CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — What comes with four generations? Experience. Expertise. Consistency.
(PHOTO: Back Row: Alexis Burns and Scott Burns. Front Row: Gene Burns.)
(Photos by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
Founder Henry Burns, Henry Eugene (Gene) Burns, Scott Burns, and Alexis Burns are the four generations that constitute the foundation of Burns and Burns Associates, Inc.
With their dedication and combined experience, expertise, and consistency, this family-owned business has held strong in the ever-changing insurance industry.
Founder, Henry Burns
Henry Burns graduated from Sligo High School in 1932. First, he earned a degree in education at Clarion University, and then he attended the University of Pittsburgh and received his master’s degree in education. He was a high school principal at Porter Township High School.
In 1939, he became associated with a personal lines company to write auto and property insurance. At that time, homeowners’ insurance did not exist.
In 1948, he resigned from education and pursued a career in insurance full-time. He obtained an agent’s contract with Equitable Life Insurance Company. Henry always put the client above everything. He was ranked fourth in the country for Equitable ASA agent.
Henry was married to Mary Alyce Myers for 60 years, owned a farm in Porter Township, and raised five children. He enjoyed leisure time on his farm. He also made it a point to attend the Daytona 500 race every year.
H. Eugene Burns
Henry Eugene (Gene) Burns, son of Henry and Mary Burns, graduated from Redbank High School in 1957. Gene began his insurance career after receiving his degree in insurance from the University of Pittsburgh. He was the President of the BIG I for the state of Pennsylvania in 1987 and was the President of the Industrial Development Authority for over 50 years.
Gene is very involved in the community serving on many boards and taking several executive positions including President of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Pinecrest Country Club. He is one of the founders of the United Way of Clarion County.
He married his high school sweetheart, Susanne Angehr. They have a son and a daughter.
In his spare time, Gene enjoys traveling to various destinations, gardening/flower arranging, cooking, golfing, and Sudoku puzzles.
Scott Burns
Scott Burns, son of Gene and Sue Burns, graduated from Clarion Area High School and then the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. After college, he worked for Aetna as an actuary in Hartford, Connecticut.
Scott began working full-time at Burns & Burns in 1989. In addition to providing customers with tailored insurance solutions, he continues to serve on several boards in the community including the Clarion University Foundation and WRC Senior Services. He has also served as the treasurer for the Clarion Rotary for over 30 years.
Scott married his high school sweetheart, Angelia Cherico. They have two daughters.
In his free time, he enjoys nightly ATV rides in his back woods with his boxer Lola, golfing, working on household projects, and making music playlists.
Alexis Burns
Alexis Burns, daughter of Scott and Angelia Burns, has been exposed to the insurance industry from a very young age. After attending Clarion Area Elementary School, she came to the office and shredded papers.
She continued her educational journey at the University of Pittsburgh double majoring in Supply Chain and Marketing. During this time, Alexis passed her insurance licensing exams in property and casualty, as well as life and health.
After school, Alexis was employed by a leading software company in downtown Pittsburgh. She was able to bring back to the agency a great deal of knowledge from her experience in Pittsburgh. Alexis is drawn to the insurance industry due to the ongoing learning opportunities and ever-changing laws and necessary coverages.
Community involvement is also very important to Alexis, as well. She is currently on the board of the Clarion Free Library and is a member of the Rotary Club.
Alexis enjoys traveling, Pittsburgh sports, and spending quality time with her family.
History of Burns & Burns Associates, Inc.
Burns & Burns Associates, Inc. was established in 1939 as the Burns Agency in Clarion County, Pa.
The firm was incorporated in 1963 and has grown to be one of the larger regional insurance brokerages in Pennsylvania with over sixty employees. The firm has nine locations across the state with offices in the cities of Clarion, Bradford, Clearfield, Erie, Meadville, Mercer, New Wilmington, Tionesta, and Warren.
Burns & Burns provides a full range of integrated insurance services including personal and commercial insurance, life, health, pension, financial planning services, and a full range of surety bonding.
In addition, Burns & Burns has developed a complete Loss Control Department to assist their clients. This approach has allowed the firm to gain recognition for the risk management approach it uses with both personal and commercial insurance clients.
Burns & Burns Dedicated to Clients
Burns & Burns is dedicated to providing their clients with the highest quality insurance services in the market today. They are committed to protecting their clients’ assets through superior products and a professional risk management approach.
This commitment to their clients also promotes value-added customer service that far exceeds industry standards.
Products Offered
Burns & Burns represents approximately fifty insurance carriers and regularly brokers business through several additional companies. Approximately sixty percent of premium volume written is for commercial clients. These commercial accounts include companies whose business is national and international in scope. The client list includes accounts in heavy construction, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare facilities, banking, mining, and wholesale distribution.
Burns & Burns has grown into a state-wide firm while retaining a commitment to participate actively in the local communities where its clients are located.
Their mission is to meet the needs of their clients for both personal and commercial insurance and financial planning. In order to achieve this mission, the company will continually seek to improve their insurance knowledge and aggressively market their services and products.
Burns & Burns continues to fulfill Henry Burns’ philosophy of always putting the client first by representing over 60 insurance carriers, providing a range of commercial and personal insurance coverages, taking continuing education courses to keep up on the latest insurance trends, and using a consultative approach with clients.
Burns & Burns Observes 80th Anniversary
This year Burns & Burns Associates, Inc. will observe their 80th anniversary as a full-service independent insurance agency.
Specifics for the celebration will be released at a later date.
More Information
For more information about Burns and Burns Associates, Inc. and their insurance services, please visit www.burnsandburns.com, call 814-226-8041 or stop in at a local office.
(Part Two of a series of articles on Burns & Burns Associates, Inc.)
