The Buckner Company - 2021 Annual Report

2021 ANN UAL REPORT

CELEBRATING ALL OUR YEARS SERVING OUR TRUSTED CLIENTS.

BUCKNER ANNUAL REPORT

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Entering 2021, we found ourselves becoming cautiously optimistic that the worst of the pandemic and the social unrest of 2020 was at last in our rearview mirror. Slowly, business meetings started to take place, travel restrictions were lifted, and many employees started to return to the workplace.However, the return to some degree of normal brought its own degree of challenges. Much of the demand for products and services that had been sidelined during 2020 began to burst forth in 2021 at a level that no one expected. We began hearing about the “supply chain disruption” and “chip shortage”. Pictures of stacked-up containers at the docks became an evening staple on the news.

We have not been immune to these outside forces; particularly when the three states our offices are located in are in the hottest economies with the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. While these new challenges seem unprecedented, it provides an opportunity for our team to shine and rise to the occasion and they have. Our Senior Leadership team has been working tirelessly to train and attract great talent to join our team to fill the ever expanding needs of our clients. We have used this opportunity to embrace powerful technology skills and tools that allow us to be more efficient in how we interact with our clients as well as our carrier partners.

The insurance market likewise seems to be in a state of flux as new risks emerge. The recent ransomware attacks that have plagued our country have put a strain and demand on cyber insurance. Lack of capacity has likewise driven pricing up on property, excess liability, and umbrella coverage. The good news is, there seems to be a tempering on pricing in the workers compensation and the liability markets. Auto seems to be holding its own with more realistic pricing changes.

As we look forward to 2022, I am optimistic at the ability our team has to be nimble as we address whatever the year presents to us.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF 2021, SURPRISINGLY IT WILL GO DOWN IN OUR RECORD BOOKS AS ONE OF OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL YEARS AS OUR 200-PLUS EMPLOYEES HAVE GROWN OUR COMPANY ALMOST 20%. THIS IS A FEAT NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED A YEAR AGO. I could not be more proud of the team we have and their collective professionalism. Their ability to thrive when adversity presents itself makes them true heroes. It is my honor to have them on our team!

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 02 03 04 05 07 09 10

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION WHO IS BUCKNER SUMMER INTERNSHIP/ BUCKNER CARES THE HISTORY OF BUCKNER BUCKNER WELLNESS SERIES BEHIND THE SCENES BUCKNER MASTERCLASS

CEO AND PRESIDENT TERRY H. BUCKNER

AWARDS

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PRESIDENTS CLUB

We are proud to have a team of 72 client advisors that span over 7 different offices. Our President’s Club is made up of individuals that have shown their dedication not only to their clients, but to the industry itself. These individuals have excelled in education, board positions, community involvement, and drive in their designated specialties. We’d like to congratulate the following individuals for achieving the highest standards of both client size and professionalism.

BLAINE ALLEN

DOUG BALL

TERRY BUCKNER

CHRISTIAN DEPUTY

TANNER ELDREDGE

BÉAT KOSZINOWSKI

BRAD NIELSON

BRETT NILSSON

BRANDON ROBERTSON

JUSTIN ROBINSON

RYAN STRINGHAM

DUSTIN THOME

ELITE WOMEN 2021, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA LIANNA KINARD VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING Insurance Business America (IBA) is one of the top insurance magazines in the country. IBA honors 20 women within the industry who have made monumental changes and advances in their field. From settling sales records, landing seats in the C-Suite, or mentoring women to excel, they have distinguished themselves in the insurance business. We are proud that Lianna was honored with this award and the impact she has made within our community.

PIIAC PERSON OF THE YEAR 2021 TROY D. SIBELIUS DENVER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT The Professional Insurance Agents of Colorado (PIIAC) honors one insurance agent each year that has demonstrated a high standard of excellence for their agency, clients, and community. Troy has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years. He holds Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations from The National Alliance, and was selected as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA) in 2010. It is no surprise that Troy was honored with this award and Buckner is proud to have him on our team.

BUCKNER WHO IS BUCKNER?

