hard.Higginbotham Events

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Colonial

Colonial

Colonial

Habitat for Humanity Corpus Christi Family Event

Texas Health Photoshoot

Dallas Autism Awareness Texas Valero Open

Putt-Putt Masters Hartford Texas Rangers Visit

All Pro Dad ExperienceCorpus Christi Family Event

More Work and Play

Colonial

Colonial

ColonialColonial

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity

Hartford Texas Rangers Visit

Putt-Putt Masters

Corpus Christi Family Event

Corpus Christi Family Event

Corpus Christi Family EventCorpus Christi Cinco de Mayo

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More Work and Play

Colonial

Colonial

Colonial

Colonial

Habitat for Humanity

Hartford Texas Rangers Visit

Corpus Christi Family Event

Corpus Christi Family Event

Friendswood Autism Awareness

Fort Worth Autism Awareness Texas Health Photoshoot

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More Work and Play

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Chanda HerterFort WorthDaughter: Sydney JoyceBorn: June 23, 2016Stats: 7 lbs., 7 oz.

Justin GodwinArlingtonJune 4, 2016

Just Married!

It’s a girl!

Nicole YbanezCorpus ChristiDaughter: Brynlee ChristineBorn: June 23, 2016Stats: 7 lbs., 13 oz.

It’s a girl!

Announcements

HIGG University Welcomes Incoming StudentsHIGG U is our new center for training and education that’s open to all employees. Although focused on new producers, curriculum has also been developed for veteran producers as well as account managers, marketers and CSRs of all levels. Courses will be available for a broad range of job descriptions and experience levels, from freshmen introductory classes like HIGG 101 to graduate program coverage classes. Stay tuned for announcements as classes become available.

Katie CallenderFort WorthApril 16, 2016

Just Married!

ColonialHabitat for HumanityAll Pro Dad Experience

The Source April-June 2016

Employee Recognition

Achievements:Who: HigginbothamAward: In May we were included in the Dallas Business Journal Middle Market 50 list of the fastest-growing middle market companies in North Texas. The list features private and public companies with annual revenue between $25 and $750 million, ranked on a weighted growth index from 2013 to 2015.

Designations:Leticia Gallegos, McAllen - Certified Insurance Service RepresentativeJessi Jennings, Fort Worth - Certified Insurance Service Representative Pat Monis, Fort Worth - Advanced Charter Benefit ConsultantMelinda Ovalle, Friendswood - Certified Insurance Service Representative

Kudos:Who: Higginbotham ClaimsWhy Best in Texas: Producer Steven Hartman and his family sadly came home on Christmas night to find their street lined with fire trucks and police cars. His parents’ house, and everything inside, had been engulfed in flames. A few months later Steven’s father, Daniel Hartman, wrote a letter of appreciation to Higginbotham commending our claims team’s 24-hour response and outstanding service. He closed by saying he “will not forget those who made a difference to us with their professionalism, compassion and action.” Read more about Higginbotham’s action in Steven’s LinkedIn article here.

Who: Higginbotham Risk ManagementWhy Best in Texas: Richard Broussard with STI Group Fabrication thanked Higginbotham for the support in making his company a safer place to work. With Higginbotham’s guidance, he has been able to verify that his employees are not working in a hazardous environment.

Who: Lindsay JohnsonOffice: FriendswoodWhy Best in Texas: Mary Anne McWhirter with Alvin Independent School District was very grateful for the kindness, professionalism, patience and efficiency Lindsay provided when helping with her renewal. She said “her customer service is beyond reproach!”

Who: Kathy McElroy Office: Port ArthurWhy Best in Texas: Managing Director Len Forey explained the great job Kathy did to assist a new client who was sent a demand letter for alleged damages resulting from work they had performed for a carrier through a general contractor. Kathy worked with the anxious client, aggressive plaintiff attorney, confused insurance adjuster and concerned general contractor to get all parties to come to an agreement. When resolved, the client expressed much appreciation for all of the efforts of Higginbotham.

