Q&A with Tony Giangiordano

Tony “G” Giangiordano is the owner and president of AAG Insurance, which he founded over 25 years ago in Bel Air, MD. He volunteers on the IA&B of Maryland Government Relations Committee and serves as vice president of the Harford County Council.

Q. You studied business and finance in college. What prompted you to focus on insurance specifically, and how did your career unfold?

A. I first got a taste of the insurance world when I bought my sister’s 1973 Barracuda and went to speak with our local Allstate agent, Tom O’Shea, to see what it would cost to insure it. That visit planted a seed.

After college, I started out in commercial lending but knew early on that I wanted to own my own business. I interviewed with Allstate before commercial lending five times, but at the time, I had no sales experience — just a strong work ethic and the drive to build something of my own. They told me they were going to place me in a Sears store, since I was fresh out of college and still learning the ropes.

Q. Tell us about AAG Insurance and how it has grown.

A. I wanted to build my business in my hometown, where I had deep roots — from playing high school sports to being active in the Jaycees and other local organizations. That local connection was important to me, and I knew it would make a difference.

I got my start in a district office with Nationwide, with no clients and just a phone. I was literally dialing for dollars, working three nights a week until 9 PM, making cold calls and trying to build relationships. It was tough, but I was determined.

As the business grew, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I started bringing people in to help and build a stronger organization. Over time, I learned that you have to be flexible with staff — if you’re not, someone else will be. Whether it’s another agency or a corporate job, talented people have options. I made it a point to create an environment where people wanted to stay and grow.

Q. What’s your favorite thing about working in our industry?

A. What has always motivated me — and still does — is helping people. For me, it was never just about selling a policy; it was about making a promise — a promise that they would be taken care of and that I would always be available when they needed help. I took the time to explain why the coverage mattered, what it protected, and how it could mean the difference between recovering from a loss or being devastated by it.

Over the years, I came to understand that every policy I wrote was about more than insurance — it was about protecting someone’s dream, their family, their home, or their livelihood. That deeper sense of purpose is what kept me going through the long hours and the hard work it took to build a business from the ground up.

Q. You’re a Harford County Council member. How and why did you get involved with local politics?

A. At the end of long days, I used to wind down at a local restaurant where I’d have a cigar and relax. It became a bit of a routine — and there were always a few familiar faces doing the same. One couple in particular was there often, and over time, they started to notice how people would come up to me with questions or ask for advice while I was sitting there. They also saw me taking calls, helping clients, and staying engaged even after hours.

One day the husband said, “You’d make a good politician.” I laughed it off and said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” The husband was clerk of the court, and the wife was a delegate in Annapolis.

But they didn’t give up. For nearly a year, they kept planting the seed — reminding me of how involved I already was, how much I cared about the community, and how people naturally came to me for help. Eventually, at a wedding, after a long conversation (and maybe a few drinks), I finally said yes.

Q. Thank you for serving on the IA&B Government Relations Committee! What would you tell other independent agents who are considering getting involved?

A. I believe that input from people with different experiences helps everyone see new perspectives — perspectives that might not be obvious to others. Whether it’s in the insurance business, or public service, those diverse viewpoints can challenge assumptions and lead to better decisions.

It’s that kind of collaboration that makes our industry stronger. When we listen, share ideas, and learn from one another, we all grow — and we’re better equipped to serve the people who rely on us.

Q. When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?

A. Like many agents, I enjoy golfing when I can find the time. I’m also proud to be involved with a local charity that, over the past 10 years, has given out over $1 million to those in need. I stay active in the community through events like local parades and, for the past two years, helping host the largest Italian festival in the state of Maryland with the Society of Italian American Businessmen.

Outside of work and community service, I still enjoy a good cigar, spending time at the gym, traveling, visiting the casino now and then, and — most of all — being with friends.