Buckner is a third-generation, family-owned business led by President and CEO Terry H. Buckner. Terry’s grandfather, Elmer Ray, founded the firm in 1936 during the Great Depression. Buckner is a Top 100 Insurance broker and has been listed as one of the fastest growing private companies in America.

BUCKNER’S PRIMARY FOCUSES 1

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

2

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

3

STRATEGIC GROWTH AND EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES

DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE SPOTIFY? Spotify is the newest music platform where you can share and save your favorite songs. Thought insurance was boring?

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COMPANY DIVERSITY NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER ASIAN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC/LATINO ARAB

61% OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN

44% OF OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN WITH BUCKNER FOR 5 YEARS OR LONGER

25% OUR TEAM

OF OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN WITH BUCKNER FOR 10 YEARS OR LONGER

CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA @thebucknerco @buckner.company the-buckner-company @TheBucknerCompany @Bucknerco

BUCKNER CARES

In May 2016, Buckner announced a new charity initiative dedicated to giving back to our local communities. Buckner Cares encourages employees to volunteer and serve others in meaningful ways that will have a lasting impact.

FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES

BURN CAMP & CAMP NAH NAH MAH

DASH FOR DOWN SYNDROME

DENVER, COLORADO

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO

Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest

The University of Utah Health Burn Camp

Dash For Down Syndrome raises funds

hunger relief organization in the Rocky

Program was established in 1993 to help

and awareness for the Eastern Idaho Down

Mountain region and provides the largest

support burn survivors with the personal

Syndrome Family Connect organization.

food bank geographical coverage in the

challenges associated with surviving a burn

Their mission is to provide the connection between individuals with Down syndrome

United States. Serving the community

injury. Buckner is proud to sponsor Camp

since 1978, Food Bank of the Rockies dis-

Nah Nah Ma, the preschool burn camp

and their communities. This is a day of

tributes more than a million meals every

which was created to assist young burn

celebration for the local Down syndrome

week on average.

survivors as they deal with the reality of

community, their families, and supporters.

their burn injury.

2021 SUMMER INTERNSHIP We were proud to offer our highly competitive and sought after annual summer paid internship program in 2022. Last year, we had over 150 students apply for 8 available spots. 8 students from 3 top tier universities in Utah participated in activities designed to give a comprehensive overview of the insurance industry, and the different career opportunities available from an agency and carrier perspective. Here are a few of our favorite internship highlights:

• SCHOLARSHIPS COMPETITION • 6- WEEK ROTATING SCHEDULE ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING SALES, MARKETING, ACCOUNTING, AND CARRIER RELATIONS • 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIPS WITH TOP CLIENT ADVISORS • WEEKLY INSURANCE CARRIER LUNCH AND LEARNS • BUCKNER CARES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

“

Buckner’s internship allowed me to learn enough about insurance to understand if it peaked my professional interest. The program provided me with professional structure and an opportunity postgraduation that has now developed into a full-time position where I control my professional growth within this industry.

-DEVIN SHIELDS-AUBLE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

“

BUCKNER THE HISTORY OF BUCKNER

“

These 85 years have not come easy. The Buckner Company’s foundation is the hundreds of employees we’ve had over the years. We couldn’t have done it without a single one of them.

-Terry Buckner, CEO and President

1936 Firm established by Elmer Ray Buckner

1947 E. Lamar joined the business

“

1952

1964

1988

L. Stewart Radmall joined the business

Became a corporation, Buckner Insurance Counselors

Terry Buckner becomes new CEO

PRESIDENTS OF BUCKNER

ELMER BUCKNER PRESIDENT: 1936-1964

E. LAMAR BUCKNER CO-PRESIDENT: 1964-1988

L. STEWART RADMALL CO-PRESIDENT: 1964-1988

1992

2009

2014

HQ was relocated to Salt Lake City

Expanded into Idaho

Expanded into Colorado

TERRY BUCKNER

PRESIDENT: 1988-CURRENT

2019

2020

2021

Opened Utah Opened Boise, County office Idaho office

Buckner hit 85 years!

