Best Agency to Work For – South Central

Watkins Insurance Group, Austin, Texas

Watkins Insurance Group Manages Steady Growth, Even in Difficult Times

Watkins Insurance Group has been on a growth trajectory for the past 20 years, and that’s just fine with the group’s employees, whose efforts led to the firm’s selection as Insurance Journal‘s Best Agency to Work For in the South Central region.

“We have been blessed to grow every year for the past two decades. This is a rarity, especially over the past few years with market and economic headwinds. This is due to great leadership, great personnel and a great team culture,” said one Watkins employee who responded to Insurance Journal‘s 2013 Best Agencies to Work For survey.

“We have had continued growth and profit since I started with the agency,” said another employee. “In eight years, we have grown from approximately a staff of 30 to almost 100 employees. We have more than doubled our revenue in this time.”

The agency, which was founded in Austin, Texas, has grown up with the city, said company President Patrick Watkins.

“We’re just proud to have grown up with Austin so to speak, our Austin office. That’s a big presence for our agency and all the communities we serve. It’s great to be a part of the community as we’ve all grown together,” Watkins said.

The agency was founded in 1949 by Patrick Watkins’ father, David. Patrick joined the firm full-time in 1994 and took over the reins of the company in 2002. Company expansion really accelerated in the past decade.

The company, which has been deemed a “Best Practices Agency” by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, writes business all over the country and has a presence throughout Texas. In addition to Austin, Watkins Insurance has offices in Holly Lake, Longview, Marble Falls, Minneola, Tyler and Waco. Annual revenue, including property/casualty and benefits, is in the $11 million to $25 million range.

In addition to praising the company’s ability to grow even in difficult times, Watkins’ employees lauded the educational opportunities offered by the agency, the personal support provided by management and fellow team members, and the firm’s commitment to its staff members, clients and the community at large.

“I love that we volunteer at Casita, Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Shelter. It matters to me that we are involved in the everyday life of Austin’s residents,” said one employee.

“They are always providing us with education free of charge, I have way more ed hours than needed to renew my license!” another employee said.

“Leadership and ethics start from the top down. Our leaders show us what is expected of us every day by their actions and not words and/or policies,” said another.

“I feel like that I am very much a part of the success of this agency and in return, I give my all to each and every customer,” said another Watkins employee.

“I know without a doubt that if my family needed anything, all I have to do is call anyone in this agency and they would come running. I would do the same for each person in our agency family. We are a team!” said still another.

Families, of course, have fun, too. “We all work hard, but sometimes we like to have a little fun, so often you’ll see Taco Tuesday, Frozen Yogurt Friday, or other small catering events just to say thanks to employees,” said one staff member. “We have someone come in to shine our shoes, and during the Christmas holiday, Watkins hires a babysitter for employees to bring school-age children to work so parents/employees don’t have to find childcare during the year.”

Because a firm’s nomination as a “Best Agency to Work For” is employee-driven, the designation is an honor of which the firm’s principals are extremely proud.

“We feel that the people that work here are our greatest asset,” Watkins said. “We’re thrilled that they’re the people who cast the votes on this so to speak and think that’s a real testament to what we’ve all done together.”

Topics Texas