Who: Beverly MorrisOffice: Fort WorthWhy Best in Texas: Sherman Young, a longtime client of Higginbotham, praised Beverly for always making him feel the “VIP” love and making his life less stressful. He complimented her attention to detail, follow through and responsiveness.

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03

How did you earn your first dollar? Outside of being paid for minor chores, my first paying job was at a local grocery store stocking goods at $1 an hour. After one month, the proprietor increased my wage to $1.25 an hour, and then reduced my hours.

Why did you choose to work in insurance? The one thing I knew I did not want to do when leaving college was sell insurance. The the first job offer I received was from Employer Insurance of Texas as an insurance adjuster, and I bit the bullet and took the job because it was not a sales position. Within two weeks, I knew this was not my calling. A few positions and years later I was asked to interview for a job at a local shipyard for the position of loss control manager. I took the job after asking about the security of the company and finding out it had two years of work booked. But two years later, it hadn’t secured another contract and had to lay off approximately 2,500 people. Although not laid off, I was given an opportunity to go to Pennsylvania to another yard, or go back to Employer as a producer. It was at this point that I chose work in insurance. When asked about my previous positions, I’ve frequently commented, “What was I thinking?”

What motivates you to be the Best In Texas? A wise and respected agent once told me that there will be times when you lose clients over price, but you should never lose a client over service because those accounts are almost impossible to reclaim. I have always tried to follow that philosophy, and every decision I make is based upon what is best for the client.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Outside of the family, being a part of the team that developed the Talon organization and watching its growth. The Higginbotham acquisition validated that accomplishment.

What’s one professional or personal skill you wish you had but don’t? A higher degree of patience in understanding how computers work.

Have you ever had a nickname? If so, what is it? A few, most of which cannot be repeated. Although it was only used by a few in college, “Duke” was the one I liked the most. I guess I reminded them of John Wayne.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Gumbo.

What’s one piece of modern technology you would choose to eliminate and why? Bank debit cards. They are far too dangerous.

What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most? Fox News and Sirius 60s.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? Go to our lake house with the grandkids.

If you could have any celebrity as a next-door neighbor, who would it be and why? Katherine Zeta Jones because I understand she is a great cook.

What words of wisdom would you pass onto new producers? It has been my experience that there is no magic formula for becoming a successful producer. They come in many different forms and personalities. There is one common thread though—they all dedicate themselves to learning as much as they can about their profession and working hard to achieve their goals.

LEN FOREYTitle: Managing Director – Commercial Lines

Location: Port Arthur

Age: 65

Hometown: Nederland

Family: Wife Norma, daughter Leslie and son-in-law Jimmy Harrison (both producers in the Port Arthur office), daughter Laura and grandsons Jake and Luke

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University

Boards and organizations: Beaumont Texas A&M Club (past president), Nederland Rotary Club (past president), Knight of Columbus and other various civic groups

A Few Questions with...12

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Events:August 11 and 12North Texas P&C Retreat, Eagle Mountain Lake

September 1 and 2Austin Staff Retreat, Kingsland

September 16 and 19South Texas Ocean Days, Port Aransas

Contact:Send story ideas, events and pictures to: gwaters@higginbotham.net

Get your favorite post featured in The Source by liking, sharing, and commenting! The post with the most love wins. Be sure to visit our blog at www.higginbotham.net/blog and use the social sharing icons on the left.

Social Media SpotlightBest of Facebook:

We received 152 reactions, comments and shares when we told the news of our Community Fund donation to help flood victims in Houston recover.

Top Facebook Follower

Thank you Lori Duvall for your likes and shares!

Best of Twitter:

Followers loved our Community Fund video sharing the number of grants given in 2015.Did you miss it? You can still watch the video on Youtube.

Top Twitter Follower:

Thank you Carol Luebbehusen!

Connect with HigginbothamSocial Media and Events

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Stay Tuned:

We started a five-month series where we’ll post a video every Friday to highlight our Day Two Services™. Look for the videos on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and be sure to like, comment and share them with your networks.