WELLNESS

BUCKNER WELLNESS SERIES

This year we traveled coast-to-coast to bring four of the best experts in wellness. The tools from our wellness series provided information about the essential role we play in building and fostering a culture of health and wellbeing; both at work and in our personal lives.

CODY RIGSBY

PELOTON INSTRUCTOR We were pleased to welcome Cody Rigsby as the first speaker in our four-part series. Cody utilizes his expertise in physical, mental, and emotional wellness to lead and inspire others which has made him one of the top instructors on Peloton.

His main focus lies in teaching his trainees how all three models of wellness are interconnected and how they can establish balance in their lives.

CARL SOKIA

FOUNDER & CEO, EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Our second wellness speaker was Carl Sokia, the creator of Experience Management Solutions. Sokia’s most recent on-taking was serving as the President of the largest professional HR organization in Utah, Salt Lake SHRM. Throughout his segment, Sokia discusses the importance of “Peopletivity” which can be defined as the value of mastering the human experience and its impact on the future success of organizations in today’s work climate.

CANDICE KUMAI CHEF & AUTHOR

Author and Chef, Candice Kumai shared about her Japanese heritage in our third installment of our wellness series. In her book, Kintsugi Wellness, Kumai shares what she’s learned while guiding her readers through her favorite Japanese traditions and practices for cultivating inner strength and living a gracious life. Candice shares her methods of wellness which includes Wabi-Sabi, the celebration of imperfection and nourishing the mind, body, and spirit through “golden repair."

CHRISTINE WZOREK

FOUNDER & CEO, WHITE LABELS ADVISOR

In our fourth and final wellness series episode, Christine Wzorek discusses why unlocking the power and potential of your employees can reap not only big benefits for you as a company, but also trickle down to the well-bring of the individuals working for you creating a mutually beneficial environment. Christine is the Founder and CEO of White Label Advisors; a strategic direction firm that modernizes internal constructs to incorporate human intelligence into business and financial strategies.

WATCH WELLNESS VIDEOS HERE

S

BEHIND THE SCENES CORPORATE CONTROLLER WHITNEY ENNIS Get to know our new controller Whitney. Whitney has over thirteen years of accounting experience and recently started with us at Buckner. She brings new drive and perspective to best help our clients. Chances are you won’t hear from Whitney or her team, but they are consistently working behind the scenes taking care of you!

OPERATIONS SUPPORT SPECIALIST EAN BIGELOW Making background business operations more efficient, Ean is the person who keeps Buckner running smoothly. Ean’s broad range of skills allow him to step in and assist our team leads in a variety of ways. From project management to potential business acquisitions, Ean provides crucial operational support. We don’t know what we would do without him!

HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST DEVIN TOLAND With his focus on recruiting, Devin has helped to launch Buckner into full gear! You may see him at local universities networking with students or even on LinkedIn connecting with future employees. Devin is a culinary fanatic and attends UVU himself. We are excited to see his growth as he continues to progress in his career with Buckner.

WELLNESS CONSULTANT EMILY STONE Emily’s approach to employee wellness encourages individuals to pursue healthy behaviors that are meaningful and include human connection and support. Working closely with client advisors, Emily designs wellness strategies that help to improve the efficiency, engagement, and overall wellbeing of a company’s most valuable asset, their employees.

SR. CLAIMS SPECIALIST DANIEL BERG Daniel is your go to guy when you are having a rough day and need our help! As one of our claims advocates, he works directly with clients and carriers to help you navigate the claims process smoothly. Daniel ensures you receive the support you need in a timely manner. From coverage reviews to providing aid in total loss disputes, our claims department has your back!

MASTERCLASS

BUCKNER

TEACHES INSURANCE CLIENT RESOURCES

INSURANCE INSIGHTS

From filing a claim, scheduling a loss control appointment, or learning about our wellness program, we have 8 short lessons to help you on your way. Our team will teach you what you need to know and guide you through the process.

Get access to video lessons and exclusive materials on commercial insurance, employee benefits, and industry specialties. Watch short 2-3 minutes videos from our team of experts to get high level summaries of important facts to know.

ACCESS BUCKNER MASTERCLASS VIDEOS WATCH NOW

Commercial insurance coverage that goes a step above the rest.

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