“There is a question as to if we might be the longest agency, the home office is clarifying it, but we are good with number two for now,” said Phil Davis owner of Davis Insurance.
It was Chauncey Davis, Phil’s grandfather, which started the agency back in 1953. Starting at the Ogren Building, just a few doors down from the current Davis Agency, Chauncey along with wife, Helen, called their son, Jim, out of California, to help him run the new agency that would be selling insurance and real estate.
“We were down in Hollywood, dad was selling a cooking fat that makes French Fries taste good for Proctor & Gamble,” Phil said. “He sold to people like Jim and Morris McDonald. They had a milkshake machine that could make three milkshakes at a time. Said they were starting a new business and were selling shares at $0.25.”
His father, Jim, and mother, Marion, packed up their two boys, Brian and Phil, and left the sunny life of California for a new deal in Pacific County, the Davis Agency was starting up and they needed help.
“I remember that when we got to Montesano, all the roads from that point were gravel. My mom wondering, “Will we ever get there?” That was around 1957, we had to travel over all those logging roads.”
In the early years, Chauncey and Helen Davis grew from selling insurance into real estate and were able to serve both areas for their customers. It was not long before Helen found a new location for the Davis Agency, an undeveloped property that Jim and Marion Davis put the current Davis Agency building on. As the four Davis’ brought in new clients and grew the family business, the boys went off in their own direction. It was not until Phil was 28 that he returned to the area and started back with the now three-generational family agency.
“At one point, Chauncey held the title of vice president for the Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company, when he started the agency it was known as the Farmers Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company,” Phil said. “If I estimate I would say that the company has grown to around 335 agencies for Mutual of Enumclaw today.”
The small Davis Agency grew from Chauncey selling insurance, and Helen selling Real Estate to now the agency providing insurance for several commercial and civic businesses and groups to included Pacific County and the city of South Bend.
“Today, out of this office with my staff of four, we write for several insurance companies like Safeco and Progressive,” Phil said. “We also sell Dairyland Insurance, which allows drivers to insure their driver’s license, which covers them on any of their vehicles. For someone who has several vehicles this is becoming a popular insurance for many of our clients. But of course, the agency would not be what it is without my excellent staff.”
Davis recalled the storm of 2007 and how much damage it caused in the immediate area in the Northern part of the county. “Even with no electricity, everyone of my staff came to work to help others during that storm. I am so proud of all of them.”
Armed with a cell phone and digital camera, Davis made visits to storm damage areas assisting his clients.
“We got out the candles and hung a big butcher paper sign out front letting people know we were open and ready to help them,” he recalled.
Davis notes that only one other person has been with the agency longer than him, Cheryl Kochopulos, who has been with the agency for 38 years, Phil has been with the family agency for 31 years.
“No one knows more about Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance than Cheryl, I think she even knows more then those at Mutual of Enumclaw.”
The Davis Agency Managing Real Estate Broker Vickie McNamara has recently passed 17 years, Sherry Hodgson has so far spent 18 fun filled years, and Wannette Allton has 26 years with the agency and might be looking at retirement soon.
“I have tried to persuade her to stay,” said Davis.
The Davis Agency has grown along with Mutual of Enumclaw, which serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and now into Utah.
“We offer products from about 20 different companies selling auto, home, life and commercial insurance. We also offer ARP from Hartford, work with Travelers Insurance as well as bond contractors. But I am most proudest of the recent recognition from Mutual of Enumclaw and the 60 years of consecutive service.”
Davis has two sons who are working on finishing their education, but admittedly have little interest in the family business at this time.
“With everything that is happening with the area, it may be time for me to start thinking of an exit strategy for the near future,” Phil admitted.
Though it will most likely be several years before Davis looks at the strategy, he is happy with new business developments in the area like businesses filling up the port.
“I have to hand it to Rebecca Chaffee, she is a visionary helping bring in the new industry.”
Even with the modern times, the Davis Agency is still one of those places that customers take the time to drop of payments directly to the office.
“I am very proud of the nurturing relationships we build with our customers,” Phil said. “I understand that it is difficult in the insurance world. But with my devoted and excellent staff, we are dedicated to our customers, and provide that individual and personal customer service.”
The Davis Agency is located at 915 West Robert Bush Drive, South Bend, or can be found at www.davisagencyinc.com.